Blossom

Not shooting much because it's hard to get around. What can I do that's different using the images at hand? Maybe zoom in on the flower arrangement at Art In Bloom. Look more closely at the parts than the whole.          

Pavane pour une infante défunte

Sorry about no post yesterday. Sometimes the world wants more of me than than there is me to go around. I'm prioritizing my physical therapy exercises, which may be the only way my back will get better short of a big operation.

We are back to Art In Bloom. This string quartet always performs in the Great Hall. They are very good. As we approached, I heard them playing Ravel's tender Pavane for a Dead Princess. It helped relieve the crush of the crowd.      

Fruit Snacks

The area we visit in Costa Rica is full of iguanas. We often see them sunbathing on the lawn behind the condo where we stay. There were plenty around the estuary when we took our ride.

The boatmen always have a quartered pineapple in a cooler. During the trip they slice it into bite-sized pieces, providing the passengers with a tasty snack. Our pilot threw the rinds to the iguanas. They were pretty interested.           

STL DPB On The Road - Bite Me

There is an estuary on the west side of Tamarindo that runs a mile or two inland. You can take a ride with a local boatman who points out the many form of wildlife. There are lots of species of birds and sneaky predators like this crocodile. 

No running your hand through the water from the boat. However, I have seen boys swimming around the area where the boats are moored. Perhaps as a result, the sign was recently installed.

DINNER AND A SHOW

There's a really nice beachfront hotel called Capitan Suizo near where we stay in Playa Langosta. The name is Spanish for the Swiss Captain. Their excellent restaurant, El Barco, is open to the public. We've gotten to know the executive chef, Jujo Molina, over the last few years. We always contact him before we head south to see what's going on.

There was a Costa Rican barbecue buffet and entretenimiento costarricense. The food, as always under Jujo's supervision, was wonderful. The entertainment was fun but almost all backlit. Tough shooting.     

STL DPB AT SEA - BOOZE CRUISE

Now that I have your attention...

There is still some Costa Rica material to go through. Since I'm not real mobile these days, I need to use what's on hand. 

There are a couple of afternoon boat rides out of Tamarindo. Every few years we go out with Blue Dolphin Sailing on a trip everyone calls the booze cruise. They run a big catamaran that goes around the point in the bottom picture to a cove where you can snorkel. There is a buffet and an open bar - all the wine, local beer and cacique punch you can hold. Cacique is the local sugar cane-based white lightening. When mixed with sweet tropical fruit juices it's dangerous. Where were those life jackets?          

I'm Back

As it approaches its twelfth anniversary, I am coming off the longest break from posting this blog has ever had. The combination of pneumonia and my back condition flattened me. I fell asleep at my desk on Friday and I can't walk very far. But the pneumonia is lifting and I'm not one to stay still.

The family went to the annual Art In Bloom show at the art museum yesterday. Thirty expert floral arrangements were placed among the galleries, each reflecting a specific painting or sculpture. Mrs. C had to push me through in a wheelchair so the camera angle was unfamiliar to me. Watch out for the ceiling lights!