2/19/2022 – After our morning temperature check and our celebration dance that we didn’t have to report to medical on deck four, we enjoyed our breakfast in the buffet.
The Cantaloupe is so ripe and delicious.
The egg station is also a good breakfast for fried eggs or omelets made the way you want.
Then the yogurt bar with its many toppings is fantastic. The toppings are served over the best plain Greek yogurt I have ever had.
From our balcony we watch our ship pull into port. We are the first ship in Puerto Limon, Costa Rica at 7am. It is a Cloudy humid morning. There are tugboats churning up the water on the side of the ship as we pull in. The birds are loving the churned up muddy water.
By 8am the Seaborn Ovation is docked across from us on the other pier. I would really like to go on that ship. It holds 600 passengers with a crew to passenger ratio of one to one. I am sure it is way out of my league.
We got off ship and wondered around the town for a few hours. The clouds have moved away, and it is a sunny hot humid day. Puerto Limon is the second largest city in Costa Rica with a population of about 55,000 people. In the terminal you will walk through a pretty extensive craft market with beautiful handmade local crafts. Make sure you bring small bill. You can even get a pedicure and massage. We met a couple who were headed to get a massage. They said it is the best ever. They have had a massage many times at this cruise port. It is always very hot in the craft building. I have been to this market two times now and have a really hard time staying and looking around. It is an open-air market, but Costa Rica is very hot and humid. When you depart the terminal port, go across the street and to the right is Vargas Park. This is a small park with benches, trees, and statues. Go to the next street which is the other side of the park. Walk this street to the left which runs alongside of the park, or you can walk through it, and you come to the ocean. The park provides a nice little cool haven. Costa Rica is hot. Costa Rica translates literally as “Rich Coast”.
There are a few food trucks parked near the ocean. And just like every park there are the pigeons.
On the other side of the street closer to the ocean is a nice little playground. Today there was a family having a picnic in this little park. We see many scooters along the streets with sometimes two people and a child on them.
After walking to the ocean, we walk down the street into town.
The smell of meat smoking fills the air. A small restaurant is smoking meat outside.
We pass a small casino with outside restaurant seating.
There are many places to sit outside and dine.
We spend a lot of time looking in the local stores and viewing the items they have for sale. Costa Rica’s currency is the colon.
We also walk around the markets in town.
It is a busy Saturday for the locals. The town is jumping with loud music playing.
There are very few tourists around, but a presence of many police in cars and police on bicycles. People basically just left us alone.
The strangest thing I have ever seen is that every atm machine we pass has lines of people waiting.
It is a very hot day. Steve is always amazed at the electrical wiring in some of the places we visit.
The meat market is really interesting.
Look at these lovely bakery items.
All the fruit and vegetables are so fresh looking.
There are many shoe repair shops and locals sewing shoes.
Early in the afternoon we purchase some water
and some local craft souvenirs and return to the ship.
There is some heavy metal refuse laying around the dock.
There is always constant painting and maintenance being done. Today is no exception. ocean water and winds are hard on these ships.
We hang around the pool in the afternoon. The maintenance guys are constantly busy fixing something.
Another ship fact: The Divina has a lot of cactus gardens around the ship which I love. I guess using cactus in their gardens keep people from sitting in and around them. Great idea. No one is picking the leaves from the plants. In the evening we listen to live violin and piano music.
Then we threw some money away in the casino. We have the best Cabin Attendant. He right away noticed our schedule and our room is always cleaned when we are away and is spotless. I love that the towel animals are starting to take over our room.
We are starting to think about the return to work and the cold. Tomorrow is an at sea day.
To see more about the MSC Divina click here: https://deestimes.com/divina/
For more information on Puerto Limon, Costa Rica click here: https://deestimes.com/ports/
Today’s product recommendations are traveling essentials. 1) Luggage hand cart – we love this cart for easy rolling for easy cruise carry-on bags. Even when you can’t go to your room right away this is so easy to walk around the ship with. Here’s the link https://amzn.to/3s37EOw
2) This large toiletry bag is the best. Steve has the black and I have the pink. We both absolutely love them. Here’s the link https://amzn.to/3v1p6ok and picture
