I DO BELIEVE WE LEFT OFF HERE…………….
COSTA RICA and MY FRIEND THE GREETER!
HELLO,
WELCOME TO TORTUGUERRO!
Homes along the RIVERSIDE.
A TOWN called SAN FRANCISCO!Population about 500.
TARZAN ROPES.
STUNNING VEGETATION.
HERCULES…….MY little BUDDY.
First found in my hammock on the way to dinner upon our return he was peering INSIDE!
I name HIM HERCULES because HE hopped up 16 stairs.
The ITALIAN caught HIM from the INSIDE!
SEE no windows ONLY SCREENS!
The BEAUTY Of the morning AWAKENING began about 4 am…..
With those MONKEY’s!
This is FOR FADED VELVET!
Can you do this with YOUR TOILET PAPER?
They have made a FLOWER that sits on TOP of the ROLL.
I found it to be a stunning little DETAIL!
It can RAIN in COSTA RICA……which by the way means RICH COAST.
I would have liked to bring SOME back for my GARDEN and share with CALIFORNIA!
It only lasts for about 30 minutes if that.
PARADISE……..NO?
Our ROOM.
Overlooking the RIVER that leads to the PACIFIC OCEAN.
TWO HAMMOCKS and TWO ROCKING CHAIRS on FRONT PORCH.
THE DOOR to our room……….reminded me of a SHIP.
Actually like SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON!
A DIVINE TREE HOUSE!
Back PORCH…….
TWO LEATHER CHAIRS and a FISH!
ACCESSORIZED for A NIGHT OUT.
The ROOM.
Told the ITALIAN he gets the TWIN BED if he mis-behaves!
There was another double bed so a FAMILY could be very happy here.
Curtains hung around each bed.
Two Powder rooms!!!!!
THE FISH AND ME!
This doggy was in the WATER……..
A BIG NO NO!
As you saw from the last POST on COSTA RICH there are CAIMAN in these WATERS!!!
A SLOTH.
THAT DARK BUNDLE.
AN UGLY LITTLE GUY.
There were TONS of BIRDS.
MONKEY’s TOO!
A JUMPING MONKEY!
Wings closed.
Wings and NECK ELONGATED!
Can you see my YELLOW FACE?
SAME BIRD!!!!!
He was VERY thoughtful as he changed positions for me!
Cruising through the CANALS.
At any moment I expected a DINOSAUR to appear!
These ROOTS were MAGNIFICENT!
How many shades of GREEN can YOU count?
I stopped at 12.
Our ABODE.
Top RIGHT.
After an excursion We were always GREETED by MY FRIEND on the ground and fruit drinks on a TRAY!!!!
How many of YOU remember FANTASY ISLAND?
“The PLANE ~THE PLANE!”
Well, let me tell you the AIR STRIP was across the river from our ABODE!
THIS my ITALIAN found out about on his walk at DUSK!
This is the FLOWER COCO CHANEL uses to make CHANEL number 5!
THE FRAGRANCE!!!!!!
I kept for 5 days.
It turned BLACK on the third day but still was WAFTING the ODUR.
Here WE are in the DEPTHS of the JUNGLE and PARIS is mentioned!
GOTTA LOVE THAT!
Me in my morning GARB for breakfast!
View at BREAKFAST.
Needless, to say I wasNOT ready to come back HOME!
AND
I LOVE MY HOME and ANIMALS!
NEXT UP HOW I MET MY ITALIAN 30 plus years ago!
HINT
MY MOTHER TOLD ME TO OPEN MY EYES!
Taste of France says
What an amazing trip. I am in utter awe of how you really look like a contessa in those colorful caftans. They probably are as comfortable as they are classy. I would look like a pile of damp laundry that someone forgot to hang up (way too short for caftans). Not to mention that I have the same chin as your greeter.
Sigh.
Your glee at your discoveries is contagious. More! Give us more! I had to look at each photo at least three times, and I’ll probably be back for more.
Can’t wait to hear about the beginning of the Italian saga. With many illustrations, I hope.
contessa says
I have THAT chin TOO!
How YOU ended up in MY SPAM I have NO IDEA but THANK GOODNESS I found YOU!These computers drive ME MAD sometimes!
I will have to DIG for photos which are unreachable at the moment……………maybe the ITALIAN SAGA will be ALL VOCABULARY and NO photos for a CHANGE!
I do have MORE Photos but I think WE must put THE RICH COAST TO BED now…………..
It is OVER.
But NEVER FORGOTTEN cause I have it HERE to remember it all by.
I hope I do not disappoint in the ITALIAN TALE!!!!!!!!!
XX
Heather in Arles says
Contessa, you must use photos if you can find any! It is too great of a story to go without.
And I so agree – did people wonder if you really were a Contessa? I have seen with my own eyes how you can stop traffic in San Francisco so I imagine that in Costa Rica you made an enormous splash!
xo
Sandra sallin says
Just as your still reveling in your exciting and gorgeous trip, I’m sure the natives still have not gotten over the glamour that is you in the jungle. Madame Chanel 5. Superb experience.
Jen says
What a fabulous journey. Thank you for bringing us along.
Rebecca NYC says
Oh thank you for sharing!!! What a fabulous vacation! !!!!!!!!
Rebecca NYC says
Not sure why all those question marks showed up. Sheesh. No question at all…you had a fabulous time, and so did we, vicariously….
contessa says
Because you responded on your PHONE?The phone does that I am told I can CHANGE THEM!!!
XX
marci piraro says
It looks so lush and green. And you look like you fit right in to the tropical paradise. My daughter calls Chanel No. 5 my Mom smell, because I wore it a lot when she was little, although not exclusively. Now when I know I will be seeing her, I make sure to put on Chanel No. 5 so I will smell like “Mom”!!!!. Looking forward to the story of you and the Italian and your wedding.
contessa says
THE PHONE does not allow the EMOJI to WORK here for some strange reason……..I can CHANGE THEM!
I ADORE YOUR STORY!!!
YES!YOU MUST SMELL LIKE MOM WHEN THE DAUGHTER is around!
XX
marci piraro says
Supposed to be a smiling face emoji, not question marks.
contessa says
CHANGED THEM!
Mrs Rose says
What an amazing, romantic trip. You left us hanging…can’t wait to see how you followed your mother’s advice and how the romance with the Italian blossomed. Write fast, I’m dying to hear the story…
contessa says
I cannot promise SUPER FAST……….as I am still dealing with MOM and her stuff!I WILL TRY TO write it up next week!I need to hear about LOTUSLAND!!!!!!!!
XX
Ali says
Thank you so very much….fab photos..you are truly stunning.
Ali
contessa says
Well, ALI………you want to be my NEW BEST FRIEND?
XX
THANK YOU!
Sandra Sallin says
You are so exotic just like the places you visit. The rest of us are in sensible clothing for travel. NOT YOU!!!! Love your look!
contessa says
IT ALL WORKED AND MY LUGGAGE WASNOT FULL……..ITALIAN was very PLEASED!
Cotton and Linen and a few CAFTANS!LIGHT and EASY!
MUST DRESS for the ANIMALS and PEOPLE……………….out of RESPECT!No one wants to look at FLIP FLOPS and shorts on a woman who is ALMOST 56!!!!!!!!!
XO
Tara says
About to cook a quick dinner, wine poured, reading YOU !!!
Love it all, excepting worried about the monkeys if I go. Animals seem to ‘get’ me. Totally. Haven’t met a monkey yet. Imagine one at the foot of the bed with a cup of coffee for me in the morning. Knowing me better, a glass of champagne before heading out in the evening.
Glad to see you did not pack light.
Garden & Be Well, XO T
contessa says
SEE COMMENT ABOVE!
I DID PACK LIGHT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
There will be NO MONKEYS near YOU!They are ALL high UP in the TREES!The IGUANA’s will not approach you either………Nothing to be worried about unless like that DOGGY in the WATER you decide to take a DIP!That would be RISKY!YOU should go TARA it is SO close for YOU…………..and the PLANTS YOU WILL TOTALLY UNDERSTAND and be in HEAVEN!XX
Penelope Bianchi says
How unbelievably beautiful!! I love the animals and especially the birds and the sloth! I hope you got that dog out of there! Tee hee!
Thank God you are telling the story about the Italian! It’s my favorite!!!
contessa says
THAT DOG swam around our boat then got on land and ran beside us for at least a MILE!!!
I guess HE knew what HE was doing!Let’s HOPE SO anyway!!!!!He was a CUTIE!
XO
Laura C. says
What a beautiful and unique place! The “house frog” was too cute, as he peered in your window.
I love the way you embrace and enjoy your surroundings. Clearly, you experienced and appreciated all that it had to offer!
contessa says
It was SO RELAXING LAURA C.
THAT FROG……well HERCULES I so wanted to bring HIM inside but I knew better.I looked for HIM the next day but He did not come back!!!He was a GEM!Even one of the Guides at the resort wanted MY photos of HIM!!!
He was a piece de Resistance!
XX
Bungalow Hostess says
Oh that place looks amazing! So much fun getting away on an adventure in an exotic locale…
Your Chanel flower, the one The Italian found, do you know the name of it by any chance?
contessa says
NO, I do not recall…………….BUT google CHANEL number 5 ingredients!!!!!!!
I bet GOOGLE can TELL…………XX
contessa says
VIA EMAIL:
Great photos. I could do without the lizards while visiting that beautiful place–very scary looking.
Lynda
contessa says
NOTHING TO BE SCARED ABOUT……..CHARMING creatures they will walk away from you faster then YOU them!
Penelope Bianchi says
The beauty of your trip (no, just one beauty!!) is that you show these beautiful animals……(that some find scary or ugly!) They are beautiful! You show them in their natural habitat…..and that is one reason Costa Rica is such a lovely place to visit! It is NATURE!!
You show what fun, and what beauty and what nature looks like from the view of a CONTESSA!!
This place and all of its animals is exquisite! I cannot wait to go!!!
I adored seeing the sloths……the animals…..the monkeys….the reptiles……they are all so beautiful….and not scary at all!!! An appreciation of the beauty of nature…..in its element! I adored no windows….only screens!
Now this is the number one place I want to go! You are teaching us all…..never to say……”ewwww”!
These animals are gifts…..and this trip is a gift and a learning thing for ALL of us!
BRAVA!!!!! Italian and your bride!!!
Penelope Bianchi says
Lynda……no no no……not scary! Contessa showed us that! What to be scared of! Unfamiliar? Never be scared of unfamiliar…..animals are rarely scary. Certainly not those! Get over it and see through Contessa’s eyes! One can learn everything!!
ie how to dress in the jungle!!!
Joy Moos says
`I was totally mesmerized looking at your pictures…what a magical trip…and romantic place to capture such photos and memories…I too have say “THANK YOU” for letting me join you and The Italian!
Can’t wait for the romance novel of your meeting and marrying such a hunk!
contessa says
HAPPY to TAKE YOU ALONG!
MORE THE MERRIER!!!!!!!!!
XX
Lillian Plummer says
Idyllic place to celebrate an anniversary. Loved the pics. Seem to remember reading about your wedding shoes on your blog and the Gucci element, looking forward to more.
contessa says
YES, I have mentioned BEFORE!
GOOD MEMORY!!!!
Hope I can RISE to the STORY!
XX
Penelope Bianchi says
Are you kidding? Your best story! And I heard it with my own ears! From your own mouth!!!
Brilliant story!
DONNA says
Can’t WAIT for your next post about meeting the Italian. I know some of the details, but not all. Loved the last two post about your trip. Just beautiful.
contessa says
THANKS DONNA!
HAPPY TO SEE YOU HERE!!!!!!!!NOW what is a happening with YOUR INSTAGRAM?
ONE PHOTO in how many months?
XX
Kathy L says
Thank you for sharing more photos of your trip. I felt like I was there! Such exotic flora and fauna.
Marla in the OC says
What an adventure! And so chic. Total agree that dressing nicely is respectful of others — and good for your own self-esteem. The world is your runway!
contessa says
“THE WORLD IS MY RUNWAY!”
GOOD GRIEF WOMAN……….HOW I ADORE THIS LINE…………I will BE QUOTING YOU FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE!
XX
Marla in the OC says
I’m pretty sure I’m not the first to utter that line. But I’m glad it delights you! Strut on!
Marla in the OC says
Just checked for a proper attribution of that line: none other than Coco Chanel. Of course. I have a Coco book by my bedside and I must have read it there.
contessa says
Well, if that is NOT PERFECT after mentioning THE FLOWER her perfume is made from…………….I will always REMEMBER IT NOW!
Thank YOU for being SO efficient!!!!!!!
XX
foodiefan says
Looking glamorous as always!! Another great post. Loved the photos of the jungle but also the rain coming off the roof of your room which would have been particularly mesmerizing. Don’t wait another 30 years to holiday with the Italian…..perhaps next time you book one to surprise him?
See you in 2 weeks! xo
contessa says
VERY EXCITED TO SEE YOU and THE MISTER!
I have VIDEO of THAT rain remind me to share with YOU!
XX
Daron says
Loved the story, adored the photos – those caftans – too die for! But the thing I envied the most was the rain! We so need it down here in South Africa at the moment. Delighted that you had a great holiday. Can’t wait for the next instalment of your life. Tjank you for sharing it with us.
contessa says
WE NEED IT TOO DARON here in CALIFORNIA……..we have been in a drought now for YEARS!
THANK YOU for YOUR COMMENT!!I love to hear from YOU…….and SOUTH AFRICA has a SPECIAL place in MY HEART!
BEEN there TWICE…………..XX
Hope(Australia) says
Dear Contessa,I have to learn to how to post comments on your Instagram,You are wildly original and inspiring.
Never been to Costa Rica but in the near future I just have to visit.
Since I found your blog I got a few new kaftans for my self.See I like to copy people that I admire.
contessa says
Well, YOU are living in KAFTAN WORLD down there…………TO COPY is the BEST FORM of FLATTERY!Someone said, that but don’t ASK me WHO!
To comment on INSTAGRAM is easy Look at the photo. Below is a HEART for LIKE or a CIRCLE for a comment!Hit the circle then it says ADD A COMMENT.WHen you have finished push the GREEN SEND button next to the comment.NOW YOU TRY!
SEND ME A COMMENT and see if you get it…….Otherwise, I will send you out to the beach to find a YOUNG THING WHO CAN HELP!!!!!!!!!!XX
Anita Rivera says
WOW, Contessa, this was another FUN tour, following your expressive narrative (which I LOVE) and seeing your little buddies (that darling frog peeping in through the screen) and that LIZARD! What fun you now have in your memory to walk through. Oh the rain, what if California could get such a shower every day? BLISS!!!!!
Marvelous tour dearest Contessa!
contessa says
MARVELOUS YOU!
Are YOU working on your CARDS???We need to catch UP!
XX
Amie says
Hercules is something else! Did he think you had a juicy bug tidbit for him? So adorable.
I love your caftans and I think harum pants? Perfection. Inspirational.
Your room and deck look so nice, so relaxing.
Oh my goodness how soon can I book a flight?
I have got to figure out instagram! Why has it taken me so long! I am missing out!
I can’t wait until The Italian Edition comes out.
Awaiting with bated breath.
contessa says
OH, I better START writing the ITALIAN EDITION as NOW I am getting NERVOUS!I hope YOU all find it INTERESTING Or better yet HUMOROUS!
YOU are much closer to COSTA RICA then I…………..BOOK THAT FLIGHT when school is DONE!
XX
stephanie thonet says
wonderful photos elizabeth!!
your hotel looks absolutely heavenly! the view!!! i would have adored to make that canal ride!
xx
contessa says
THANK YOU!
IT was right out of PARADISE……………..owned by an AMERICAN who traveled to CR 30 years ago to go RAFTING!They have done a BEAUTIFUL JOB and all the employee’s seem VERY HAPPY!They all call you by your FIRST NAME!They could even say GIAMPIERO!!!!!!!!
XX
Ms. Mary says
Another load of magazine-quality pictures. You looked stunning, as usual. The river views gave the feel of total relaxation, which I know you deserve. I loved the lush vegetation, and especially the roots of that tree!
I sense a new career in the wings- travel photographer?
Well done, and welcome home. <3
contessa says
FUNNY MS. MARY……..
How often DO you think THE ITALIAN will let me “TAKE OFF?”Who would prep his lunch and DINNER?We have been eating ITALIAN BEANS from the GARDEN!
DELICIOUS……….BANKSY helped out last night he liked them TOO!
THE BEAUTY was ALL AROUND……..one couldn’t take a BAD PHOTO!
XX
Priscilla Pilkington says
So much to do ,so much to see. I would be in no rush to get home either. Thank you for sharing.
Lisa says
Oh how lush and beautiful.
Sandra Sallin says
Oh, we can’t wait for the wedding saga! I think you will inspire women everywhere to dress up when they travel to the jungle! No more shorts or flip flops. Now it’s caftans and Chanel 5!
Penelope Bianchi says
Sandra……you are so right……how about no flip-flops anywhere at all?? (beach ok!) Call me crazy and old fashioned…..I am sick to death of “Slobbovia” (see Al Capp) and I love seeing creative and lovely clothes! They need not be expensive!!!
It is sickening to me to see people in dirty, ugly clothes with dirty feet and dirty flip-flops going out to nice restaurants to dinner!!! It is disrepesctful to other people, the restaurant….and anyone who sees them on the way. Visual pollution! Call me Cranky Granny……it is pathetic!!!!
Why??? I have no idea!!!!
Mithra Ballesteros says
You and your handsome mate looked quite at home in your Swiss Family treehouse! I will join your legions of readers who wait with bated breath for the story of how you two met. Don’t leave out the little details! (Actually, you always include little asides, which are like little cinnamon-sugar-butter bits from a crumb cake — the best part!)
contessa says
I LOVE CRUMB CAKE!!!!!!!
Fran says
Cara Contessa, YOU NEVER disappoint!! Absolutely adored PART TWO!! You MUST share the name of of your abode – where exactly is it in Costa Rica? You look positively radiant in the pictures and I am SO loving your gold shoes!!
contessa says
The hotel was called LA TORTUGA LODGE & GARDENS.
I THINK!
I never saw THE NAME ANYWHERE!!!!!!!!!!!
MY GOLD shoes took a BEATING……….as the rain absorbed up into them!!!
THANKS for your interest!
XX
Diana Amato says
This is a fabulous adventure that you shared in such detail! Thank you for letting us have a glimpse of this wonderful time in your life. I, too, am familiar with those Chanel no.5 flowers. A dear friend here in La Jolla has the trees growing in her garden and every time I visit her, I take a couple with me to toss in my little FIAT500. My little car smells incredible all the time!
contessa says
YOU DO KNOW I DRIVE A FIAT 500 RIGHT?I must find a FRAGRANT FLEUR to enhance MY DRIVE!!!!!!!!XX
Diana Amato says
Yes! I saw your post with your FIAT! My husband thought I was Pazzo for wanting one…. now, he wants to be the passenger in it every time we go somewhere!
LA CONTESSA says
WHAT color do YOU HAVE?I ADORE MINE…………..although I wouldn’t drive down highway 5 for 7 hours to visit YOU I don’t think!Perhaps, WE should start a FIAT 500 CLUB!
XX
PAZZO…………NO NON E VERO!
SMART WOMAN!
Diana Amato says
I have a Black one with a Black Convertible Top. It’s Sassy! I love your idea of a FIAT500 Club. We should organize it! As for driving the I-5 in either direction, NO WAY! I’ve already got too many silver threads through my hair.
contessa says
HA!
SOUNDS DIVINE………..AN INSTAGRAM photo soon PLEASE!
XX
Fran says
Cara Contessa, can you PLEASE tell me what camera you used to take all those FANTASTIC photos?! THANK YOU for SHARING!!
contessa says
MY OLD CANON……….S_ something…..will look tomorrow!AND my I~PHONE!
THANKS!
XX
LA CONTESSA says
CANON EOS
Anita Rivera says
Hello there, BEAUTIFUL! Thank you for stepping into my garden. If you heard the fireflies buzzing about while you read my post, then I did my job!
Enjoy the magic within YOU, FABULOUS YOU!!!!!!
cindy hattersley says
I would love to hear more about your trip! It looks like you had a fabulous time…such amazing natural beauty..
contessa says
It was BEAUTIFUL………CALL me after TODAY!Last loads from Mom’s house!!!!!!XX
Anita says
The country is so lush and busting with wildlife.
Water everywhere, full rivers, tropical downpours.
A nature lovers dream.
Thank you for sharing your dream Elizabeth…….your holiday with us.
Lots of love
xx neat xx
LA CONTESSA says
YOU WOULD LOVE IT THERE!!!!!!!!!!
Here I do not even know YOU but I DO know YOU would ENJOY IT SO MUCH!
Only if we can STOP you from going to the UK for HOLIDAY!That might be a tuff one to manage!
You are an EARTH LOVING GREEN GODDESS when it comes to NATURE!I can tell THAT much from our texts and phone calls!!!!!!!
XO
Loree says
Yes i do think that you have found a little bit of paradise. We’re back home in the heat and I am not too happy. English summers are mild and it rains every other day or so which helps their gardens look spectacularly beautiful. I do love that frog you made friends with. He looks darn cute. If you find any rain that nobody wants, send some over here. The whole place is parched and my plants are not doing so well even though we try to water them every day.
LA CONTESSA says
WILL DO……………..
LOOK FORWARD to reading about your ESCAPE on the BLOG!!!!
XX
cherie says
What a trip Contessa! I love how all the animals are just hanging out with you. I would go there just to be with the sloths. What is the name of the flower that Chanel used for #5? Fascinating. Loving your caftans too!!
XO
cherie
[email protected]
STYLE NUDGE
contessa says
YLANG YLANG!
XO
Catherine says
The photos are so magnificent and give me such a feel for being there that I had to put my hair up. I got really hot and humid! I LOVE the photos so much. And Hercules. I want him for a pet and I promise I won’t eat his legs.
Ready for Part III!
contessa says
YOU are SO FUNNY!!!!!!!
THANK YOU!
I was ready to put HERCULES IN MY BAG!
NO PART THREE!!!!!!
JUST GO!It would be a quick trip straight down the EAST COAST for you and BONAPART!
XX
Lisa says
Love the photos of your trip- thinking about going to Costa Rica next year, in June, but have heard from several travelers that June is the rainy season.
I did note some rainy weather in some of your photos, would you say most days had some rain or only a few? and how long was your trip?
did you have a favorite place?