charliedoggett.net
Banana Azul is my favorite “Sunrise Place” and at first I chose one favorite from each day, but too many were alike, so I forgot representing each day, went back and came up with these that I really liked for no particular reasons – I just did! 🙂
And more . . .
Continue reading “Favorite Sunrises 2023”
Its legal here to photograph people in public, but for some reason I never want them to know I’m photographing them and actually seldom do – BUT on a public beach it is just too inviting. My “People Shots” are now a gallery within my developing trip gallery (above link) with 3 sub-galleries, each linked from the title of its sample photo below . . .
Maybe in a few more days I’ll have the whole trip gallery finished. A lot of photos made this time! 🙂
¡Pura Vida!
“To escape and sit quietly on the beach – that’s my idea of paradise.”
– Emilia Wickstead
Most years in September I make a week relaxation adventure in the “Caribe South” which refers to the southern half of the Atlantic coast of Costa Rica around Puerto Viejo de Talamanca and the smaller town of Manzanillo where I explore two national parks/refuges (Cahuita & Gandoca-Manzanillo) for birds, butterflies, monkeys, sloths and other nature, visit some of the Bribri indigenous villages, botanical gardens, and maybe this year a new butterfly garden (if my tour people say it is okay). 🙂
And not to ignore the northern Caribbean side of Costa Rica or Limón Province; that’s where the provincial capital and port city of Limón is located and then above that a favorite national park, Tortuguero, which I hope to return to in 2023! It’s “The Amazon of Costa Rica” or a river and beach based jungle rainforest full of incredible wildlife and other nature! I can’t wait to get back there! 🙂 So much to see and do here!
But this trip is mostly relaxing in the beachside Hotel Banana Azul, walking a forested beachside road (for sloths, birds, butterflies) and walks or just relaxation on the beach (I don’t swim or surf in the ocean anymore) and this is the only place I’ve found that gives a “Relaxation Massage” that is actually relaxing. 🙂 So it is my only get-a-way that is not totally inside a dense rain or cloud forest (though Cahuita & Gandoca-Manzanillo are dense rainforests), yet still nature-centered and very relaxing. I missed it in 2020 due to Covid and no flights there, but here’s a couple of photos from last year’s post-cancer retreat in the “Howler Suite” or Room #1. 🙂
And just one more of the many things I look forward to each year that I’m “Retired in Costa Rica,” from rainforest and cloud forest photo trips to cultural activities and enjoying my little flower garden in Atenas! I have achieved my idea of pure life in paradise! And this December I will celebrate 8 years of living here! 🙂
¡Pura Vida!
And that linked title takes you to this week’s Tico Times article about a community-wide band and dance team from Zarcero which will represent Costa Rica a second time in the Rose Parade, Pasadena, California.
Zarcero is a town (called pueblo here) that is a little smaller than Atenas and north of us. It is known for topiaries in their Central Park, cheese-making and this large and professional community band of all ages. If you are one of those Americans who always watch the Rose Parade on TV, be sure to watch for the Costa Rica band! 🙂
More photo views of “My Costa Rica” in
🙂
My daily nature post was earlier today with the skipper butterfly – now a personal update from cancer surgery & radiation therapy, plus the coming week that I’m excited about. 🙂
As we say here in Costa Rica, “Estoy mejor poco a poco.” I’m better little by little. Most of my taste has returned after losing all of it from radiation. Food is not quite as “tasty” as I remember it being, but so much better now and I can eat almost anything. And my swallowing ability has also greatly improved if not completely normal now.
I still need to sleep long hours at night and sometime nap in the day with not near the high energy I used to have physically. But again it is so much better than it was at the end of June! And I’m still having to accept that being 81 years old might have a little bit to do with my lack of energy or physical ability now. 🙂
Overall I am feeling so much better than I was going into that July trip, plus this trip will be to flat land with no hills to climb! And generally a more “laid back” or relaxing place than my July mountain-top experience! 🙂 Plus right now I’m planning on no tours or side trips, just relax in the forests and beaches of the hotel which I overview below if you read on after this 2019 photo from there . . .
 |
| “The Howler Suite” at Banana Azul Hotel I wanted this room last September but not available – very popular! So I now have it reserved for 5 nights this coming September! Planning ahead sometimes pays off! 🙂 Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica |
Also on the Caribbean side, across the border in Panama is the popular tourist area of Bocas del Toro. I now have a full week or 7 nights in June at Tranquilo Bay Eco Adventure Lodge:
 |
| In addition to BIRDING there are beautiful BEACHES & ISLANDS to visit by boat + SNORKELING Tranquilo Bay, Bocas del Toro, Panama |
 |
| KAYAKS available at all times for bay & rivers + miles of HIKING TRAILS for more birds! It’s the kind of place with plenty for me to do just on the hotel grounds. Great anticipation! Tranquilo Bay, Bocas del Toro, Panama |
See this cool video about Tranquilo Bay
And keep reading this blog RETIRED IN COSTA RICA as the adventures just keep getting bigger and better. I will truly never be bored here and never run out of something to do or photograph! I don’t understand why everyone doesn’t retire here! I’m sure having fun! And seldom repeat a place!
Kind of funny: The other day some new students of Spanish at Su Espacio were in class and saw one of my photo books there. One student said “I know him. I read his blog about Costa Rica!” So David enjoyed telling me that I am now famous! 🙂 This blog has only 80 subscribers plus drop-in visitors vary from 50 to 300 a day, so really not that big, but I’m glad that some considering retirement here are reading it plus others and hope it is helpful in your “Costa Rica decision process.”
 |
| Downtown Map located most businesses Puerto Viejo de Talamanca, Costa Rica |
 |
| If you haven’t figured it out yet, Imperial is the main beer company in Costa Rica and thus makes many of the business signs! All Over Costa Rica |
 |
| Many Dead Leaves were on the path walking through Cahuita National Park and I decided they were beautiful, even “underfoot.” Cahuita National Park, Caribe, Costa Rica |
I forgot to share another category of photos made on this week’s trip. And I know, I pick strange things to photograph sometimes, but I think you might like this little sub-gallery in my trip gallery:
 |
| Beach HibiscusCahuita National Park, Caribe, Costa Rica |
 |
| For my last morning’s sunrise I watch fishermen go out. And . . . Below are four categories of my photos not shown yet all linked to sub-galleries in this trip gallery with more bikes, birds, nature and culture photos. |
 |
| Caribe Bicycles The Major Mode of Transportation Puerto Viejo, Caribe, Costa Rica |
 |
| Masked Tityra Samasati Reserve Actually we walked down a rural road in front of the reserve. Near Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica |
 |
| 3-Toed Sloth Cahuita National Park Near Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica |
 |
| Interesting Signs Puerto Viejo de Talamanca, Costa Rica |
These all represent things I found interesting in the Costa Rica Caribe and made a lot of photos of each. The linked title takes you to a sub-gallery on that subject with most birds in the Samasati gallery. Or to just thumb through my whole Caribe Trip, go to the trip gallery:
 |
| I walked from those blue hills around the bay to this town beach. Puerto Viejo, Caribe, Costa Rica |
 |
| The bend in the bay before getting to the town. Puerto Viejo, Caribe, Costa Rica |
 |
| I get to cross this stream coming into the bay and see the one-lane bridge on the road running parallel with beach. Puerto Viejo, Caribe, Costa Rica |
 |
| Approaching town there are runners & this abandoned barge. Puerto Viejo, Caribe, Costa Rica |
 |
| Near every hotel is this standard sign warning of undertow. Puerto Viejo, Caribe, Costa Rica |
 |
| A faster way to get to town? 🙂 Puerto Viejo, Caribe, Costa Rica |
 |
| Great Kiskadee One of six species of birds seen along the beach walk. Puerto Viejo, Caribe, Costa Rica |
 |
| Semipalmated Plover For birders, yes, similar to Wilson’s Plover except this one has orange legs & orange on base of bill (click to enlarge) Puerto Viejo, Caribe, Costa Rica |
 |
| Non-breeding Western Sandpiper Puerto Viejo, Caribe, Costa Rica |
 |
| Breeding Western Sandpiper Puerto Viejo, Caribe, Costa Rica |
 |
| Whimbrel Puerto Viejo, Caribe, Costa Rica |
 |
| Brown Pelican Puerto Viejo, Caribe, Costa Rica |
 |
| Great-tailed Grackle male Puerto Viejo, Caribe, Costa Rica |
I was high-energy yesterday and did more than I should probably, but doing very little today to make up for it! Thus I have a lot of photos still from yesterday to share and may do another post tonight. Every new place is an adventure and full of photo-ops!