Seeking crew for a change...but not quite yet

It was a coincedence to end up spending New Years at FlutterBy House next to Marino Ballena National Park.  Nothing has really been planned concerning my Costa Rican travels other than where I’m heading next.  Tomorrow, 1/3/2019 I take the bus a couple hours for my 3 plus weeks at the Finca Bella Vista Treehouse Community.I had a pleasant New Years despite being alone.  I took a nice walk out to the whale tail for which the National Park is named.. I was amongst an exodus of many others.. The walk ended with a beautiful sunset.  After a shower and dinner I talked with a few groups of people.. most were trying to decide if they would go to a party on the beach or the one in the small town of Uvita?  The sinks along one end of the bathhouse building had women lined up putting on makeup.. to go to an outside party in the dark... Anyway I kind of expected the FlutterBy House would be a scene of a party but it was not and even the kitchen closed early. People who know me know, I’m not much…

I arrived to FlutterBy House in Uvita, Costa Rica about noon on December 30.  I’ve been relaxing but have taken a walk for the sunset each evening.  I stayed at this hostel back in February of 2012 which was when I first traveled on rental income in winter.  Flutterby House used to call itself,  FlutterBy .. Hostel by the Sea.  It was 4 years old back then as this was the 10th anniversary.  It was started and is owned by 2 sisters from California..  It has a good vibe.  Things have changed since 2012.. it’s still a cool hostel but I kind of liked it more before.  It’s at a great location on the edge of Marino Ballena National Park... named after the ’Whale Tail’  tomobolo formation.  There are humpback whales in the area as well and tours are of course offered.  Back in 2012 I saw whales spouting a couple times well off shore but nothing this time.  There were a lot more people on the beach than 6 years ago.  Also, more other hostels and some new private homes.  One corner lot that ha…

Well I guess I’ll post again.. although I’m not sure it’s worth it.  Really, I started blogging about 2012 so my dear old (now deceased) mom could keep up with what I’m up to, such as volunteer crewing and other travels.  I had gotten her an iPad and subscribed her to my blog.  She enjoyed getting my emailed blog posts even though I was not sure she ever remembered to click the link but more likely just read the email and looked at the photos in the post.  As she grew yet older, she lost her ability to use the iPad so was much more isolated from my travels.   I was not impressed with Jaco..and didn’t do much other than take a swim in the surf and hike up to a overlook of the beach with some other hostel people.  We got to one spot but knew there was something more impressive.  I continued on at a faster pace than the other 4 but took a wrong turn.. I climbed and climbed but saw no structure painted with a mural..  Back at the hostel I learned the others had found the mural painted str…

I think it was sometime last winter while doing some online research concerning sailing and Costa Rica that I came upon the Ceiba project.  SailCargo.org   I thought it was pretty interesting so I decided to invest..although at a minimum level.  I just wanted to be a part in supporting the project.  Obviously with my traveling to Costa Rica this winter I wanted to visit the shipyard.  I asked about volunteering for a couple weeks but was told they have all the volunteers needed at this point.  Also, I think a longer than 2 weeks period is much preferred.  I  camped at the shipyard 3 nights. My visit coencided with the winter solstice with a full moon and an end of the year party.  I even got a Christmas gift.  There are about 18 people living here and working on the project.  It’s amazing the high degree of wooden boat building credentials and experience the volunteers have.  The team is made up of people from Canada, France, Germany, Denmark, Netherlands, Argentina and the U.K.  I th…