It has been a long long time that I have gone to India by myself. Also so soon after the last trip. Dad is not doing well after surgery and mom seems to showing early signs of relapse 🙁 Hope to see them for a few days and also my brother and sister who are bearing the brunt of all the parental caregiving.

I will miss most having wine with Sharmila every evening while there. And the kids and her for New Year’s Eve 🙁

Will be a bitter sweet trip….

Waiting for Sharmila!

Costa Rica Flora

Costa Rica Fauna

Costa Rica Ziplining

Costa Rica Pictures

Nov 23, 2012

Had traditional Costa Rican breakfast today – Gallo Pinto! It is basically a lot of rice and beans cooked together. Had with fried plantains, potato dish and stir fry vegetables. Rough translation of Gallo Pinto is “Indian lunch” 🙂 I was ready to go back to sleep after eating breakfast!! This also explains why Costa Rica is always adjudged the happiest country in the world 🙂

Nov 22, 2012

The river… as seen from behind the small waterfall…

Hasta la vista, Costa! Pura Vida!!
Or as we say at home – Yibbidee, Yibbidee, Yibbidee. Th-th-th-that’s all folks 🙂 — at San Jose International Airport, Costa Rica.

Thanksgiving evening: Sharmila Roy and myself sitting by ourselves with champagne facing the imposing visage of the Arenal volcano in the dark night and catching up on our life… When visiting our traditional family involves a trip to the doctor for a malaria shot, invariably “family” takes a larger meaning in life. And for the last twenty years “family” has mostly meant the friends that we made in our journey thru multiple countries, states, cities, jobs….To all those friends, we say Thanks!!! Thanks for making the journey so enjoyable that we have seldom cared about the destination!!!

In the Skytram. Sharmila Roy is harnessed up to hang on to the zip line. I was there to make sure she did not weasel out 🙂

Our companion for coffee this morning… — with Sharmila Roy at The Springs Resort and Spa, Costa Rica.

Girls ready to trot away…. — at Arenal Volcano, Costa Rica.