After another pleasant day at sea we docked in the early hours of the morning at Puntarenas. The tides at this stop are such that it can be difficult to dock. As it was the wind was really blowing and the ship was constantly working to maintain a safe mooring.
We had decided not to engage in any tour at this stop, instead I devised a walk around the town. Armed with a map we took off and soon realised why not many visitors stay and look around. Although we never felt unsafe, many buildings had walls topped with barbed wire and most front doors had iron grills. The police presence was nonetheless comforting.
We did find some buildings worthy of recording on camera, including the cathedral. Although the wind blew hard all day it was very hot and even though I had my sunshade it proved too much to battle with in the wind. So we were happy when we arrived at the point and found the resort hotel where we could stop and rest and have refreshments.
After a couple of beers and some calamari both of which were very good, we wandered back along the main seafront to the ship.
Back at the long pier the ship was battling the weather to stay safely alongside. There were two tugs keeping the ship against the pier and the engines were working overtime.
All in all an interesting day.
The ship as we left it in the morning
In the afternoon the engines were working overtime.
Then the tugs had to come alongside in the afternoon.
Costa Rica has no military, these guns are affectionately known as the fort.
The markets along the sea front
The attractive property in the previous photo had the water at the rear and had its own jetty.
We walked through this little park and came across the cathedral.
A very simple interior, unlike most European Roman Catholic Cathedrals.
Education is highly valued in Costa Rica, but there are obviously security issues there too.
A small police station, flying the national flag.
One of a few homes which has been modernised and looked after.
Football (soccer) is very popular throughout Central America.
There is a ferry to some outlying islands, but it looked a little the worse for wear.
We finally sat in the cool bar of the resort hotel and this was the view. Extensive paving is being undertaken on the sea front. It will be quite attractive when it’s completed.
We had walked by the fishing boats and this one was coming back accompanied by the opportunistic frigate birds.
On our way back to the ship we spotted an iguana. Look carefully at the centre of the photo.
This one posed a little better for us.
There were a lot of used cars awaiting sale on part of the road along the seafront. Whatever works!
Well I suppose Pepsi and Costa Rica do have the colours red, white and blue in common!
There were no tugs helping the ship at this stage, but the wind was very strong.
The palms along the beachfront show the strength of the wind.
A beautiful sun set to complete the day.
We had decided not to engage in any tour at this stop, instead I devised a walk around the town. Armed with a map we took off and soon realised why not many visitors stay and look around. Although we never felt unsafe, many buildings had walls topped with barbed wire and most front doors had iron grills. The police presence was nonetheless comforting.
We did find some buildings worthy of recording on camera, including the cathedral. Although the wind blew hard all day it was very hot and even though I had my sunshade it proved too much to battle with in the wind. So we were happy when we arrived at the point and found the resort hotel where we could stop and rest and have refreshments.
After a couple of beers and some calamari both of which were very good, we wandered back along the main seafront to the ship.
Back at the long pier the ship was battling the weather to stay safely alongside. There were two tugs keeping the ship against the pier and the engines were working overtime.
All in all an interesting day.
The ship as we left it in the morning
In the afternoon the engines were working overtime.
Then the tugs had to come alongside in the afternoon.
Costa Rica has no military, these guns are affectionately known as the fort.
The markets along the sea front
The attractive property in the previous photo had the water at the rear and had its own jetty.
We walked through this little park and came across the cathedral.
A very simple interior, unlike most European Roman Catholic Cathedrals.
Education is highly valued in Costa Rica, but there are obviously security issues there too.
A small police station, flying the national flag.
One of a few homes which has been modernised and looked after.
Football (soccer) is very popular throughout Central America.
There is a ferry to some outlying islands, but it looked a little the worse for wear.
We finally sat in the cool bar of the resort hotel and this was the view. Extensive paving is being undertaken on the sea front. It will be quite attractive when it’s completed.
We had walked by the fishing boats and this one was coming back accompanied by the opportunistic frigate birds.
On our way back to the ship we spotted an iguana. Look carefully at the centre of the photo.
This one posed a little better for us.
There were a lot of used cars awaiting sale on part of the road along the seafront. Whatever works!
Well I suppose Pepsi and Costa Rica do have the colours red, white and blue in common!
There were no tugs helping the ship at this stage, but the wind was very strong.
The palms along the beachfront show the strength of the wind.
A beautiful sun set to complete the day.
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