Pura Vida my friend!

I just realized that I need to write you about "Pura Vida": It means "hey, thank you, you are welcome, good bye, take care, and pretty much everything in that sense"... 

The tico (Costa Ricans call themselves ticos) culture, life style, understanding of life and philosophy; which means relax, enjoy, take it easy, be happy because no matter how fucked up your situation is, there is always less fortunate ones than you are; consider them, be grateful and cheer yourself up, let go, it will be ok... and much more than this... 

We can be so mean to nature most of the time... Ticos aren't... They love, own and protect it. They are happy people, their lives are filled with laughter and each other and not material things. 

Tico people live by this teaching: Pura Vida! "Things will be ok, you are not alone, life is, make time to love, to live, remember why you are here for, don't forget where you are coming from, respect nature, take care of each other, consider others..." 

I have not yet seen an angry or yelling person on the streets. People are filled with joy of life, enthusiasm and kindness. Especially women. We became friends with a couple of ladies and their babies on the bus!.. 

Of course these guys aren't all angels! From time to time we came across with some uneasy, unfriendly people here and there but even their vibes weren't that bad... 

Where does "Pura Vida" come from? 

 "According to a study of the expression by Anna Marie Trester, a film called Pura vida came to Costa Rica from Mexico in 1956, directed by Gilberto Martínez Solares. In the movie, “Pura vida” is the expression of eternal optimism used by a comic character, played by the actor Antonio Espino, who unfortunately can’t seem to do anything right. While a small population used it then, the phrase “Pura vida” was used nationwide by 1970." http://pocketcultures.com/2010/01/26/costa-rica-is-“pura-vida”/

I wish that the world adapted this philosophy just like Ticos did... And that's why I think that everyone should visit Costa Rica at least once in their lifetime... 

So, Pura Vida mi amigo! 

Being on the Road... Costa Rica (17) Santa Elena - Monteverde (2)

The hotel we are staying at is called "Forest Dreams"
This morning was kind of dreamy. We had some pretty amazing visitors at our balcony!! :)) 

They don't jump on you, nor bite you. If they are scared of you, they open their mouth and show you their teeth with an angry expression on their face. But that's not because they will attack you or anything; t's just because they are afraid and restless. When you start radiating peace and make sure that you are no threat to them, you can just pass by or feed them. That's what we did. :)) 

Have you ever seen a monkey positioned himself or herself like this? 

This place is truly a forest dream lodge! Even hummingbirds stop by very often... Hummingbirds are so beautiful and very colorful. I can't take a proper picture of them because they move so quickly. 

My pictures of them 

Hummingbirds (I didn't take this one)

And some pictures from our day at Santa Elena today: 

It's nice to munch on some good guacamole and tortilla chips at the end of the day! :)) 

Being on the Road... Costa Rica (16) Monteverde (1)

We took the bus from Quepos to Puntarenas and from Puntarenas to Monteverde without having to go back to San Jose. Public buses run quiet often from one place to another and it's no hassle at all. 

On our way, at one of the bus stations we spotted this bird :)) 

Costa Rica is a natural heaven. Houses are small, people are cheerful. There is not so much in terms of things, but people seem to enjoy a rich life. For example, today the bus was packed and one of the aunties took somebody else's child on her lap so that he didn't get tired standing up all the way. People laugh together in the bus just because some silly thing happened, somebody said something or did something to laugh about. People mind each other's business and I love it. In Anatolian culture things also work like that: None is a stranger. I assume that it's a (the-so-called) undeveloped country thing... The more countries "develop" and the more people start thinking that they are "better"; the more stiff, lonelier and more serious they become. I wonder which is more developed, really... 

For example scenes like this are very rare to come across in Europe or in the U.S., if it happens at all. At least I never really have witnessed people who are stranger to one another being so close together. You barely even see people smiling on the streets, let alone laughing with others in a bus... (Unless it's a tour, a course, an excursion or an organization of some sort) Here, in Costa Rica a lot of people smile and even most are ready to laugh at your stupid jokes :)) 

Being here and being exposed to so much nature and natural people, I can understand my uneasiness living in the vibes of Istanbul (I love to be a tourist in Istanbul though!) and eagerness to settle down in Bodrum and travel to warm destinations as much as possible. 

I believe that most of us do feel that urge to move to the suburbs the moment we are exposed to nature and then immediately we forget it once we return to the the craziness of our city life and that urge only stays as a wish... 

Anyway, to cut the story short, our trip was long but quiet easy. The more we climbed up the mountains, the air cooled off and this beautiful sunset and an amazing Costa Rican dinner was waiting for us! :)) 

Sunset from Sabor Tico - Monteverde 

My veggie plate was so good 

Town of Santa Elena

Being on the Road... Costa Rica (15) Manuel Antonio & Quepos

When we travel, we don't like to rush anything. For Manuel Antonio, 2 days is enough. But if you walk to sink into the region, take 4. 

Here is our day today :)) 

Our good old receptionist drove us to a place in Quepos and dropped us off at a hiking trail. We did climb up and down and witnessed the most incredible views of all time. It was not an easy walk but it was well worth it!! You can't put it all in the pictures. Especially the feel of it. Briefly we can call it "awe"... 

We spent the afternoon at the local market, got some mangos and papayas & enjoyed an amazing meal at the Mexican place listening to live country music :)) 

My veggie burrito was good and this pico de gallo was the best so far! 

To do list Quepos - Manuel Antonio: 

- Watch the view from the bar at Mariposa Hotel & visit the Art Gallery it's nice 

- Go to Playa Biesanz (it's beautiful and not that crowded) plus, the walk down is so nice 

- Take a walk in Quepos, our favorite place is "Dos Locos" we liked "El Gran Escape", also

- Manuel Antonio National Park is a must, but you will already do that :)) 

- If you like, drop me a note and I can tell you where that romantic secret beach is (When I was there, I felt like I was in the movie "Blue Lagoon") 

Being on the Road... Costa Rica (14) Manuel Antonio National Park

"Just be a part of the green for a day or two

And absolutely immerse in being none  

Let go of your tiny, chattering, wannabe mind

And watch how small you are 

Trying to be someone..." 

Manuel Antonio National Park - Playa Gemelas 

We had to hide our food from the monkeys here :)) 

People tell you how magical some places are and you go there, you don't quiet find that kind of magic. Costa Rica is not one of those places. 

The only thing about this region is the restaurant & supermarket prices. You eat really basic food at a really high price. It's too obvious that once everything was much more affordable but at some point it got crazy and prices rose dramatically. I would recommend to go to Quepos to eat. (Prices are still high but not as much as at Manuel Antonio) 

Other than having to chase after your food, this place is a heaven and it offers anything and everything you can ever expect from the nature to offer... White sand beaches, warm waters, approachable wilderness, trails to hike in its untouched jungles, tropical weather, relaxed and happy people and the feel of a motherly hug... Here are all that we have witnessed today and all the photos are taken by me :)) Yes, all the animals voluntarily came that close... 

Meet my new friends! We hang out together all day yesterday 

Our bambi friend :)) 

a medicinal plant - i forgot the name 

Just hangin'

Family of naughty racoons

Love of Blue & Green 

"Yeah I am munchin' on people's food. Yep I did steal some chips. They say it's not good for me. Who cares?.."

 Playa Espadilla Sur

Just posing'... 

This mind-blowing sunset surprised us at the end of our walk yesterday... 

Being on the Road... Costa Rica (13) Manuel Antonio (2)

Today was an exceptional day. 

Upon our receptionist's referral, we walked down the jungle road across the street from our hotel and reached one of the most beautiful secret beaches on earth. He told us that only locals knew about that place. We arrived to our no-name beach after a 45-minute walk inside the jungle; in which playful white-faced capuchins freely hang around. 

And then we ended up at a private beach... A dream-beach for just the two of us and the water was warm... In wilderness, I'd usually expect some sort of discomfort. But to my surprise, there was none: no bugs, no insects, no spiders, no cold waters, no crabs, nothing... Just the hugging arms of Costa Rica and the mind blowing, comfortable wilderness... 

One of the most romantic mornings, ever... 

Hike in the jungle

The best no-name beach of all times...  

Panoramic view 

White-faced capuchins are like the cats of Istanbul :)) 

In the second half of our day, after our papaya & banana lunch 

My absolutely favorite fruit! 

We head to Playa Biesanz... 

It was not that private, but sure was beautiful, too. :)) 

Our hike to Biesanz Beach 

We haven't yet been to the National Park yet but on our way to the beach; we spotted these two :))  

Playa Biesanz 

We had dinner at a place called, El Arado (Costa Rican food) my vegetarian plate was fresh but without much aroma. Definitely didn't worth the price (12USD) Go to Quepos to eat!! :)) 

Our sunset was mind-blowing... 

A note about restaurants in general in Manuel Antonio: Basic food, quiet expensive. 

Being on the Road... Costa Rica (12) Manuel Antonio & Quepos (1)

Today we took the 9am bus down to Manuel Antonio. It's only 3 hour drive from San Jose and there are direct buses that go here. Trip was pretty easy. 

We checked in to our eco-friendly sweet hotel, Plaza Yara that is located right in the jungle. (Pretty much everything in this area is in the jungle, anyway.) But I totally recommend this hotel, it's exceptional. 

Hotel Plaza Yara

We took our time to discover Quepos and Manuel Antonio today. We will go and get in the National Park tomorrow. Restaurant prices are a little too high, however if you do a little walk around and research you can find really good places for reasonable prices, too. 



We had a delicious pita falafel sandwich watching the breathtaking view at Emilios Café.

View from Emilio's Café

and some delicious quesadillas at El Gran Escape in Quepos listening to the symphony of chirping birds. 

Walk down to Quepos from our hotel was just amazing... 

Streets of Quepos

Quepos