Exploring Costa Rica

After we finally tamed the wild beast that is immigration procedures—after what felt like an eternity of three days spent running around like headless chickens, trying to deal with the stupid and clueless officials—and Daddy Charly finally jetted off to Fort Lauderdale, we were left with a sense of accomplishment and relief.

The chaos of the immigration process was behind us, and we could finally breathe. What followed was a glorious four days filled with epic wrestling matches, exhilarating movie marathons, and marathon walks with Daddy Micha at the picturesque Puerto Azul marina. The sun was shining, the sea breeze was refreshing, and every moment was filled with joy and laughter. But then, like true adventurers eager for new experiences, we decided to take the plunge and get ourselves a rental car. With excitement bubbling within us, we embarked on our grand Costa Rican exploration tour. Our first stop? The airport in San Juan to rescue Daddy Charly!

The journey to the airport was about as thrilling as watching paint dry, with the landscape rolling by in a blur of greens and browns, but hey, the airport itself is an absolute blast! Daddy Micha, ever the planner, dressed us up in our snazzy service dog vests, which made us feel like the stars of the show, and whisked us off to the bustling airport. Whoa, so many people and other service dogs! They strutted around proudly, calling themselves K9s, boasting about their impressive skills to sniff out drugs, explosives, and all that jazz. Impressive, no doubt, but let's be real, we’re the top dogs here. Not only do we sound the alarm and keep a vigilant eye on Daddy Micha during his flashbacks or nightmares, ensuring he feels safe and secure, but we’re also experts at sniffing out trash, other dogs’ poop, dead fish, and anything else that looks like a gourmet treat. We consider ourselves the ultimate sniffer dogs for the grand adventures that lie ahead. Those K9s better be ready to step up their game if they want to keep up with us!

But let’s get back to the main event, shall we? After we had thoroughly inspected every nook and cranny of the airport, from the bustling terminals to the quiet corners, and after successfully retrieving Daddy Charly, it was off to see Daddy Charly’s brother. Uncle John, a character in his own right, has taken up residence in the scenic mountains near San Juan, where he boasts a garden so expansive you could easily get lost in its lush greenery and vibrant flora. He also has a dog named Luna, who, while being a bit on the senior side, didn’t exactly roll out the welcome mat for us. But who cares? We had a blast anyway! We stumbled upon a treasure trove of bananas and mangos in the garden—yum yum, talk about a fruity jackpot! Sure, we had to pile up the leftovers later to avoid any waste, but it was a feast fit for kings. Meanwhile, our daddies, Uncle John, and his daughter Leah were parked in the garden, yapping away like there was no tomorrow, sharing stories and memories. And who could blame them? Daddy Charly and Uncle John hadn’t seen each other in over 25 years! While they were busy catching up, we took the opportunity to do zoomies all over the garden, our excitement bubbling over as we sneakily swiped cheese and salami from the table. As the sun began to set, painting the sky with hues of orange and pink, we made our way back to Puntarenas, but not before hitting up Walmart for a new TV. Our old one had bit the dust, and “Hey,” we can’t live without our nightly dose of DogTV. On the way back to our cozy spot, Samsara, we had to pull over because the delightful cocktail of mango, banana, cheese, and salami in our bellies decided it was time to see sunlight again. No biggie for Daddy Micha, who found a cozy little parking spot by the road, and we let nature do its thing without a care in the world.

The next morning, we hit the road to San Juan again, but this time our aim was to dive into the city’s offerings, stock up on goodies, and do some sightseeing. Honestly, San Juan isn’t exactly a postcard-perfect destination. It’s like the city decided to throw a wild party and forgot to clean up after itself—pretty messy, noisy, and definitely not winning any modern art awards. After enduring a few hours of that fun, we thought, “Let’s get outta here!” So we zoomed back, prepped Samsara for our next adventure, and set off to explore the stunning coast and nearby islands. Just like that, a few days later, we set sail to Isla Cedros, where the water was way more clear and the beaches were white instead of black from the volcano and garbage like in Puntarenas. Then two days later, to Isla Tortuga. Those islands were way better than Puntarenas and San Juan, offering picturesque landscapes and serene vibes, but Costa Rica as a whole? Meh, not so much. It’s kind of like the messy room of Central America—lacking those stunning beaches you dream about and with water that’s more murky than mermaid-friendly. So, we pointed our compass toward Mexico, ready for a thrilling 550 nautical mile adventure with a planned pit stop in San Salvador, eager for what lay ahead on this grand journey!

So, wag those tails and follow us to read the next bark as we sniff our way into Mexico! After our second epic showdown with the Costa Rican authorities and an unforgettable romp at Marina Chiapas, where we rubbed noses with fellow cruisers, turtles, other pups, and even a snappy crocodile. Until then, sending you a thousand slobbery face licks and an extra loud woof!