Focal Click’s Costa Rica Adventure

This Focal Click outing was the ultimate cool!

For someone with my appreciation for exotic fauna and flora the setting was sheer paradise. We stayed in a resort comprised of bungalows – you had a bedroom/bathroom, but also a sitting room with fridge – no walls but some sheers to keep the bugs out. We spent some time hanging and chatting there, and I made use of the hammock to recoup from my escapades. The estate was just gorgeous – I counted 3 full time gardeners and one part time. The exotic plants were fascinating, many in bloom or bearing fruit. Animals large and small were in the greenery – all you had to do is stand still for a bit and you would see it teeming with wild life. I spent much time just enjoying this environment – I wish I could spend my winters working from there. Actually, I am considering spending a good chunk of time there next winter.

The food at the local restaurant was excellent and if everyone had not been so active, pounds would surely have been gained. Lots of leisure time was spent at and in the pool sipping the drinks of our choice.

The tours were challenging, and yours truly got “expulsed” again – this time from the saddle of a horse! True to my motto I got back in the saddle again, and now, sitting here at home with my bruises fading, I have to laugh at the image in my head.

I am just lucky no one took a picture of it!

Frank deserves a medal for running from bungalow to bungalow on a continuing basis making sure everyone was taken care of properly and no one missed their tours. While many complained about the rigors of some of these, all were proud of their achievements and I am sure that of all outings and rewards offered by affiliate programs, this one will be the most clearly remembered for a life time.

Frank, Mark and Ryan – well done. This was the ultimate cool reward – and I will be sure to try my darndest to be included in the next one. I can’t wait to see what you guys come up with next!

Not trying to put a damper on things; but I heard the hotel was less than extrodinary.

what were your thoughts?

Hi,

this is one we have to disagree on Prof.

If you’ve ever been in a situation where the hotel is already arranged; and when you arrived it was … and this is being tactful: less than great: you would perhaps feel differently.

I know because I have been in such situations.

I ended up going someplace else and putting out my own cash to have a place where I felt comfortable.

I’m not going to comment on whether was the case in this matter because it might or might not give away whom it was that said this to me.

but seriously, that is in my opinion; one of the worst things that can happen to you; because as everyone knows; the cost of the hotel is a large part of any trip.

so if you went there and felt compelled to move; you’d have a very pinched budget upon which to live ; unless you are a wealthy person that can afford such unexpected events.

ps,

though I’m sure I won’t be asked after this; but it wouldn’t matter because I’d never accept an offer from them because of this possiblity.

that’s just how I feel. Others may feel lucky to have any roof over their head at all.

It was one of the best times I have had, they did a great job.. Thanks Ryan and Dean..

BB1, which hotel might you be referring to?

The first one? The resort? The last one?

The first one was a glorious building from days gone by, with one of a kind outside architecture. It had antiquated interior facilities, as most hotels of that time period will have. It was located in the center of San Jose, which is a city not all feel safe in.

Whether one appreciates history to the point of putting up with some minor inconveniences for one night is a matter of individual taste. I definitely choose the history and the beauty of architecture, but would likely not want the inconvenience for long. Have you seen the place? Alan posted a couple of pics. It is beautiful, and I enjoyed sitting in the outdoor restaurant watching life on the plaza, enjoying good food and company and being shielded from all the vendors at the same time.

Or are you talking about the resort? This was a tropical paradise. It had the bungalows I described earlier – I heard not a soul complain about them. They were charming and romantic and absolutely gorgeous.

Or perhaps the Hampton Captain and I spent the last night in San Jose in? This was a clone hotel as you find it in every town across the world, with all the conveniences modern life offers but no personality. It was a great place to cool off and rest up, but surely not something I would travel to experience.

I realize, all this is a matter of preference. I am an experienced traveller and I want to see the unique characteristics of the country I am visiting. I want the architecture, the people, the fauna and flora. I want the smell of the air, be it flowery, salty or farm like, I want the feel of being part of that society. Spending a night without air conditioning is secondary to those experiences to me.

That is what I want from a pleasure trip. If I travel for business and have meetings and work, I would want something like the Hampton, an impersonal clone but a place you emerge from with every hair in place and all your ducks in a row.

Should you look a gift horse in the mouth? Sure, if it is one you actually worked for and earned. I looked and mine had perfect teeth.

PS. Thank you for the wonderful pictures, Alan. I will be looking at them a lot. My husband will enjoy seeing them also. :bigsmile:

Hi Ryan,

good to see you around. Now I can put a face with the name. :bigsmile:

I just wanted to thank you again, it was an unforgettable experience and the resort ranks right up there now, with my very favorite places in the world.

Great job, you guys!