day 9: delfin no more

delfin amor is set in the beautiful bahia drake, over on the other side of the osa peninsula. you’d think we might be fortunate to stay there as they are soon closing their lodge in a few months and converting it to a marine research center, dedicating themselves to their shale and dolphin tours, research, and non-profit activities.

the reality is that it seems like they’ve already given up. the cabinas are a little run down, the pillows and bedding have distinct signs of mildew, the towels are worn and holey, and everything is in a little bit of disrepair. and let’s not even talk about the not-as-advertised “hot” showers.

as we might have expected from a facility called “the divine dolphin” everything is decorated with a dolphin motif: the bedding, the bathroom accessories, the shower curtains, the mirrors, the tissue holders, and of course there are new agey dolphin murals everywhere. granted, it is a great place to see dolphins, as we saw a group of them escroting us out to ano island when we went snorkling yesterday. however the permeating sugary frosting of dolphin love may have led up to skip the recommended dolphin/whale watching tour and instead opt for lazing about on a deserted dolphin-free beach.

despite the actual state of the cabins, delfin amor does have two things going for it: 1. the food is excellent, outstanding, really. 2. maybe more than anywhere else we’ve stayed, you really get the feeling that you’re remote and in the middle of the rainforest. off the deck are huge trees and ferns with birds coming and going and the fragrant smell of flowers as the hummingbirds stop by.

what’s really funny is how common the sight of lapas (scarlet macaws) is around here on the osa: now they’re hardly worth mentioning despite how bright and fantastic they look. even here one of them follows the housekeeper around all day, sitting on her shoulder as she goes around to clean the cabinas.

Posted at January 14, 2007 6:43 PM