3 - 17 - 23 Traveled to the Guanacaste Province of Costa Rica, which is the northwest area from March 2 - March 15. Have visited the other areas of Costa Rica in the past. Thirty years ago, first visted the northeast, had many dirt area, very beautiful and tranquil, another time the southeast. To visit the eastside, one has to fly into San Jose, the capitol, then had to drive over a very high mountain, into the clouds and mist, if you want to visit the westcoast, is a very dangerous road with lots of potholes and locals who drive it, drive very fast on the other side of the road, which has no road barriers, blocking the cliff. Ten years ago the USA, built the new airport in Liberia, making it a easy trip to visit the westcoast, it's beach and national parks. Weather was hot, 90 degree temperature, but lower at the beach with it's breeze. Stayed in Playa Coco, lovely hotel that had good breakfasts and food. Drove to Playa Ocotal had white sand and turquoise ocean, which could be walked to or drive for 10 minutes and park under a palm tree. Lots of fruit trucks around near the beach and driving to other places, offering watermelon, cantaloupe, bananas, mangos and more. Costa Rica takes US dollars, but give you change in their money, which is colonies. People are warm and friendly and is a country with no military. Did a day trip to Rincon de la Viego National Park, which is not far from Nicaruga's southern border. Cool breezes since high in the mountain with an active volcano and waterfall. We did a hike around the one of the trails that had lots of steps going up, then down, passing howler monkeys high in the trees, iguanas and bubbling mud pots. There's two entrances to the park, we took the one that a rancher owns the land and had to pay a guard $1.50 each to pass thru his land, before entering the park, which was a long dirt road, before reaching the entrance. A wondeful, peaceful visit to a beautiful country.

10 - 5 - 22 We travelled to Lisbon, Portugal and Seville, Spain from September 20 til October 4. While there we took a train from Lisbon to visit Sintra, an hour away, north of Lisbon. Beautiful place, lots of art works along walkways and into the historic center, where there are lots of shops and tourists, along with hills, villas and lush gardens. While in Lisbon, we stayed in the Belem area, the historic centre, close to trams, metro and buses, lots of restaurants and walking distances to sites. No liter anywhere, not on the sidewalks or streets, nor where any of the numerous outdoors cafes are. People are eating delicious pastries and coffee from morning til into the night. Rode the 15E around the area and along their museum row to see the district. On Friday, we took the train, which is a 3 hour ride into Faro, along The Algarve. Faro is much more low-key than Lisbon, less tourists around. Walked to the "Old Town", where the walls are built during the 16th and 17th century, all cobbled stone tiled streets and sidewalks. Visited the Chapel of Bones, where there are the remains of 1,245 monks. Next, train trip was to Tavira, one hour south of Faro. Convenient hotel to the ferry that takes you to Tavira Island, costing $2.20 round trip, is one of the best beaches along The Algarve. Tavira is a beautiful town with cobbled streets and sidewalks, lots of outdoor dining, cafes and gelato places. Everyday was mild, sunny with blue skies From Tavira, a bus takes 3 hrs to arrive in Sevilla, Spain. The hotel is a morner mansion, built in the 18th century, situated near the magnificent Cathedral The Cathedral of Sevilla is the oldest gothic Cathedral in the world. The Royal Alcázars of Seville historically known as al-Qasr al-Muriq and commonly known as the Alcázar of Seville is a royal palace in Seville, Spain, situated near the Cathedral The Spanish Royal family uses it as their offical Seville residence. Both places are UNESCO sites. The Museo Bellas Arts had a lot of religous paintings from the 1500's and was once a former convent. While in Seville, walked across the Rio Guadelquivir river to the Triana area, where there are beautiful home along the river. After four days in Seville, we returned to Lisbon. Taking a lift to half way up the highest hill to visit the Castle S. Jorge, built in the 11th Century by the Islamic. During our visit, we encountered lots of tourists everywhere and would have liked to have been immersed with the people of Portugal and Seville, but renting a car would have been required to drive outside of historic centre and area, into the countryside and elsewhere. Overall, it was great to visit this part of the world!