Today is post #1850…In touch with the world in a small way, matters in such a big way…

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The first time we started noticing Bougainvillea was in Kenya in 2013. They grow prolifically in the hot, humid climate. They aren’t relatively as abundant in Costa Rica but do thrive in this humid rainforest climate.

“Sightings from the Veranda in Costa Rica”

The mountains impede our view of the final set of the sun, but we do get some gorgeous color in the process.

As I began today, I noticed that this would be post #1850. To think that 1850 times I’ve sat at my laptop sharing morsels of our everyday lives of world travel, including the seven months before our ever leaving Minnesota in 2012, it seems overwhelming. The first post was on March 14, 2012, which may be found here. We left Minnesota on October 31, 2012, and that day’s post may be found here.

Yesterday, when speaking with my sister Susan (Las Vegas), she asked, “If someone hired you to write 1850 stories with photos, every few days at the onset and every day a short time after that, could you have been able to do it?”

As we continued on our steep walk, we spotted a small vineyard in the neighborhood.

I contemplated the answer for only a moment to emphatically state, “There’s no way! The stress I would have felt to work at such a daunting task continually would have left me exhausted, stressed, and frustrated.”

Funny thing. Without a boss, along with the opportunity to write here at my own pace, in my own time, without pressure and expectations, this daily (seven days a week) undertaking never feels stressful or demanding.

In every direction, we’re surrounded by greenery. It’s breathtaking.

Preparing for each day’s story and photos has become a full-time job in many ways. The actual writing of the day’s story takes little time compared to the required research and fact-checking (thanks, Tom!), the editing, the manipulation of the appearance of the story and photos, looking for photo ops, taking the photos, managing the photos and then putting it all together. 

After completing the post, usually by noon or earlier (on days I have an early start), I respond to dozens of email messages and comments. (We receive many more email messages than comments on the posts). Many of the responses require additional research from our prior posts on the web.

Some of the homes in this gated community are not within the confines of a private gate. Nevertheless, it’s a safe area, and many residents aren’t concerned about an added layer of security.

In many ways, it’s a full-time job, one we’re both thinking about and planning, along with all the details of planning our next move in our travels while living amid the location-of-the-moment. Over this past 65 months of doing the posts, it’s become as much of an integral part of our travels as the travel itself.

I explained to Susan that knowing we have readers worldwide “traveling along with us,” we never feel lonely or isolated. No, I don’t often “go to lunch with the girls,” and Tom doesn’t meet “the boys for coffee” amid railroad talk. 

Photos don’t depict how steep a road is when walking. The road leading to our villa is a nearly impossible climb for the faint of heart.

We also have readers contacting us every day with precious morsels of wisdom, suggestions, and assisting us in naming birds and flowers, as was the case of friend Louise from Kauai, who wrote that yesterday’s bird photo was a Hoffman’s Woodpecker.  Thanks, Louise!

And then, of course, there’s Facebook, which I must admit I don’t spend much time working on, although I’m quite the lurker.  Adamantly opposed to negative political talk, regardless of political affiliation, I love the playful and often funny videos, along with the more severe wildlife photos and videos.

Many homes have pools that are meticulously maintained.

I’ve recently had considerable pleasure in watching “live” safari videos from Kruger National Park, where we’ll be in a mere six months, again living next door to the massive reserve in my favorite place in the world Marloth Park, South Africa. Soon…

As our saga continues, we often shake our heads in wonder over the vast number of readers who’ve followed us from the beginning. Who knew? We never planned it that way, and yet, here we are feeling so much a part of all of you in whatever small role we may play in your daily online reading.

We walked down this steep hill beyond the bend but then had to walk back up.  Whew!

We have all of our readers to thank for becoming such a vital part of our day-to-day lives, regardless of how quiet and mundane some of our days maybe, to the more adventuresome and entertaining aspects that other days present.

The next day, we’ll share an exciting and advantageous experience we’ll be adding to our repertoire of world adventures. Please check back!

Photo from one year ago today, August 19, 2016:

This martial arts ring in our neighborhood in Phuket, Thailand, was quite s surprise to find.  Martial Arts is a highly regarded sport in Thailand. For more photos and details, please click here.

Gentle musings on a quiet day…A walk along the steep road in the neighborhood…

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Each home in our gated community has exquisite and well-maintained landscaping befitting the rainforest surroundings. We don’t always live in such desirable surroundings, as seen in our photos in Thailand one year ago.

“Sightings from the Veranda in Costa Rica”

Our friend Louise, whom we met in Kauai, Hawaii, identified this bird as a Hoffmann’s Woodpecker. Thanks, Louise, we appreciate the information. I took this photo while sitting on the sofa on the veranda while working on a post. I knew if I stood, it would fly away, so I stayed put. 

This morning by 5:00 am, we were both up and out of bed, ready to start our day. With no daylight savings in Costa Rica, it was already light, and we could hear the cows mooing, the roosters crowing and endless varieties of birds singing their usual tunes. It’s a great way to start the day.

Costa Rica is all about lush greenery and other bright colors.

Oh, I don’t mean to imply everything is perfect in Costa Rica. Like any country we encounter in our world travels, each has its problems; poverty, crime, environmental issues, and more. 

But, sitting atop this hill, partway up a mountain in this dreamy property, it’s easy to let the realities of everyday life waft away. Yet, oddly, the responsibilities and tasks we’ve been undertaking since our arrival have grounded us as they have throughout this past almost five years. 

We had to walk up some seriously steep hills to take today’s photos, quickly as vertical as they are, in Campanario, Madeira, where we lived for almost three months in 2014.

In a good way, it’s been helpful we haven’t had access to a car which has kept us on point and determined to complete all the financial tasks and “paperwork” we’ve had before us. 

By the time we pick up the more permanent rental car in San Jose on the 28th, we’ll be prepared to change our focus on exploring and enjoying ourselves more freely, especially knowing we can come and go at a moment’s notice.

Many of the homes in the gated community are also gated for an added layer of security, as is the case of our villa. The main gate is operated by a guard 24 hours a day.

We never wanted our lives to feel as if we’re living in some dream or fantasy. Instead, it’s the harsh realities we discover in each country coupled with those of everyday life that we all experience, including rare illness and discomfort, that allow us those special moments, that unique sighting, and that perfect photo that makes this life feel “real” and purposeful.

Embarking on this life is not unlike falling in love. In the beginning, the adrenalin is flowing, the hearts are beating, and the enthusiasm is difficult to harness. Now, like after being in love for a while, we’ve settled into a gentle acceptance and appreciation that far surpasses that initial sense of obsession and heart-pounding passion.

Although not seen in this photo, there are dozens of butterflies fluttering nearby wherever there are flowers. 

We no longer think about how “brave” we are (we were) to tackle this lifestyle. Instead, we now think of making logical and practical decisions that ultimately will enhance our experiences.

Oh, don’t get me wrong…we haven’t lost a morsel of our enthusiasm and excitement for living in the moment nor in imagining the next.  But, it’s become like that magical moment when the in-love couple is in a crowd, each engaged with others to suddenly look up when their eyes lock in a knowing embrace that only time and memories can understand. We do that with each other and with our lives.

We notice various types of “clay” roofs on the homes in the gated neighborhood, including this less rounded style.

This early morning when I found myself peering over the veranda railing mesmerized by the sights and sounds of the vast Alajuela Valley that stretches much further than the eye can see, a wave of wonderfulness washed over me.

A profound awareness flooded my mind as I was reminded that we don’t have to live close to the sea in our world travels.  Contentment and total fulfillment may be found inland as long as we’re surrounded by nature.

This appears to be an older type of roof material, more rounded with natural clay.

Perhaps, that’s why when we select a home for a two or three-month stay, 90% of the time, we choose houses, not apartments or condos. At the first light of day, the views we embrace become imprinted in our hearts and minds as the purpose and powerful meaning we glean from our world travels.

Today, as always, we continue, our eyes peeled to the canopy of this rain- forest-lush country, our ears peaked to the slightest new sounds, and our hearts filled with the wonders of it all. We’re grateful. Eternally grateful.

Thank you for sharing it with us!

Photo from one year ago today, August 18, 2016:

The unique shell on the left is US $722, THB 25,000, with the shell on the right at US $808, THB 28,000.  They’d fit in the palm of one’s hand.  Interesting to see.  For the last of the seashell photos, please click here.

Future world travelers…What does it take besides a willingness to “let go”?..

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Ulysses, the groundskeeper, brought us these fresh limes this morning plucked from a tree on the property.  There’s an electric juicer here, so I juiced the lime and mixed the juice with my water and a slice of the lime. Delicious!

“Sightings from the Veranda in Costa Rica”

Another exquisite sunset from the veranda.

Over these past years, we’ve had countless potential future world travelers contact us with questions. Many have been in the process of selling their homes or contemplating doing so. Some have decided to keep their homes and rent them to see how they feel after traveling for a year or two.

Many “baby boomers” and others have decided to downsize, keep a small apartment or condo with enough of their “stuff” should they choose this life isn’t for them. This way, they can return to a life intact in a desirable location containing their familiar belongings. 

Some who decide to become “homeless,” per se, put their belongings in a storage facility, providing them with peace of mind should they find the nomadic life is not for them in a year or two.

The formal dining room is lovely, but we’ve yet to dine at the table.

Those that can afford to do so may choose to keep their homes as a base and travel outside their home country for a while, returning every few months or so to take care of their homes, spend time with family, attend to their financial responsibilities, repack and plan for the next adventure.

All of these scenarios and many more consist of world travel. All of these scenarios will provide the adventure seeker and self-proclaimed explorer an opportunity to see the world.

However, when many travelers contact us, our answers may not be befitting their chosen path. Therefore, we try to keep this in mind and address the solutions to accommodate their personal choices.

Beautiful built-ins containing many treasures from Bev and Sam’s world travels.

Traveling for a month or two, staying short-term in resorts and hotels in tourist areas, and even perhaps traveling to a new location every week or two is far removed from our reality. 

Of course, we encourage everyone who can get outside of their “comfort zone” to explore whatever it may be that “trips their trigger” (no pun or political reference intended). 

Whether it’s sightseeing in your hometown, something few people ever do or visiting a nearby state for a weekend, we all benefit from getting away from the day-to-day stresses that can be suffocating. Unfortunately, we felt this creeping up during the nine weeks we spent in the USA;  traffic, noise, smog, pushy people, and waiting in long lines for almost everything.

This pretty plant in the dining room is situated next to one of two speakers for the sound system.

We’ve yet encountered a couple who took this leap of faith with no home, no stuff, no storage, with no end in sight; health and longevity providing.  Oh, we’ve met couples “out in the world” who’s let go of all their worldly possessions and plan to travel for a year or two. 

But, we’ve yet to meet the couple who’ve gone to the extremes that we have. That’s not to say there’s anything special about us. There’s not.  Perhaps, we just were in a headspace that has made this life meaningful and comfortable for us.

Indeed, my vastly renewed health after changing my diet (six years ago this month) after 25 years of chronic pain was highly instrumental. Perhaps, Tom’s good pension from 42 plus years on the railroad was highly instrumental. Finally, maybe, my desire to document, write, and share our story played some role.

Bev and Sam have also traveled to Africa, returning with many handmade works of art.

Perhaps, above all, the commonality Tom and I shared and continue to share in our passion for wildlife, nature, and culture was highly instrumental in making us the right couple to live this often challenging and always unusual life…a life of travel with no end in sight.

We had no idea at the onset that both of us would continue to find this lifestyle suitable and fulfilling. While we were planning, we committed to one another that should one of us want to “stop,” the other would agree to do so without issue.  Now we laugh when we jokingly ask one another, “Do you want to stop?”

We’ve heard many stories of how couples who seemed compatible in their travel desires have found after a while. However, they can’t seem to make the 24/7 commitment and decision-making process work for them.

The dining room is decorated with many fine works of art and decorator items.

Regardless of one’s motivation or method of traveling the world, each person/couple will decide for themselves what works for them, economically, emotionally, and spiritually in satisfying what for some is an innate desire to travel. Therefore, the terms and conditions determined and established for such a life are unique from one person, one couple to another.

For us, it’s the uncertainty; it’s the complexity. It’s the sense of adventure. Although to a degree, it’s an element of risk in stretching ourselves to our limits based on our age, ability, and health; all play a vital role in making this life joyful for us.

The sizeable exquisite table seats eight.  It surely could be fun to host a dinner party for eight.

No, we don’t do as much sightseeing as some travelers. But, browse through our archives over this past almost five years, and you’ll find how much we’ve been sightseeing and exploring. 

For us, that’s not what it’s all about. We love being able to immerse ourselves into the daily lifestyle of the locals living nearby us at any given time. We love learning, researching, and exploring to discover the nuances and intricacies of life in other lands.  We come away with knowledge, stories, and photos we’ll be able to carry with us wherever we may go. 

Most of all, having the opportunity to share our day-to-day lives with all of you in words and photos has enhanced our travels in a truly indescribable way. 

The view from the dining room is not unlike the sweeping views from most of the rooms in this unique property.

Even if, our dreams of world travel are different from one another, we’re always delighted to share tidbits of information we’ve gleaned from our experiences, maybe saving you hours of research in the process.

Thanks to every one of our readers for traveling along with us, and please, never hesitate to share your stories or questions with us. We love hearing from YOU!

Photo from one year ago today, August 12, 2016:

Not our photo. Police and investigators searched for clues after a bombing not far from us in Phuket.  Many victims were taken to area hospitals. See this link for details. Here’s our story one year ago.

Willing to let go?…Minnesota Vikings Football season…A must for Tom to see..

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Starfruit only has six carbs per fruit.  A little slice of this might be nice in my water.

“Sightings from the Veranda in Costa Rica”

This morning while we lounged in bed at 6:00 am, the sounds of the early day were music to our ears; cows mooing, roosters crowing, birds singing, and church bells chiming.  Magical.

Undoubtedly, traveling the world without an end in sight has given us both a degree of happiness we never anticipated at this point in life and a purpose far beyond our wildest dreams.

However, life is an amalgam of trade-offs, and to accomplish this dream we-never-knew-we-had-until-it-happened…we gave up so much. The opportunity to live this nomadic lifestyle was astounding; on our terms, in our own time, at this particular time of our lives, as retired senior citizens with the financial means (in a relatively economical manner with a strict budget).

Gnarly tree in the yard.

In the process, each of us had to decide what aspects of our old lives we were willing to forfeit (beyond being with beloved family and friends) as impractical, costly, or inconvenient. Incorporating those items, we refused to forgo became a continuing challenge in one way or another.

Years ago, a reader wrote a private email suggesting I cut my hair, stop doing my nails and pedicures, and dispense with wearing makeup. Wouldn’t that make traveling more accessible, they offered? 

Starfruit that has fallen from the tree to the ground.

I laughed. Good grief, I gave up having a home, my family and friends, my worldly possessions, and a plethora of conveniences to living this life. Why would I give up who I am and have always been?  I’ve always prepared myself for the day by my standards, on my terms. 

Why would traveling dictate that I suddenly change my way of putting myself together? It would be as incredible as someone who’s never used mascara or lipstick and, happily so, to start doing so just because they’re traveling suddenly. We are who we are, and we have the right to be so.

The view of the Central Valley is constantly changing based on weather conditions.

So what if every few weeks, I do my nails with products I buy from the US and have shipped in our usual box of supplies once or twice a year? Who cares if I shop at the local market for the cosmetics I now use instead of a department store as I did in my old life? No one. No one cares.

As for Tom, he too, gave up “things” he enjoyed…reading the physical copy of the daily and Sunday newspaper, owning a car, putzing around in the yard, stopping at Super America in the morning for a delicious Super Mom’s doughnut, and most of all…watching Minnesota Vikings football games and following all the hoopla that surrounds it.

A side view of the villa. The outdoor kitchen is located below the veranda.

During our first Vikings season of world travels, Tom signed up at NFL Game Pass with a bit of frustration over its inconsistency and nuances yet to be corrected by the service.  We’d written an earlier post on this topic four years ago on August 8, 2013 (coincidentally, almost to today’s date), which can be found here. 

Over these past years, we’ve written about this topic to some degree every year, as Tom deliberates whether or not he’ll sign up again. The original pricing for the season for only one team (excluding possible playoff and Super Bowl games) was US $169 (CRC 97,388).

We’ve heard their hilarious clicking sounds and seen plenty of gecko poop, but this was the first I’d seen. Earlier that day, Tom spotted the colorful Gold Dust Day Gecko, our favorite, as shown in this photo below that we took in Maui in 2014.  
This is a Gold Dust Day Gecko that we found on the wall in the lanai during a storm. He looked at up me as I shot this photo. Hopefully, we’ll find such a colorful species here in Costa Rica.

Last year NFL Game Pass gave him a special deal when they no longer offered the “one team only package.”  They gave him all the NFL teams package for the previous year’s price of $169 (CRC 97,388).

This year as he prepared to sign up again, he noticed the price had increased to US $199 (CRC 114,676), and he hesitated to sign up. However, he had it set up in their system to perform an automatic renewal.  When he tried after several attempts to cancel the automatic renewal, it wouldn’t allow him to do so.

Finally, he had to contact them to cancel his automatic renewal. They instructed him to follow the steps he’d already completed to no avail. Again, he sent them an email, asking he be removed entirely, which they did.  Frustration set in. Was this worth it?

We’ve seen these flowering trees in most tropical climates.  My friend Colleen wrote and reminded me that this is the Africa Flame Tree. Thanks. dear friend!

On Friday night, I signed up under my name for US $124 (CRC 71,456), and now he’ll be able to watch all the teams if he so chooses. Most likely, the price will increase next year under my name, but for now, this is fine. 

(By the way, this service only works outside North America. We have to turn off our VPN showing we’re in the USA for the app to work for us).

The first preseason game will be on August 10th, this Thursday evening. We’ll watch it on the 80 inch (203 cm) flat-screen TV in the screening room by plugging in our HDMI cord from his laptop. With only a one or two-hour time difference from locations where the games will be played, we’ll be able to watch the games live.

Another view of low-lying clouds in the early morning.

When we spent from 2015 to 2017 in the South Pacific, the time differences were different by hours and by one day due to the International Dateline. For example, Tom would often begin watching a game around 10:00 am, Australia time, on a Monday instead of when it may have been playing in the US on a Sunday.

In any case, he’s good to go this Thursday. In November, he’ll miss several games when we’re on a 30-day back-to-back cruise in South America. However, he’ll be able to watch the games on the app after they’ve played, once the cruise ends in Buenos Aires on December 23rd (coincidentally, Tom’s 65th birthday).

Today, we’re planning to head out by taxi around noon. It appears there’s a Walmart store not too far from here. My flat-iron broke (it lasted five years), and that would be the most logical place to replace it (yep, one of my “necessary devices” even though I travel the world) and hopefully, if they have a grocery department, we can find some whole cream for the coffee.

Enjoy your cup of coffee or tea with us today or next time you have a chance to stop by and read our snippets of daily life “in the world.”

Photo from one year ago today, August 7, 2016:

After narrow two lanes roads in Bali, these wider roads in Phuket are more accessible to maneuver, especially with less traffic than in Bali. Phuket wasn’t quite like I remembered it when I traveled there for three weeks, 30 years ago (before Tom). For more photos, please click here.

Magical moments…Early morning wonders including some scary things…

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Before sunrise, we captured this cloudy scene

“Sightings from the Veranda in Costa Rica”

These low-lying clouds were our first sighting from the veranda this morning.

If we never left this property, the exquisite La Perla de  Atenas, but had the views and wildlife surrounding us as we do here in the Central Valley, the canton/province known as Alajuela, we’d be content.

Each hour that is something magical occurring, whether it’s two or three vultures soaring overhead, referred to as “Zopilotes” by the Costa Ricans, or a flock of colorful parrots gently landing in a nearby tree only to disappear before I can stand with the camera for a shot.

This morning we were both up and out of bed well before 6:00 am. Within minutes, I grabbed the camera for stunning views of the mountain’s low-lying clouds, reminiscent of the clouds we discovered while living in Campanario, Madeira, Portugal, beginning in May 2014. Click here for one of the links illustrating the unbelievable clouds rolling in from the sea.

Costa Rica is just like we imagined;  lush rainforests, many birds and wildlife, and rapidly changing climates.

At times, the sounds of the birds are almost deafening, which we couldn’t appreciate more. Then, silence for a moment, only to have it begin again. We can’t stop smiling.

At first, we didn’t notice many insects. As the days pass, we find many ugly-looking creatures slithering on the floors or up the walls, some venomous, most not. 

As was the case in Africa, it pays to watch where one walks, whether it’s on a wet slippery floor on the stone of the veranda from the most recent daily rain during this rainy season or the presence of venomous centipedes, spiders, or other insects, comparable to those we regularly encountered in Africa. One can’t be too careful. 

It’s surprising to see how low the clouds settle in the rainforests.

Over these past years, our apprehension and fear of insects have dissipated to one of sensible caution and respect for the protective poisons some insects and animals possess as a means of protecting their survival. In most cases, leaving them alone is sufficient in avoiding a trip to a hospital after a potential life-threatening bite.

Costa Rica has many venomous creatures, including colorful frogs, such as the Poison Dart Frog, the dreaded Fleur-de-Lance snake, the Eyelash Viper Snake, and the Brazilian Wandering Spider, all of which may be seen at this somewhat playful site with warnings of a variety of dangerous creatures in the country.

The scenery from the veranda is breathtaking, often changing within minutes. I attempt to keep the camera nearby at all times, although at times, it’s across the room, and I can’t get to it quickly enough for the sighting.

This centipede was moving so quickly I was hardly able to get a photo, let alone a decent shot.

As for sightseeing which we plan to do soon, we’ve discovered a solution based on the suggestion of our house managers, Aad and Marian. We can rent a car for around US $32 (CRC 18,386.72) a day which includes all fees, taxes, and insurance, or, if booked for several days (five or more), includes free delivery and return from the villa.

This way, we can plan all of our outings for the days when we rent the car. This is much more cost-effective than paying outrageous car rental fees and the cost of booking tours we can essentially do independently.

This upcoming week will be busy with tax stuff, business, financial matters, and future bookings. Once completed, we’ll be free to sightsee at our leisure. In the interim, we relish the outstanding scenery and exciting sights and sounds directly witnessed from the villa.

Have a blissful day!

Photo from one year ago today, August 6, 2016:

Across and down the street from our villa, a woman washed her face outside near the road. We wondered if perhaps she didn’t have running water. For more photos, please click here.

Atenas, a small village, rich in culture and history…

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A church across the valley.

“Sightings from the Veranda in Costa Rica”

The sunsets behind the mountains, viewed from the veranda. It gets dark very early in the evening with no daylight savings time in Costa Rica.

There’s no question; we always prefer to live in less-populated villages, far from the typical tourist communities. With a population of around 5000, Atenas does attract some tourists, and several ex-pats live here.

With plenty of opportunities for sightseeing within a two-hour drive, it couldn’t be more ideal for our needs. We’re in the process of booking our first sightseeing tour with Aad and Marian, the property managers and tour company.  

The hazy afternoon before the rains come.

Here are a few details about the region in Costa Rica from this site:

“Atenas (ah-TEN-names) is the capital city of the canton of Atenas in Alajuela province in Costa Rica. It is also the name of the distrito (district) that includes the city.
The district of Atenas covers an area of 8.93 km² and has a population of approx. 27,000 inhabitants. The city of Atenas itself has about 5,000 inhabitants. Its name means Athens (Αθήνα), the capital of Greece.
The city lies at an elevation of 698 meters above sea level on the western edge of the Central Valley (Valle Central), 25 kilometers southwest of the provincial capital city of Alajuela, 20 kilometers from Juan Santamaria International Airport, and 35 kilometers from the national capital city of San Jose. (Continued below photo).
Tomorrow night we plan to cook in the outdoor kitchen.

The town is surrounded by mountains and coffee plantations. It is located in a prosperous agricultural area that hosts a weekly farmer’s market on Friday mornings. The town center features an immaculate white church and a picturesque park lined with palm trees. There is a community health center, pharmacies, doctors, dentists, tennis court, fitness center, swimming pools, parks, banks, shops, bed-and-breakfasts, and restaurants.

Atenas is a popular place for North American and European retirees.  There are four major real estate developments with existing homes and building lots: Roca Verde, Vista Atenas, Lomas Al Paraiso, and Hacienda Atenas. There are other real estate developments in various stages of completion.

In mid-October 2011, a major landslide occurred on the Atenas exit of the Autopista del Sol. The exit has since re-opened, improving travel time to San José, Escazú, and Pacific beaches.
It is popularly said that Atenas enjoys the ‘best climate in the world’; the reason for this attribution is that climatic factors like temperature and humidity are stable all year round, with temperatures ranging from 19 Celsius at night (66F) to 34 Celsius (92F) during the day with a yearly average of 26 (79F) Celsius.
It also has varied sets of altitudes starting at 300 meters above sea level in the Balsa and the Rio Grande areas ascending to 1,200 meters above sea level in the San Isidro area. This broad spectrum of heights provides to marked and well defined climatic subregions within the greater Atenas area.”
One of many varieties of plants thriving in the yard.

Some have asked why we don’t stay in larger cities where activities, restaurants, and nightlife are abundant. From time to time, we do, when the town offers what we need at that point in our travels.

Over the next few days, we’ll be pinning down a hotel booking for Buenos Aires, a city with a population of over 15 million. In this particular case, we’re searching for convenience when we’re only staying for one month and need a hotel where we can leave most of our luggage for the immediately following Antarctica cruise.

Valley side of the property.

A vacation homeowner won’t be able to accommodate keeping our luggage, nor would we feel safe leaving it in a private home in the big city. A hotel will be the best option for these particular circumstances. Once we select a hotel we’d like, we’ll contact them to inquire about the luggage storage before we book it. 

As for the city of Atenas, we are currently located in one of the above four mentioned gated communities of Roca Verda, which has a guard at the main gate 24/7. The house itself is gated, but the area is known as safe, and we aren’t worried about crime, although, as always, we’re sensible when traveling into town. 

The yard and gardens are amazing, definitely on a smaller scale to Bev ad Sam’s stunning property in Kauai, Hawaii, a former botanical garden. We can see their personal touches in the gardens and the interior of the vacation home.

As for this fabulous vacation home, we continue to appreciate all of its good features.  Bev and Sam left no stone unturned when they renovated and stocked this property a few years ago, and we’re taking advantage of its many amenities.  There will be more details on the property as the days continue.

Again today, we’ll stay put with considerable research required to wrap up somewhere to live in Buenos Aires. Hopefully, we’ll be back with our final decision over the next few days.

Have a blissful day!

Photo from one year ago today, August 4, 2016:

A fishing boat tied to a tree at the beach in Phuket, Thailand. For more photos, please click here.