“Ferry port” luxury tent was fine, enough sleep and we boarded on time. Sunrise on our morning cruise became a little overcast but no threat of rain. Puntarenas mid-week was much more sleepy and relaxed, but a massive cruise ship was sending multiple coachloads of mainly retired holidaymakers for a various daytrips. Sellers of random junk with police guards hanging around them like shadows. Sometimes it pays off to look scabby as we were not hassled. We got our tickets for our trip into the central valley and international airport of San Jose (very pleasant experience - lots of genuinely helpful people). Then we had half an hour to kill waiting for the bus at the seafront park. Connected to the internet chatting to our parents via Skype - last possibility before Cuban black hole. The bus trip was comfortable and after two hours of eating and not exercising we arrived at the airport. One broken spoke and Teresa’s bag, then clothing, covered in grease. Very friendly (English speaking) airport policeman helped with easy directions to get to Alejuela using the right road avoiding traffic madness. One hour looking for a repair shop, being sent by different people on a wild goose chase we finally found one with the great help of an Alajuela policeman. Bike had spoke fixed but also new screw holes tapped for the bike stand. It took us almost an hour and I started getting edgy about the time! Soda meal at the Alajuela market and flying beer in the same bar as we were seven weeks earlier on our first day in Costa Rica. On the way back to the airport we stopped to buy some “Imperial” t-shirts and few minutes later I was folding the bikes for the airport handling purposes. Due to the repairs, we ran out of time to drop into Denny’s to say farewell to Gustavo and Eduard.
Checked in we tried frantically to find an internet connection to book ourselves on some means of transport from the UK to France for or return 9 days later. (there would be a very slim chance of finding internet in Cuba). After surfing for a while, we got back to the lounge to realise that we were the last remaining passengers for boarding and without a Cuban entry visa! We had to pay on the spot. Long story short we have made it! Phew… Three hours later we were told by Taca officials that security in San Jose had withheld the bikes!!! Yes , biking holidays in Cuba without bikes! My passport got confiscated by customs and I was questioned as to why I was in Cuba? I did not know myself - especially without the bicycle! We were given some telephone numbers and the usual procedure to follow. 10 pm, the airport bar and a headache what to plan for the next day?
Checked in we tried frantically to find an internet connection to book ourselves on some means of transport from the UK to France for or return 9 days later. (there would be a very slim chance of finding internet in Cuba). After surfing for a while, we got back to the lounge to realise that we were the last remaining passengers for boarding and without a Cuban entry visa! We had to pay on the spot. Long story short we have made it! Phew… Three hours later we were told by Taca officials that security in San Jose had withheld the bikes!!! Yes , biking holidays in Cuba without bikes! My passport got confiscated by customs and I was questioned as to why I was in Cuba? I did not know myself - especially without the bicycle! We were given some telephone numbers and the usual procedure to follow. 10 pm, the airport bar and a headache what to plan for the next day?