Oh Lord, keep me humble in the face of your magnificent creation,
and help me to walk in peace among all its living things.
This lovely bird seemed to be in prayer in the early morning light of a most gorgeous sunrise in Quebradas, near San Isidro Perez Zeledon, Costa Rica last week.
I must admit I understood its reverence. To see it creep up over the edge of the mountain was indeed humbling. Then to turn and see it shine across the face of Cristo Roca, Christ Rock, was very fulfilling to my soul.
The words to that famous song from Fiddler on the Roof may be true when we aren’t actually paying attention to all those brilliant sun events. It is all too easy to despise the sunrise in the wake of a thankless job and endless responsibility or to fear the setting sun when there is still much to be done. It is all forgotten when we are in Costa Rica where the sunsets are all so magnificent and the days so languid that time seems to actually slow down. This vacation was no different than our previous experiences, even when we lived in our little jungle home in Quepos. It was nothing unusual to be up before 5 am and to retire before 8 pm. No sun…not much to do unless one is “carousing around” at the local restaurants or bars which also close up early by American standards.
I wanted to use this return blog appearance to share some of this trip’s magical sun moments with you. I hope you enjoy them even though they lack the true luster of actually being there. I gave it my best shot my friends!
Of course our very first sunset had to be experienced at Barba Roja, still our favorite restaurant in Manuel Antonio, where we know many friends and continue to make new ones. If ever you make it to MA, be sure to dine there on a Tuesday night to enjoy their two for one burger special. They make the best burgers in town!
Another evening out found us at El Wagon, a restaurant owned by the Costa Verde folks who also own El Avion, a very unique restaurant that is housed in the body of an old C-123 Fairchild. That is another wonderful place to watch the sunset; but for this night we were in the mood for pizza and El Wagon tops the list for good pizza in town. I took this photo as the sunset peeked through the surrounding jungle onto our table.
We enjoyed this sunset while sharing celebratory drinks with our friend, Mike, who owns La Posada Jungle Bungalows. His Kentucky basketball team won their game and it was smiles all around! We sat at Hawg and Bill for a nice, cool evening of fun.
Driving back from a day trip to the beaches of Matapalo, we caught the setting sun on the highway over the palm farms. Another golden view of nature’s best work.
And we caught the finale once we reached Quepos
Sunset over Puerto Quepos
And the best (if there is such a thing) for last.
Our last sunset in Manuel Antonio was spent up on the hill at Ronny’s Place, sipping-of course-their famous Sangria.
My favorite night? Listening to Robbie Clark at the Too Bizarre Tiki Bar, owned and operated by new friends, Lee and Laura. My favorite moment? Getting to “jam” with Robbie himself. Thanks guys for a wonderful night.
Robbie let me hold his guitar! I can’t play a note. haha.
Sadly, one of Robbie’s band mates was lost to the world the next day. He was much loved and will be greatly missed by his friends.
Here’s to you Brad. Rock on in the land of eternal sunsets….
Pura Vida everyone…
Tropical Affair 