Costa Rica is a beautiful lush country in Central America which offers a bounty of options for adrenaline junkies as well as laid back beachgoers. For our trip to this paradise, we chose the Pacific Ocean side in the region of Guanacaste as it offered a stunning backdrop of towering lush verdant mountains alongside a wide expanse of pristine beaches.
We opted to stay at a resort in Playa Flamingo which has since changed ownership and has been rebranded by the Margaritaville hotel chain: https://www.margaritavillebeachresortcostarica.com.
The beach resort had an on-site restaurant and bar, a large pool and swim-up bar and a small fitness center overlooking the pool. Initially, we were booked in one of the lower level rooms, but it was the rainy season, and the room was small, smelled dank and quite mildewy so we upgraded to one of the large ocean front view suites with a king bed.
It was a fantastic decision as the suite had a kitchenette with a large refrigerator and microwave as well as a sink and wet bar
adjoining a decent sized living room which led to a wraparound balcony overlooking the resort on one side and the beach on the other.
The bedroom was in a separate room facing the ocean which allowed for natural “white noise” from the waves crashing onto the shore.
Every morning, we ate our first meal at a quaint restaurant across the street from the resort called Marie’s: http://mariesrestaurantcostarica.com. The prices were reasonable and the food was quite good. It was also a great place to meet others staying in the area.
About a ten to fifteen minute beach walk south of the resort was Coco Loco: http://www.cocolococostarica.com which had an outdoor beachside restaurant. It had a pseudo beach club vibe with upbeat dance music playing in the background. Despite the rainy season, most of the tables were filled and as a result, the service was a bit slower, but the view and the fantastic food and drinks made up for the extended wait.
For a bit more high end dining, we ventured across the street from the resort to Angelina’s: https://www.angelinasplayaflamingo.com which specialized in Italian food and seafood.
The service was impeccable and the food and view from the second floor were pretty spectacular.
For all our excursions, we booked with Flamingo Adventures: https://flamingoadventures.com. Conveniently, they were also across the street, in an outdoor hut just steps away from Marie’s.
Sal, our guide for the week, was an older gentleman but quite lean and spry and participated in every adventure.
From the ATV up the mountains and back down to the beach, to the combined horseback riding and zipline adventure and
finally for whitewater rafting, rope swing and cliff diving, he was game and beyond fearless.
To ease the tension and muscle aches from all of our adventures, we took the time to pamper ourselves. I read about Beach Massage by Orfa on TripAdvisor and was happy to find she was set up on the beach just in front of our resort. At the time, a 90 minute massage cost each of us $55.
Being massaged beachside hearing the crashing of the waves seemed blissfully indulgent.
Another stress relieving venture came at the tailend of our horseback riding and ziplining adventure at Borinquen Resort: https://www.borinquenresort.com/gallery.php.
After a hair-raising few hours, the mud bath and hot springs were the perfect antidote for the rigorous and stressful excursion we had just endured and survived.
Costa Rica is a fantastic and budget friendly option to tropical destinations like Hawaii and Florida as the travel time is quite similar. Alaska and Delta now offer direct flights from Los Angeles to Liberia making it literally just one flight away. Our time on Playa Flamingo and Guanacaste definitely exceeded our expectations and stands out as one of our most exciting and memorable vacations. Costa Rica is the perfect spot for those willing and courageous enough to step outside of their comfort zone and head blindly to spine tingling adventures in the great outdoors. Pura Vida!
Fiji is one of those faraway romantic places one dreams of when bogged down the day-to-day grind of life, a reverie of a place to escape and unwind in the midst of tranquility. Little did I know how accurate my vision would be of our actual getaway.
Fiji comprises 300 islands in the South Pacific. Deciding which island or islands to visit proved a bit daunting. The international airport was on the main island and to reach other islands involved either smaller planes, boats or helicopters, all of which added a significant cost in time and money to the trip. I opted to search for accommodations on the main island and decided on Wananavu Resort on the sunny north shore. It was a 3 hour drive from the airport and combined with the 11 hour flight was the shortest in duration with respect to travel.
We arrived at Nadi airport in the wee hours of the morning, so we spent the ride to the resort catching up on some much needed rest and sleep.
Upon our arrival and after a brief check-in, we were ushered to the dining area for breakfast which was happily a traditional American fare of bacon, eggs, hash browns and pancakes.
Nourished and reenergized, we headed to our beachfront bure which was a fairly nice sized room.
It had a front outdoor porch and inside, there was a king sized bed with an air conditioning unit directly above it.
There was also a sitting area on the side of the room and the bathroom with a walk in shower was directly behind it, adjacent to the bedroom.
We immediately unpacked our bags, grabbed our swimsuits and headed to the water.
I was shocked at how remote and isolated our location was.
It was very quiet, and there was nobody on the beach or in the ocean. It was as if we had the entire resort to ourselves.
For the next week, we swam in the ocean as well as the pristine pool on-site,
practiced yoga on the front porch of our bure, worked out with our TRX in the room, walked on the beach,
had many refreshing drinks and were served beautifully presented food.
The resort provided an eclectic selection of meals with some being the traditional American fare intermingled with Indian inspired dishes, paying homage to the commingling of cultures on the island.
In addition to the resort activities, we partook in a few off-site excursions. My husband went on one full day dive trip and on the other days, we snorkeled, went on a picnic at a neighboring island and
took a tour of the outdoor farmers market.
We learned a bit about the Fijian culture and was shocked to hear that cannibalism was in fashion for some time and that Indians were once brought over as indentured servants to work the fields. After a period of time, the Indians were given their freedom, and they used that opportunity to start their lives and through hard work and perseverance, successfully surpassed the Fijians in monetary success, causing a bit of resentfulness amongst the natives.
All in all, Wananavu was a wonderful place to decompress and get off the grid. The lush landscaping, the rustic bure and the serenity of the resort provided us an opportunity to recharge our batteries.
We have very fond memories of the one place in our travels that gave us the freedom to live a slower pace of life by providing us an environment in which we could immerse ourselves in the beautiful, peaceful, natural surroundings that we have come to know as Wananavu.
Wananavu Resort
Volivoli Road
Sun Coast, Fiji
When I was in the planning stages for this trip a few months ago, I had identified three excursions on our must do list. Our first day and first outing was an island hopping tour to three islands. I booked all our tours with Island Trek Tour which is a one-stop shop, a tour company which handles bookings with local tour guides.
Our first outing was subcontracted to Fun Sun Dive & Travel. Their location wasn’t too far from where we were staying but with the flooding from the previous evening’s rain storm and the narrow and congested roads, it took about 20 minutes to arrive at our destination.
We ended up chatting with the local tour guide’s manager while we were sipping on tea and coffee. He’s American, probably somewhere around our age. In his prior life, he was a purser from Northwest and Delta but when they merged, he took an early buyout and decided to become a dive instructor. His last gig was in the Palawan/Coron area managing a dive shop there which featured wreck diving amongst its many islands but it closed for renovation so he was happy to find an opening on Mactan Island which is more urban and not as remote and isolated. He said that although the shop offers diving, most of their boats and others they had to subcontract were booked primarily for island hopping that day, indicating its popularity.
After our brief chat, our crew was ready to head out to sea. We had a small group of 7. There was a Korean family, a husband and wife with their young son on the boat with us as well as an American born Asian guy in his early 30s traveling with his girlfriend. Though he’s originally from Orange County, they now live in Japan.
We made a few pit stops with the crew, dropping some off on boats on the way and/or dropping off supplies until we finally made it to our actual island hopping boat which was anchored the furthest out to the right of the harbor. We weren’t quite sure if we were actually going to make it out because it took about 20-30 minutes to get the engine started which sounded like it had been flooded possibly from the evening’s storm.
We finally went to our first snorkel stop. It took a while to get there, probably 30 minutes or so. We passed by quite a few islands as we made our way across the vast sea before arriving at our first site, Hilutungan Island, where it appeared there were close to 8-10 other boats already anchored.
I noticed a few yellow kayaks with guys dressed in yellow vests who appeared at first glance to be life guards. I saw one guy board our ship who immediately started chatting it up with me and asked if I’m Tagalog. I had never been referred to by that term but I understood what he meant. It was also very clear that he was getting a read on us to see if we would be willing to buy a few things from him. He immediately offered us some coconut juice, other types of beverages and beer. I sensed that we were being hustled so I turned to Troy and gave him that warning look. We opted for the coconut juice and that’s when he said it was going to cost 300 pesos but not to worry about it until after we finished snorkeling.
It was an overcast day so the visibility wasn’t optimal. We spent about 40 minutes watching the schools of fish as they went about their day, heading en masse towards one area where they were occasionally being fed by one of the crew from a boat alongside ours. It was a nice peaceful and relaxing introduction to the islands and being welcomed back by the sea.
When we came back onboard, our coconut juice with 2 straws was ready. Our fellow passengers also ordered the same thing. While we were sipping, Troy noticed a net of shellfish being shown to the family. He asked what it was and that’s when our guy said for us not to pay attention to the guy showing them his goods but to look at what he brought us. He showed us a live abalone which was clearly trying to escape as it pushed its way off the bench and onto the floor. He offered to grill us some of his catch to which we politely declined. Then he tried to offer us some bracelets and necklaces to purchase. Even though I stiffened at the thought of being solicited while we were on a private charter, I reminded myself that he lived on that remote island, that he had few opportunities to make a living, that he was being pleasant enough and just like the abalone, he was trying to survive. Eventually, he got the hint and after we paid him for the juice, he left the boat.
Our next destination was quite a ways away. It probably took us close to an hour to get to Pandanon Island which is halfway between Cebu and Bohol with the latter laying claims to the island. We were told that while we walked around and swam around the island, the crew would be preparing our lunch for us. We walked around the beach for a bit and saw that families and friends had rented covered thatched cottages. There were guys playing beach volleyball and several groups grilling out and serving delicious looking local food in batches. I realized that some of the people were there with families and friends enjoying their weekend. This is how they spent their leisure time, cooking for themselves and their loved ones, out on the beach, catching up, laughing and eating and enjoying each other’s company. If the locals who lived in their very humble homes on a remote island with likely very meager means could find contentment in the simple and basic joys of life, then I should learn from them. It made me smile that they didn’t take for granted the importance of relationships and truly made an effort as a group to show their appreciation for each other by putting together an amazing feast and serving it for all to enjoy.
With that, we headed to the other side of the beach, leaving the groups to enjoy their private celebrations. We decided to take in a bit of island time, our way. I had planned on a beach outing and brought our picnic blankets, lined with tarp-like plastic on one side and a fuzzy cloth material on the other. I knew it would make dusting off the sand much easier than a regular beach blanket. The sun was shielded behind the clouds but the air was warm and there was a cool beach breeze making for a nice day to lay out. We closed our eyes and listened to the waves lapping, the sound of coals burning and of food sizzling, blending in with the sounds of laughter and conversations by our fellow beach companions. It was our first full day on vacation and I finally started to relax and unwind.
At 12:30, we headed back onboard and we were welcomed by an unbelievable feast which was somehow prepared and grilled to perfection on the actual boat. There were triangles of sticky rice ensconced in banana leaves. Grilled pork, chicken and shrimp skewers were laid out in island style baskets and the meal was finished off with mango halves, squared for easy consumption along with some local bananas. What was unique about this meal was there were no forks, spoons, knives or even napkins. Everything was eaten with your hands which made it that much more authentic, more rustic. It was the perfect island dining experience with amazingly delicious, moist and flavorful food prepared in a very humble setting. One of the boat’s crew dunked a pail into the sea and offered that water to wash off the remnants of our meal from our fingers. It was a very grounding experience to say the least.
Our last snorkel stop, Nalusuan island, seemed quite a ways away and by the time we arrived, the sun was peeking out, warming up the sea and enhancing the visibility. We swam alongside tiny schools of fish as they weaved together in synchronicity, watched as other fish took sustenance from the coral below and others as they swam along their merry way.
After some time in the sea, it was finally time time to head back. I fell asleep briefly on the boat and felt like I woke up a new person with a deeper appreciation for my Homeland’s culture, its people, their generosity and spirit. I wanted to remember the lessons of humility and gratitude that the islands taught me and to encapsulate and incorporate that mindset in my day-to-day life going forward. I now remember that life is about making connections, maintaining them and enjoying each other’s company while we have the opportunity. Life may have its challenges but we should never feel downtrodden as long as we have each other.
Island Trek Tours
https://www.islandtrektours.com
Fun Sun Dive & Travel
https://www.funsundivetravel.com/island-hopping/open-boat/
I hadn’t returned to the Philippines since 1985, and I found my task of choosing a hotel on one of its 7000 islands daunting to say the least. I chose Boracay because it’s known for its turquoise waters, fantastic water sports, insane beach parties complete with fire dancers and is known for its gorgeous White Beach which is divided into 3 stations. Wanting some quiet time and a bit of privacy, I narrowed my location to Station 1. I happened upon Ambassador in Paradise from many positive reviews on TripAdvisor. Still it was a shot in the dark not knowing anybody who had actually stayed there.
After 3 flights, a van ride, a boat ride and another van ride, we finally arrived at our destination, nearly 24 hours after leaving LAX. From the street, the resort looked quite narrow. As we walked through, the resort spread out a bit wider and was deeper and more expansive than we anticipated. Our room had a partial ocean view on the second floor above the restaurant, close to the beach. It also had a view of the pool and the inner courtyard area. The main dining area was easily accessible using the staircase by our room.
The architecture of the building had a Spanish Mediterranean feel. It might explain why there were many European guests staying at the resort. There were also a sprinkling of Australians. Compared to other hotels, including the more opulent and luxurious hotels down the beach, it appeared Ambassador in Paradise was at full capacity during our stay. I was more than a bit surprised but thought about the how and why of it all. It’s on the beach, has its own private beach area complete with chairs and umbrellas, it’s at Station 1 so there were fewer beach peddlers, it had a great breakfast buffet, the other meals they offered were reasonably priced and the nightly rates of the rooms were quite reasonable for everything the resort offered. As far as amenities, there was a really nice pool in the middle which we didn’t utilize mistakenly until near the end of our visit. The water temperature was actually quite lovely. The resort also had a small non-air conditioned gym in the basement. A few days prior to our arrival, a typhoon had hit and flooded the entire bottom floor. Some of the equipment was still drying as a result.
Our bedroom was nice enough. There was an armoire with shelves and a safe. Our luggage sat outside of it but most of our clothes were able to fit. There was a bench and a table for additional seating. The bathroom did not have air conditioning and the sink did not have a great deal of counter space. The shower area was open to the rest of the bathroom but luckily it was a wide enough space. The room came with a smartphone which allowed guests internet access and allowed local calls. Guests were able to take the phone outside of the resort during their stay.
All in all, for the value and the location, I would highly recommend staying at Ambassador in Paradise. The staff was phenomenal, professional and polite. They had a great variety of food. The nightly entertainment was relaxing. The style of the resort is casual, tasteful and subdued. Best of all, its location was perfect for relaxing and unwinding.
Ambassador in Paradise
Station 1, Boracay Island, Malay, Aklan, 5608 Philippines
https://www.ambassadorinparadise.com
Grace Gambin
You must be logged in to post a comment.