Rental Car Vs Traveling By Bus In Costa Rica

One of the most often asked questions from travelers about Costa Rica besides "How much does it rain in the rainy season?" is: "Do we really need a rental car?". The answer depends very much on you, but by describing a bit more the conditions I can make the decision easier for you!

Driving in Costa Rica is not as difficult as it seems in some frightening reports. Nevertheless it is true that the Costa Ricans that are known for a laid-back and calm attitude seem to get into a hurry as soon as they sit behind the wheel of a vehicle. They are not alone on the planet with this particularity, the only difference is that in many other places the people seem to be always in a hurry.

The roads in Costa Rica are famous for their potholes and some destinations can only be reached on a gravel road. If you plan only to visit San Jose and Jaco you may be fine with a sedan, but it is highly recommendable to rent a 4x4. In the rainy season you will even have to cross some rivers. Even some of the main attractions for tourists in Costa Rica are only accessible with an all-terrain vehicle. The road to Monteverde is not paved and there are no plans for doing so. The local community wants to protect this unique place and does not want that to make their place accessible for huge tourist buses.

The big advantage of renting a car in Costa Rica is, that you are independent and can make a stop whenever you want. Fruits and crafts are sold along the roads, this is always a good opportunity to have some small talk with the locals.

You better get up early in Costa Rica, because the sun goes down around 6 pm. Driving at night in Costa Rica can be dangerous and is not recommendable. Most of the roads don't have lights and road marking mostly exists on the main roads.

The alternative to renting a car is to travel with the extensive bus system. This is a good way to see the country and meet the Ticos. There are buses going almost everywhere in Costa Rica, connections between outlying areas are limited. The capital San Jose is the major transportation hub of Costa Rica, sometimes it is necessary to return and switch the bus here. Before you buy a ticket for the bus ask precisely if this bus really goes to the destination where you plan to go. There are several towns in Costa Rica which share the same name! You can assure going to the right Playa Hermosa by mentioning the Province where you plan to travel. There is a Playa Hermosa in Guanacaste and a Playa Hermosa in Puntarenas. There are several other examples like Naranjo and San Isidro.

Traveling by bus is certainly cheaper than renting a car, but is most often slower. There are several hundred bus companies operating in Costa Rica and unfortunately they don't always work together. This can result in an unplanned overnight stay at a place where you missed your connecting bus.

So the decision is still up to you, but it should be easier for you take it now

Serchenginenews Article Source: http://EzineArticlescom/?expert=Morten_Sonntag

Find More : Rental Bus , Travel Bus , Service Bus , bus rental services , travel buses , charter bus service , tourist buses , bus companies

How to Make Homemade Gingerbread Man Cookies

Several years ago when our daughter was about 13 years old, we started a holiday tradition together. About 2 weeks before Christmas, we would spend an afternoon together baking gingerbread flavored holiday goodies.

When it comes to holiday baking, it just wouldn't be complete without making some cute gingerbread man cookies. The follow recipe is pretty easy, although its not quick since you will be hand making your dough, rolling it out and then cutting out your cookie shapes.

Gingerbread Man Cookies Recipe

2 1/2 sticks butter, softened
2/3 cup molasses
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 egg
2 1/2 cups all purpose-flour
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
4 cups confectioner's sugar (powdered sugar)
4 tablespoons milk

In a large bowl, combine 3/4 cup softened butter, molasses, brown sugar and egg together using an electric mixer on medium speed. Beat until the mixture is creamy and smooth. Add in the flour, spices, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, salt, baking soda and then the baking powder. Beat mixture at low speed with an electric mixture until all ingredients are well combined. Place mixture in a large zipper close plastic bag and place into the refrigerator for 4 hours.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line two baking sheets with a silicone nonstick baking mat or lightly grease them. Split cookie dough into three equal sections. Roll out the dough on a lightly floured dough board until it measures approximately 1/4" thick. Use a purchased gingerbread man cookie cutter and cut out your shapes. Place shapes onto your baking sheets and bake in the oven for 6-8 minutes or until done. Remove from oven and cool on a wire rack.

Frosting Recipe

In a medium-sized mixing bowl, combine the confectioner's sugar, milk, remaining 1/2 cup of butter and 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract. Use an electric mixer and beat until mixture is creamy and fluffy. If desired, you can tint the frosting with food color. Decorate your completely cooled gingerbread man cookies with frosting and set aside to dry.

Store your cookies in an airtight cookie canister. These cookies will keep for 2-3 weeks if properly stored.

Shelly Hill has been working from home in Direct Sales since 1989 and is a Manager with Tupperware. Every December, Shelly enjoys spending a few days doing holiday baking with her daughter and her mother. It is a family tradition that all 3 women enjoy doing together. You can visit Shelly online at http://www.workathomebusinessoptions.com or her recipe blog at http://wahmshelly.blogspot.com Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Shelly_Hill

Find More : make cake , make chocolate cake , make cookies , recipe cookies , butter cookies ,
recipes cookies , bake cookies , almond cookies , chocolate cookie , cookies malaysia , Make Cake , Cakes Cookies

Plain Wedding Bands - Beautiful and Simply Classic!

Crafted of 14k or 18k white or yellow gold, plain wedding rings are crafted artfully and can include precious gems and stones of all kinds. Of course depending on the taste of the betrothed bride and groom, you can create whatever plain wedding bands you desire. There are so many beautiful designs in the varied classic looks that are called plain wedding rings. And as you glance through rings for her you will notice that the same design is created for the men's wedding bands as well.

Wedding bands are more than jewelry rings to wear. They are the embodiment of the relationship, bond and commitment between two people as they enter into marriage. This day deserves the best so investigate every type of wedding band that is available so you'll be proud to wear the ring that is a symbol of "I do."

Plain wedding rings that dome shaped are very simple but timeless. They have been a favorite of many bride and grooms for decades. Available in platinum, white gold or yellow gold, the design is rounded from one side of the ring to the other. This one is definitely a wedding ring that is truly classic elegance.

A unique take on the classic plain wedding rings is the flat wedding band. Like the others, it is one of the wedding bands classified as plain, but instead of the rounded design from side to side this wedding ring has a flat surface but with a rounded band.

Another ring that is in the plain wedding rings category and is just simply stunning is the milgrain wedding band. Many jewelry rings besides wedding bands, use this grooved edge for the detailing on the side of the ring. This group of wedding rings took the simplicity of the dome band and the flat wedding band and grooved the edges of the ring. This is also a favorite of those looking for men's wedding bands.

There is another design that is part of this very popular group of wedding bands. The beveled edge in a ring means that the edge is not perpendicular but designed to be cut at a 45 degree angle. Again, this is perfect for men's wedding bands as well as women's. This beveled edge is also very popular as regular jewelry rings as well.

Gaining in popularity among plain wedding bands is the knife edge ring. This is similar to the dome, but instead of the ring rounding from one side to the other, the ring slants from the edges to the center creating a dramatic knife type affect which is really beautiful when made into a ring.

Last, but definitely not least, is the Park Avenue wedding band. This is basically a flat band with recessed, milgrain edges. It got its name because no matter what metal is used to create this ring, it looks very high end and designer. If you'd like something that is still classic but with a unique twist, this wedding ring would be perfect for you. Whatever you decide for your wedding bands, remember that they have great meaning and should be loved and cherished by both the bride and the groom.

Robert Lowe - Jewelry Information Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Robert_Walter_Lowe

Find More : band songs , wedding bands , Band Wedding , Band Live , Music Wedding , band group , band singer , band performance