New Years in Jaco

It’s hard to believe that the first week of 2011 is already done.  Where does the time go? 

During the week between Christmas and New Years, there were an awful lot of fireworks being shot off on a nightly basis.  We wondered a few times what New Years was going to be like. 

We ended up seeing one of the best and longest fireworks displays… ever!  Shortly after dark, which was about 6 pm the fireworks started.  We couldn’t see all of them, but you could certainly hear them. 

At 11 pm, we watched the ball being dropped from Times Square.  And about 11:50 we headed upstairs to watch the ever increasing booms in the night sky. 

Didn’t matter which direction you looked; there were fireworks being shot off.  And when midnight struck - holy moly!  Never saw or heard that many being shot off at once.  We had a really nice view of two displays that were going off at the same time; and both were non-stop for a good 45 minutes or more. 

We headed to bed shortly after 1 am and were jostled awake a few times with more going off; and the last time Mike heard one, his watch read 5:15 am.  Guess Tico’s really like their fireworks; and love having a reason to shoot them off.

Years ago, I had an opportunity to watch the Benson and Hedges Symphony of Fire on the Toronto lakefront.  Until this recent display, that was the best fireworks that I had seen; but New Years in Jaco, Costa Rica topped it by a long shot!  It wasn’t a fancy choreographed production; but the length and the amount were amazing.  At least 15 - 20 displays being shot off at the same time; and that was only the ones that we could see.  Both mountains surrounding us; were lit up from the far side.  It was an amazing sight to see.

This past week; has mostly been spent lazing around the pool.  Now that it’s empty again.  Three times during the holidays we headed over, to look down and see 15 or more people.  Much more enjoyable when it’s just us.

On Tuesday, we headed down to the beach; and watched another spectacular sunset.  Strolled along the beach and then to Lemon Zest for some crème boulee; but unfortunately they didn’t have any. 

We then caught a cab; and when stepping up and in, I experienced one of the worst Charlie horses that I’ve ever had!  I had this excruciating pain rip through my right calf; and within seconds, also in my left one!  Ouch!!!  It’s a good thing our cab driver understood enough English; cause it made me yell out in pain; and he might have thought I was crazy or something. 

As a result of this, it’s been a quiet past week.  Other than hanging at the pool and out on our balcony.  You never know what you’re going to see out there.  Along with a slew of beautiful birds, we’ve had a hand glider, a helicopter and recently, a colony of leaf cutter ants.  We been entertained for a few hours, watching these amazing little critters destroy a couple of big leaves in a mere few hours.  I’ve got some pretty good shots of this.

And this morning, I was woken by a torrential downpour.  You couldn’t see the mountains, or hear anything except for the rain.  And just when you think it’s raining harder then you’ve ever heard, it rained even harder.  Lasted for roughly 3 hours; but by the time we got up it was over. 

At this time, we want to wish all of our family and friends a great new year.  Happy New Years one and all!

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