September 15th is Costa Rica's Independence Day celebrating their independence in 1874 from Spain. We were very fortunate to be able to share in a local equestrian Folkloric Show at the Hacienda Pinilla's stables. The participants were dressed in their elegant traditional attire and presented 'equestrian folk dances.' The horsemen were incredible and acutally performed choreograhic routines including polka on horseback. There was a small, local band playing tradional music and girls dressed in the beautiful old costumes performing folk dances. Leigh Ann had gotten each of us small Costa Rica flags which we patriotically waved.
Hacienda Pinilla is a 4500 acre hacienda located in the Guanacaste region of northwest Costa Rica. Set amidst rolling volcanic hills lush with greenery, it meanders down to the beach where we walked as the sun was setting. The history of this "beach resort and residential community" is interesting. Pat Patilla, owner of a successful US engineering firm, visited the region about 30 years ago and fell in love with it. He acquired the hacienda as payment for an engineering project and built several simple homes for him and his family to enjoy. Seeing the potential for the area with its incredible natural beauty, he worked out an arrangement to guarantee Delta airlines a 'load factor'(I think that's the term for a certain number of passengers) if they would open an Atlanta/Liberia route. His confidence was bolstered by the fact that he knew the Four Seasons was going to open a beach resort in the region. They have now built numerous 2-bedroom villas (this is what we are staying in) as well as a hotel, stables and the soon-to-be JW Marriott which we toured yesterday.
Today we are off for the beach and plan to see several hotels along the way. Gotta run as the bus is leaving. Beautiful day so will be able to enjoy a sunny day on the beach.
Linda
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