Bienvenidos/Welcome to sunny Costa Rica! We are into the heart of our summer with little or no rain and lots of SOL – so don’t forget the sunblock especially at the beach..and while you’re there you can always cool off with a tasty ice cream at GNAM Gelateria & other Italian goodies….or go up, up and away with Costa Rica Parasailing… a great way to see how we look from the air! If by chance you’re still a little stressed from pre-vacation mode or you need to cool down after BeachBody Bootcamp with Pamela – wander on down the beach to relax with ”Masaje Mistico” Katreena for Reiki & a massage from Pauline- their located in front of Hotel Arboleda…we also welcome Katreena as a new writer to Quepolandia with her “Life’s a Beach” column…..speaking of new additions to Quepolandia -welcome comic strip creator “Luciano” ..you can also pick up autographed copies of his work at Jaime Peligro’s book store next door to Century 21..as you can tell this has been a plug for our beautiful beach, but don’t forget to take a walk through Quepos to enjoy our drinking establishments (always fun on St.Patrick’s Day!) & great restaurants…we have the best – check out our live music listings in the left column – and please tell our advertisers that you saw them in Quepolandia — whatever you do—have fun and enjoy our “Paradise”—hope to see you back here soon…………………..caio……..P
Bienvenidos/Welcome to Paradise! February already! We hope you are having a super vacation here with us & that Quepolandia can help guide you to interesting and fun things to do…..if you are coming or going to the beach and feel that hunger attacking try El Wagon for the BEST HOT DOG around….Quepolandia-tested & delicious – also Cold Beer that goes down easy..they just completed a really cool mosaic floor on the terrace so check it out and be sure to tell them you heard about them in Quepolandia…..we live in a very small area but have an abundance of wonderful restaurants so you will have plenty of places to enjoy …like Agua Azul home to our Guest Chef this month Rob Summers…….if you are planning to take someone special out for a Valentine dinner you will want to try out the special menus at La Hacienda or Gourmet Club at Issimo Suites. Many restaurants have live music — see our live music listings to see what’s happening & when..speaking of Live Music there will be a Blues Festival in San Jose area Feb 27th @Club Cubano, Guachipelín de Escazú….our own Robbie Clark with be performing & possibly more local musicians as well as bands from Texas..……..our cover photo this month is by Paul Reiber of Naranjito and features a symbol of Costa Rica with the painted ox cart……..this cart belongs to Vera of Dos Locos and was just recently restored by Rick, Mary &Paul – they did a great job! In the magazine, we’ve included a couple of pictures of the Annual Ox Cart Parade in San Jose…carts complete with oxen – looks like a fun event if you are in the area in late November……Byblos Resort asked us to let you know that besides Live Music on Fridays(Robbie Clark) they have Ladies Night on Mon and Latin DanceClass on Thurs… all take place in the Billfish Sport Bar………….well that about wraps it up for now… be sure to tell our advertisers that you found them in Quepolandia….come back soon…………….caio……P
Bienvenidos/Welcome to Paradise and 2010! We hope you had a wonderful Holiday and aren’t suffering from too much of the bubbly this first day of the New Year…………our weather is perfect – the fishing is excellent – the food delicious – drinks plentiful & cold – beautiful beaches – happy, friendly people – lots of fun things to do for every member of the family – you picked a fantastic place for a vacation and we are glad you are here! We hope you enjoy our magazine and when you visit our wonderful advertisers – please mention you found them in Quepolandia. We would like to congratulate Keith Sistrunk for the great picture that made our Cover – Keith is from Atlanta & vacationed here in Nov. with his parents at MangoMoon and had a wonderful time – he sent in so many beautiful shots we had a tough time choosing! Thanks Keith and congrats! We are lucky to have excellent musicians living here so there is an abundance of “live music” – just check Niven’s music listing in the left column for times and places & ENJOY! So whether you flew in from afar, sailed in on a cruise ship, or drove in for a getaway weekend, we know you will have an unforgettable time & we hope to see you back here soon…………….Pura Vida…………………P
Ah – December- the holidays – chestnuts roasting on an open fire………….oops – wrong memory……..warm sand tickling my toes, the sun on my back as I gaze off into the surf…now we have it! Ho Ho Ho and Bienvenidos/Welcome to our beautiful area.The rains are coming to an end and the sun is ramping up to full force guaranteed to thaw you out if you come from the snowy north…………..we have a lot going on this time of year so we are going to hit the high spots and fill you in, but 1st our Photo Winner cover shot is by Sean Johnstone of Plantation, Fl. Nice Shot!…….holiday dinners will abound so check our ads for those special ones like La Hacienda (also live music)Tracy always cooks up wonderful goodies and El Gran Escape who offers a Traditional Christmas dinner (Dec. 25th, 4:00pm til….Turkey & all the trimmings-Marsha’s awesome desserts!) & also their annual New Year’s Eve party mardi-gras style with the comparza (drums & dancers) & a buffet dinner (call to make reservation) plus just check around with our great restaurants to see what’s cookin’ – you won’t be disappointed……….there will be parties all over town for New Year’s Eve with live music at Dos Locos – hats – horns- lots of FUN – usually fireworks on the seawall……a word about fireworks..if you bring in the New Year on the beach – watch out for bottle rockets shooting all over..you will find yourself “in” the fireworks – so be careful!…………..it’s a great night to just wonder around town….Wacky Wanda’s, Los Pescadores, Kamuk Casino & more in Manuel Antonio as there will be good times everywhere…………..AND don’t forget to try all the great tours we have to offer- plus follow the Triathlon on Dec. 5 & 6 – just enjoy yourself – have a wonderful Holiday and come back to see us soon……………caio…P
Here it is November all ready – our rains will be coming to an end soon – we haven’t had our usual amount – prompting AYA (CR water authority) to ask for water rationing or at least a 20% reduction in consumption – sighting showering for less than 3 mins (we suggest showering with a friend!) and don’t let the hose run when you’re washing the car—or the faucet while brushing your teeth – all little things that can help………….now on to more fun ………… we hope you are having a great vacation and we are happy to have you here for a visit—don’t forget to visit the Parque Nacional Manuel Antonio celebrating 37 yrs. this month—-we have other great tours & wonderful restaurants so ENJOY – Check our ads for special menus for Thanksgiving so you won’t have to miss your Turkey Dinner! …………….Congrats to our Cover Winner Lauren Lipton of Tallahassee, Fl – Lauren sent us about 12 great pics of a wonderful vacation……………we are happy to Welcome some new folks to our little corner of Paradise…………….new businesses will be opening this month…a Jaime Peligro’sBook/Music Store (music review this month will be our own Benjammin!) owners are Jeffery & Carolyn – from Colorado Springs, CO the store will be between Century 21 & Lynch Travel so check it out…Grand Opening in late Nov.…………also a new Bakery!! Dan will be opening soon across from Vetcomer on the side street. Dan’s from Glacier Park, MT – we heard something about cinnamon rolls!! AND a big welcome to Myla &Craig from Fl who will be starting construction on a new home & plan to live here full time – Myla is a great addition to Tues. Bridge Club@ Dos Locos –all fun-lovin’ folks! AND now for the really BIG NEWS – as you can see, the all new www.quepolandia.com is up and running!! You can now follow all the happenings of Quepos/MA when you go back home! We are very excited to be offering our advertisers another avenue to enhance their business and our readers a chance to keep in touch……..so check us out – often – as we will be updating frequently!…………….our friend “Papa” Bill is stuck in Syracuse, NY getting much needed treatment on that bum knee – looks like he will be away thru the holidays – send him an email at williamcrossley@hotmail.com if you would like to keep in touch – we know that hearing from his friends at home will keep him smiling!……………that brings us to the end of my rambling………….so get out there and have some FUN!
Bienvenidos & Welcome to the heart of Green Season in our beautiful part of Paradise! We certainly hope you enjoy your stay –and don’t let a little rain slow you down – just slip – slide & slosh around with the rest of us! This is our combined issue covering Sept/Oct. to give us a short break. We plan to use it to get our long awaited website updated………so look for us at www.quepolandia.com in the very near future….. A few of our restaurants also close to give vacation time to their employees – thankfully not all at the same time so we won’t starve!…. but be sure you check before you go. We hope you will find Quepolandia interesting and helpful to your stay. While visiting our advertisers – please tell them you found them in Quepolandia! Independence Day for Costa Rica is Tues. Sept. 15th so you can expect much celebration and a BIG Parade through Quepos…… School children dressed in costume and marching bands plus the Fire Station and Police participation……so bring your camera and enjoy the fun – generally starts around 9 am in front of the seawall and meanders thru town after the speeches by officials – it’s a special time for Ticos to show their pride for their country…so come join in the celebration………Looking for a fun time on Oct.3rd come by Restaurante La Hacienda located in Plaza Yara where Tracy & Bill Maue will be hosting the 3rd Annual Green Season Chili Cook Off…………and we’re talkin’ some serious competition here!…..Contestants are vying for CASH and the coveted People’s Choice Award……..all the particulars are on page 10…………so whether you come to compete or just EAT –(be sure to taste OUR Chili) come on down at 2 PM ………Tracy tells me the Judging will come first this year…..so come early and stay for all the FUN…………..not that we ever have down time around here..but you might get a short break between the cook-off and Halloween- get that costume ready as there will be several parties around town and crazy outfits make it so much more fun ——just be safe as you enjoy yourself…..also, this month Matt Casseday is introducing his new column “Episodes” – glances into his years in Costa Rica……and as a final note……..we want to say good-bye & best wishes to our friends Mama & Papa of Sargento Garcia’s as they move on to new endeavors and maybe just a little relaxation – thanks for the fun times…… we will miss you but look forward to seeing you around town & at the Memorial Day Pig Roast ………..ciao……P
