Costa Rica Holiday

Jaco Costa Rica 1/2001 - When does a good holiday become a GREAT HOLIDAY? That's an easy question to answer. When somebody else is paying the bill... of course!

In January of 2001, Fran's employer (at that time) Verbatim Corporation, was hosting a customer appreciation event at the Los Sueños Marriott Resort in Jaco Costa Rica. Jaco is beautifully situated on the country's Pacific coast and is known for its awesome fishing and surfing as well as its close proximity to the Costa Rican rain forest. In reality, this event was only a ruse in order to get Verbatim to pick up the tab for their vacation.

As the organizer and coordinator of corporate special events, Fran was required to be at the resort several days in advance of arriving guests. I decided to tag along with her on this trip. Since all her expenses were covered, all I had to do was cover my out-of-pocket expenses.

I figured, while she worked... I'd go fishing or exploring the jungle! Well as it turned out, all Fran's advance work was completed in about one hour. Cool... now it was play time.

Accompanying Fran on the trip were co-worker Susan and her husband Jim and Celia, another co-worker. Celia was an integral component of the trip because she was the only person from Verbatim who could speak Spanish. An important element in Costa Rica.

Well we all hung out together for the most part. While the girls were working (or supposedly working), Jim and I went fishing. That's my 50# Rooster fish I caught after 30 minute fight. The real good news was Verbatim picked up our tab for fishing. They thought we were customers!

Costa Rica is known for lots of things but its tropical rainforest is one of the most spectacular. We had the opportunity to tour the rain forest several different ways... on foot, by Land Rover and (the most extreme) via the "canopy tour." The canopy tour allows visitors to literally fly (just like Tarzan) from tree to tree at heights exceeding 200 feet above the forest floor. Our only means of connectivity... a leather harness and a steel cable.

Touring the rainforest was fun and dangerous, all at the same time. Be careful where you step or what you touch because under any rock or leaf there could be a poisonous spider or snake who is all to willing to let you sample some of their lethal venom. Crocodiles are all over the place - mostly by river beds. Not a place to wonder (especially at night). At the completion of our rain forest tour, our guide took us back to his house, deep within the rain forest. There we were introduced to his wife and kids and had the chance to sample some of Costa Rica's most potent alcoholic beverage... GUARO.

A cautionary note for any readers who are contemplating a trip to Costa Rica... stay clear of any rolling restaurants. Although the country appears to be clean and very health conscious, these ptomaine terrors will set your gastrointestinal tract into high gear. And although you hadn't planned on it... you will undoubtedly meet an unwanted Costa Rican native... Señor Sal Monila.

Costa Rica is truly a land of paradox. Within minutes, one leaves the beauty of pristine beaches and breath taking sunsets for the sights of a $2.00 Rain forest hooker and her cardboard brothel.