Passing by Puerto Caldera, Costa Rica/Carlos Pueblo

Passing by Puerto Caldera, Costa Rica/Carlos Pueblo

On the seven day, we stopped at Puerto Caldera, Costa Rica, a

container port of this nation on the Pacific Coast. The Cruise arranged

shuttle buses to transfer passengers to a city 28 kilometers away, Puntarenas,

on the other side of the Gulf of Nicoya. I didn’t take any of the land excursions

offered by the ship; therefore, I didn’t have any of the beautiful scenery view

of this beautiful nation. On the mountain roads, I didn’t see any agriculture

produce at all and I wondered if fishing was the main job opportunities for

the residents.

I walked along the city beach in adjacent to the downtown. It was early in the

morning and we were the only ship at the port. The city was not busy at all.

I saw young people jogging on the beach obviously were tourists passing by.

There are many hotels and motels on the beach front streets and I believe

that are for the car driving tourists. Costa Rica is in the Center America and I

believe is the pass way to the South America or vice versa. The residential area

and the business area are mixed and I see some tall mango trees bearing green

fruits which reminds me my childhood time at Huwei, Taiwan. We did have a lot

of mango trees at that time before the population boom of 70’s.

I followed many passengers to take the shuttle bus to return to the ship early.

It’s because that I don’t do shopping any longer. Once I am getting in age, my

need is diminished. Other than regular living expanse, cruise is my main expenditure.

I don’t buy jewelry, sweat shirts, and gifts at all.

Ship programs at the port day are less than at the sea day, yet there is still some

activities on board, i.e. visiting restaurants and sitting at the atrium to see people.  

Usually, I would chat with some of my adopted daughters at the restaurants

especially one ice cream store called CoCo, a paid restaurant one inside and one

outside. This is the first time for me to take the Bliss and I am still learning the location

of the facility.

The ship took off in the early evening and night programs resumed. The entire ship

became alive again. Imagine that it is a small U.S. township people stay in a huge

vessel with more than 30 restaurants, bars, and a full function casino.