Port 23 Puntarenas, Costa Rica
Hola, once again!
We are in Puntarenas for the second time on Feb 21st on this “Whirled Cruise” itinerary. I was planning to on a zipline excursion, but once again, my excursion was cancelled! I have more cancelled excurions than completed ones. I hope that changes.
If you recall in our first visit here I identified three structures on the far side of Puntarenas that I wanted to explore. That is our plan for today.
We were supposed to be arriving at 8 AM, so I set my alarm for 7 AM. I was awakened at 6:15 AM by the side thrusters pushing us up to the dock. So I missed the entrance into the huge bay that leads to the small point of Puntarenas. Bummer!
We begin with the ship at dock, the same place we were the last time (Dec 28th)!
Looking down the dock at Puntarenas. This is the view from our veranda!
OK, we’re in the right place…
The market is under a nice new shady spot!
Four cannon remind us this place was not always at peace
Puntarenas celebrates the tourists who come to visit through this port
This is a beautiful little amphitheater! But we have no idea what kind of performances are seen here
Perhaps the artwork on the side of the amphitheater is telling us that theatrical and musical arts are performed here
This is the local supermarket. Albertsons, Krogers, Ralphs, King Soopers, and Publix have never looked this good!
There isn’t an organized street art display here like in French Polynesia, but the art we see is good!
This oversized chari reminds us of the big chairs in the park in Merida, Mexico. We didn’t ask anyone what this is about.
There is a classic skateboard park by the beach
And there is a rad skateboard track! Sad that neither were being used! We just hope this means all of the kids are currently at school!
Now we reach the concrete structures we saw on our first visit.
The first appears to be four towers linked, and I think they are water tanks!
Four concrete towers appear to be water tanks
The second structure is found in the center of a large memorial park. It, too, appears to be a water tank, but much smaller than the previous.
Water tank in the center of a park
This one has a central spiral staircase!
Spiral stairs lead to… where?
The tower is surrounded with four paintings depicting an event or series of events. I’m not sure where it starts. So here are the four panels. Maybe you can decipher the story? The panels are in order going clockwise around the tower and reading left to right.
On our way to the third mystery artifact we find this unique bridge over nothing in the park.
Aggregate rock bridge in the park
The third item is this interesting buttressed church
Mysteries solved, we head back to the ship, and encounter more paintings. The artwork is beautiful! What is disturbing is there is concertina wire over just about every wall and fence in Puntarenas. Either there is a really good concertina wire salesman here, or burglaries are really bad.
Beautiful underwater art by a collective of artists named at the bottom right
Another beautiful panel by a collective of artists
A not so beautiful wall – some strange business?
A painting we can relate to, and similar to what we just saw in Mazatlan…
But this is part of a business. Any guesses what it is?
Would you believe a burger joint?
Last, but not least, a gorgeous dragon!
Near the dock there is a beautiful serpentine walkway
Insignia is at the end of the dock to avoid low tide – it’s a long walk!
The beaches are unspoiled
Wish we could say the same about the water – maybe that’s why the beaches here are empty
As the sun drops the mountains get a little color, but remain heavily cloud covered
Some drummers and dancers are allowed on the dock to entertain returning guests -they are LOUD!
Sunset is amplified by a fire that is burning in the area – smoke and soot fill the air and rain down on our ship
We finally pull away from the dock, about 50 minutes late
Farewell, Puntarenas! Next port of call – Panama City!
