The journey from Samara to Manuel Antonio takes about five hours. But the distance is quite good to drive. To choose the wrong way is more difficult and also in Quepos we turn off the right corners, Quepos the last village before we arrive Manuel Antonio. But just think about the floor drains...
Unfortunately, it comes one and a half kilometre before our daily object to a small bottleneck, because a coach holds on the right, a truck on the left stands, and the vehicles coming in the opposite direction try to wind the way anyhow. When the driver before me drives to the right side, I follow him and RUMMMS!
At the next moment Annette jumps out of the car and calls only "Sh **, Sh **, Sh **".
Well, there the right front wheel hangs in the air. Thanks four-wheel drive and turned steering-wheel I get though back on the streets. When we later arrived at the hotel, nevertheless water drips from the engine compartment. We get to know later the fact that it is only a little condensation of the air-conditioner and actually nothing has happened at all. But well, back to the vacation.
Cute – this is the best description for the hotel Mare Nostrum. With only six apartments, the owner disclaims to number these apartments. Instead of that he brings us to one of the lower apartments and explains while walking? that we will get a nicer apartment the next morning, after the horror in Quepos and a friendly recipient. Well, our first apartment is quite cosy constructed, just a bit gloomy, because the glass door and the narrow side window let pass a little light??? We didn’t feel bothered, the upper apartments are much brighter and appear friendlier.
The Mare Nostrum is built according to an old mansion and – as the climate is very humid - appears older than it actually is. The roof overgrown with moss and and little plants, looks a little bit charming. What at the same time seems very fitting, because the surroundings of the hotel are above all: green. That’s why you can look directly in the rain forest from the pool, while the whirlpool is clouded by palm leaves (and because of that it is very cold).
Ultimately the breakfast is a surprise. The view of the forest and two big papayas from a balcony is quite beautiful. The fruit plate, however, is gigantic. Two bananas, pineapples, several slices watermelons and papaya and first of all: mango aplenty! In addition we get tea or coffee, jam, toast and scrambled eggs. Delicious!
