| We've discovered
a major boon for tourists trying to find their way from the San Jose
airport to Lake Arenal sites (or elsewhere in Costa Rica), a task
especially difficult after dusk. A company called SmartWays (www.rsgps.net)
now rents GPS units which can be programmed prior to arrival to highlight
tourists' particular destinations and routes. Sergio Vargas, IT Manager
at the company, wrote that, while certain sections of Costa Rica have
not yet been mapped, already included are La Fortuna, Nuevo Arenal,
Tilaran, San Luis and Tronadora. Businesses that want to be programmed
precisely into the database can do so for 25.000 colones a year. A
technician will then visit to obtain the exact coordinates.
Nuevo Arenal resident Gloria
Dempsey, a zoologist, has sent out a lengthy email warning pet owners
of the increase of the deadly tick-borne disease Erlichiosis, "the
hidden disease in dogs." It can cause "anemia, hemorrhage,
depressed immune system, and death," she writes. The preventive
measure is to keep one's dogs as free of ticks as possible using
local topicals that are put in the center of the animal's back once
a month to protect against various parasites. For her fuller elucidation
of the effects and treatment of the disease, email Gloria at gdemzool@racsa.co.cr.
In our January 5 Arenal Report,
we wrote about "aspiring sausage king David Aust" and
his variety of European sausages. Having then received individual
orders of as much as 200
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kilos a month (that
from a businessman in Heredia), David is in danger of becoming a sausage
slave. His sausage is available at the new Carneceria Unica, across
from ICE in Tilaran. You can order from him directly at 695-5810.
Dave Warner of Toad Hall, the
popular northside gift shop, gallery, and lakeview café between
Arenal and the dam, writes that they are now open for dinner from
five to eight pm (by reservation only), with their regular menu
supplemented by a Chef's Choice Plato del Dia, "a sampler plate
of the very best in Comidas de Costarricense American Style."
Toad Hall also has a cookbook coming out soon, he says.
Viento Fresco Cataratas, the
wonderfully scenic descending series of four waterfalls a few miles
from Tilaran on the road to Monteverde, now has added horseback
riding to their very enjoyable enterprise. The traditional foot-borne
experience (about $7) is for some daunting since it's a long hike
back up even from the third waterfall with its swimmable pond. On
the guided horseback tour ($40), you ride to the top of the trail
and continue by foot. The horses are then brought by a different
route to meet you near the bottom and carry you back up. You sometimes
dismount to peer into the trees while your guide points out sloths,
howler monkeys, or perhaps a sleeping coati. Once you're back at
the office, the charming family gifts you with a beer or a soda
at their new "soda."
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