The alarm clock is ringing at 6:15 a.m. because of a soccer match of my favourite team Fortuna Düsseldorf in far away Germany. While relaxing at the pool I can listen to the radio broadcast of the match and read the live ticker via internet.
Really a perfect start to the day. No rain and my team wins the match. During breakfast we have the chance to watch some monkeys jumping through the trees nearby. That’s almost more exciting than the football live ticker in the internet. It’s great fun watching the monkeys with their babies on the back.
Bevor leaving the hotel for our last stopp we still enjoy one relaxing hour in the sun at the hotel pool.
First we have to drive back to Jaco the same way we came to Manuel Antonio three days ago. After the town of Jaco we turn to a new toll highway. What a driving feeling! The trip fromManuel Antonio to Alajuela finally takes us 2 ½ hours. In Alajuela we have a nice lunch in a soda (=small restaurant).
Afterwards we check in in hotel Rosa de America. It has a nice lush garden, our room is somewhat small, but o.k. for one night. The pool however is larger than usual but very dirty. Not really inviting. So we don’t go for a swim but just sit beside the pool and spend the afternoon reading and surfing the internet. Wifi works excelellent.
In the evening we take a taxi and drive to Martino Resort which has a good Italian restaurant. Although is is just a mile away from Rosa de America we don’t feel like walking in the dark because there is no sidewalk. Moreover the taxi is very cheap, just 1000 Colones (2$)
Martino Resort is a noble 5 star hotel. There are not many people eating in the restaurant and we get a table on the patio with a nice view over the giant swimming pool. Food is in line with our expectations and not overprized considering the high standard of this hotel. After desert we feel like an Irish Coffee, and the waiter confirms that this is available. A few minutes later the supposed Irish Coffee is served. But what’s that? Irish Coffee in frozen glasses? Somewhat puzzled I ask the waiter whether this is really an irish Coffee? “Irish Coffee?” is the surprise counter-question. “No, that’s Ice Coffee. We don’t have Irish Coffee.”
Well, that’s again a unique experience. Some day I will write a book about my Irish Coffee experiences. In South Africa I once got one without any whiskey.
Travelogue Costa Rica — Day 18, Sunday, 5th Dezember 2010