by Anne Watcher on Thursday February 5th, 2009 at 7:47pm
Well here we go again! After a hair raising drive along Leroy Ave. (home of our daughter Roslyn and her husband Jordan in London, Ontario Canada), which except for the landing was the most dangerous part of the trip, we headed out to Sarnia. A gorgeous sunny day until we hit the curve at the Sarnia Airport and we were instantly in the middle of a blizzard. For a brief moment we thought the trip was off, but thanks to Nadine's great driving skills, an uneventful border crossing and sunny drive down I-94 we arrived safely at the airport. Thank you Richard!
As we were getting our boarding passes the airport staff who were helping us started to laugh, "the Bird Watchers" are checking in. It took us a few minutes to clue in and after a chuckle we found our catch phrase for the trip. As we were walking towards security we could still hear them laughing. Now we just have to figure out who's watching who!!
A relaxing meal at Ruby Tuesday's, early boarding for Nadine and Bruce (Bird), and we were on our way. We had a clear day for flying this year and the sights were gorgeous. Fields of snow, winding rivers and roads dotted the ground below. It was amazing how far south the snow was but Dallas was clear of snow and sunny, 54'F.
Upon boarding a very full plane to San Jose we were excited to be on our last leg. It had been a long day, we were tired and looking forward to a peaceful flight. Soon after take off the pilot informed us our flight path, temperature in San Jose and oh by the way, there is a strong wind blowing through the Central Valley. OH GREAT! Well he warned us, and yes I had a few brief seconds of doubt and many seconds of grabbing Rob as the plane rocked in the wind. There was a moment I thought the engine (which I was right beside) was going to hit the runway before the landing gear!!! Anyway we landed safely, breezed through immigration and customs and walked outside to Norma's friendly smile. But boy was it windy!!!!!
by Anne Watcher on Sunday January 11th, 2009 at 12:21pm
Just got an email from our friend Dan in Costa Rica (you may remember that we stayed at his gorgeous bed and breakfast). He lives on the side of the mountain with Poas Volcano directly above his home. He is about 8 miles distance from Cinchona - the area most hard hit. Awefully close if you ask us.
This was a part of his email to us:
"What an experience! I was at my desk working when it happened; I just ran outside, barefoot and all and watched the whole place shake while trying to stay on my feet! Four times I tried to enter the house but the after shocks were too strong. We just had another a few hours ago!
I? fine, just a big mess to clean up but it could have been a lot worse. After all, I am thankful I can write this email and besides I had a lot of things packed because next week I am scheduled to move to Cahuita! (on the Caribean side of the country)"
We are so relieved that all is well with him and hope we can meet up when we are down there.
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Also heard from Rick at Norma's Villas where we will be staying. Things are fine there, all are safe with them and their family in Costa Rica. He said that the mood was pretty sombre with most Costa Ricans. Lastest report has 34 dead, 64 missing.
by Anne Watcher on Friday January 9th, 2009 at 3:33pm
Not the best news right before we head off in a bit over 3 weeks, but we're looking forward to getting back down and seeing how everyone is and what is new and will probably have a few stories to listen to about this earth shaking event that took place yesterday . . .
The earthquake center (Poas Volcano), was about 15 miles from where we stay and shook the cities of Alejuela and the capital San Jose that we walked around on a daily basis. Friends of ours live on the side of the volcanic mountain Poas, and we know many in and around the town of Grecia which sits closeby. Hope all is well with them.
We will soon see how far reaching the damage was. The earthquake was the result of a series of mini-temblors around Poas volcano but there was no signs of volcanic activity.
MSNBC Report: www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28564060
Some Televised video about the earthquake: www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/28578178#28578178
Another Report: http://sify.com/news/fullstory.php?id=14833285
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We travelled all through this area that was affected. Our series of images of the mountainous area around Poas and La Paz starts on Slide #20090204-0199 and goes to Slide #20090204-0210: /photographs/20090204-0199.html
La Paz Waterfall area was hard hit. This shot was taken as we passed the falls on the narrow mountainside road.
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UPDATE: Upon reading some posts in the Trip Advisor site have found out that the hardest hit villages were Poasita, Vera Blanca, Fraijanes and Chichona. Also the beautiful Peace Lodge and La Paz Waterfalls is vertually gone. About 400 tourists where trapped there due to the fact that 7 bridges and 16 km of roads are gone or unpassable.
We remember fondly travelling this very road on a day trip last year with Keith and Ilene. Some of the stunning views will now be gone. Most of the tourists have now been transported out of La Paz and last I heard a Canadian couple was still missing. Reports of up to 14 dead and 22 missing.
They said it would be months possibly before all roads and bridges are restored. Just waiting to hear back from some of our friends. Amazing how things can change in 40 seconds.
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LATEST EARTHQUAKES IN THE LAST 7 DAYS (worldwide report)
It was quite surprising to find out just how many earthquakes there are each day on a worldwide scale. Mind you, most aren't necessarily doing a lot of damage, and the list contains earthquake data from magnitude 2.5 and up - - - but it is still interesting viewing to see the reports of the amount of activity going on inside the earth on a daily basis:
http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/map/
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Update for September 2014
Sharon Thornton is a research coordinator with http://www.iugg.net The International Union of Geodesy and Geophysics. She is in the process of gathering research on the long term effects earthquakes have on local economies, sociological costs and analysis of government action / programs organized as a response to earthquakes. As a part of her search, she came across this post and asked if we would include a few relevant links.
Earthquakes Data Magnitude 5.0 and Over 2005 - 2014: http://krilloil.com/blog/earthquake-data/
Seismic Monitor: http://www.iris.edu/seismon/
Quakes - Live Earthquakes Map: http://quakes.globalincidentmap.com/
by Anne Watcher on Friday December 12th, 2008 at 12:25pm
When we started making preparations for this years trip, I thought maybe I would not do a journal. But after many requests from people who followed our adventures last year, I have decided to do it again!
This year we have added a banner of photos on the journal page for added interest. These are our photos from our 2008 trip. ENJOY
Well the dates are set and tickets are bought. We leave on February 4, 2009 and return March 4, 2009. Just a month this year but will have lots of fun. We are returning to Norma's again and as an added new twist we are traveling with another couple, Bruce and Nadine Bird. We have never traveled with another couple in 30 years, last time we went to Florida. We have all known each other for years, literally years not just a couple, so Rob and I are looking forward to it. (hope Bruce and Nadine are too!)
When looking for airline tickets online I was afraid what I might find. A few months ago when I first started to look, prices were greatly increased. So I was patient and ended getting tickets for not a lot more than last years. Flying once again with American Airlines, Detroit-Dallas-San Jose route (both ways this time) and paying $778.00 CAD per couple. AWESOME
Steps one and two done!!!!
We're on our way!!!
by Anne Watcher on Thursday April 10th, 2008 at 5:20pm
Who says two months is a long time?? We felt that the time flew by and now we are back home in Ontario. Our last piece of luggage was finally delivered today (only 10 days after us so we're not sure what route it took-but it is lacking a few items!). I guess that means that the trip is officially over for this year. At least the weather wasn't as bad as we had anticipated and it is starting to look like spring once again. The daffodils are buddings and crocuses and snowdrops brighten up the landscape.
We are happy to be back home among family and friends and have had a great time catching up with everyone's news. We have three new great-neices or nephews on the way so I guess I'll have lots of quilts to make and keep busy. Summers in SWOntario are warm and sunny so therefore perfect for lots of summer activities.
Rob and I both agree that our experience of living in Costa Rica for two months was a highlight of our 32 years of marriage. We found the people to be happy and friendly, scenery gorgeous and pace and simplicity of life very appealing. We can't think of any negatives from our trip, in fact it seemed that when things didn't go as planned they turned out for the better. We also both pushed our comforts zones and did, ate and experienced things we would not normally consider. This is a big factor in our decision to return next year for three months and expand our horizons a little more.
We still have some more videos and snapshots to add so keep checking back. I'll keep on Rob's case to get them done!!
Rob and I heading home
Taking off from Juan Santamaria International Airport in Alajuela Costa Rica
