John met this sweet little critter while I was sleeping one evening. Lucky for him (the scorpion). Because if I had met him, you would all be looking at a picture of a severely squished, unrecognizably dead little creature.
And why does this thing have what looks like a cluster of beady eyes on its tiny little head??? ICK! I bet he’s pretty crunchy though, you know like the grasshoppers people eat.
If you ever find yourself with free time in San Jose, Costa Rica – be sure to make time for quick weekend getaway to Manuel Antonio. While Jaco is known for it’s tourism, nightlife and great ocean waves for surfing, Manuel Antonio is known for it’s beauty and tranqulity.
Manuel Antonio seems to be frequented and favored more by the locals as well. The sands and the waters are smoother and calmer. The water somehow feels warmer too. And as you drive into the area you are blown away by the wildlife and rain forests close by.
The 7th Wonder of the Modern World
Way back in December 2009 we went to Panama City, Panama. And of course while we were there we had to go and see the Panama Canal. So that means 6 out 7 Modern Wonders down, 1 more to go.
In all honestly though, I think that the Ancient Wonders and Medieval Wonders are more…well…wonderful when it comes to the Wonders of the World. But that’s just me.
A Flying Bug Scourge
I try to tell myself to stop being a big pussy and I’m still waiting for the day to come where I’m not completely obsessed in fear at the sheer amount of insects in Costa Rica.
I’m not sure if the rainy season breeds massive infestations of insects or what. But one recent evening, John and I were cooking in the kitchen when all of a sudden something flew at us over the stove. So we killed it.
We continue to cook and another bug flew at us. So we kill it again. And then another…and another…and so on. An unrelenting assault of these flying buggers.
We had to attempt to seal the area off because they kept sneaking in. I don’t know how many there were exactly – because we lost count after what felt like a thousand!
We ran and hid in our bedroom for the rest of the night. Totally freaked out. We weren’t sure how they were all going to get out of the house – but we found out the next morning that they didn’t. They all died.
Luckily they didn’t bite or anything. It was just such a freak show. John and I keep telling ourselves that this is just one of those things you look back on, 10, maybe 20 years down the road from now and laugh at. Yeah, right…
We Are JAPADOG Hogs!
(The Oroshi and the TeriMayo both with Wasabi Mayo on top)
The little vendor/big lineups of Japadog started it’s humble beginnings as a street vendor stand on the corner of Nelson and Burrard in downtown Vancouver. And now many happy hotdogs sold and eaten later, the awesome vendor has graduated into a busy shopfront along with a slew of other tasty eateries on a strip along Homer and Robson.
(This food strip on Robson is amazing!)
We love them and run there to eat all the time. The line ups are worth the wait and they even have fries now at the storefront. We tried the butter shoyu fries and they were mouthwatering delicious. I can’t even write anymore without wanting to get on plane ride home to get a hotdog-fry combo right now!
(At first John goes like this…)
(And then John goes like that!)
We easily give Japadog 5 huge Patty and John Big Bellies! 
Vietnames Pork Chop On Rice – The Regular and The Special
So we’re back to Pho Thai Son again where they have the best Vietnamese Pork Chops on Rice, well alright not exactly “again” – these two plates were ordered and eaten during our pho visit as well! In any case, there are two options displayed here, the Regular and the Special.
I’m not sure what number they are on the menu, but you can’t miss it or you can just ask them directly for it and they’ll know. It’s one of their most popular dishes for a reason – because it’s GOOOOD! I’d describe it to you some more, but then I’d get so homesick I’d have to fly home right away to get me shop chops…RIGHT NOW!
Shrimp Salad Roll Haiku
I EAT Salad Rolls
Tasty Shrimp Salad Rolls YUM
Salad Rolls MINE!
MO MO PHO!
(The #13 at Pho Thai Son)
I’ve made it more than clear how much I miss wonderful, warm and tasty bowls of Vietnamese Beef Pho. The perfect cure for hangovers, the perfect comfort food, and the absolute in overall deliciousness, I honestly can’t think of anything else to say except to just GO GET SOME!!!
This bowl here was mine – you’ve got to get your own! After 8 months of NO-PHO in Costa Rica, I had to use all self-restraint to not order 10 bowls of goodness all in one shot.
In Vancouver, John and I have have 2 places we love to go specifically for pho. Pho Hoang around Main and 16th and Pho Thai Son on Broadway. The thing that really makes these guys the best in the biz is the beef broth. It’s really all about the beef broth and both places do it the best.
If you love Vietnamese rice dishes, roll dips and salad rolls then you’ll have to check back later for specific restaurant recommendations because with so many Vietnamese restaurants in Vancouver, each place has their own little flair on each of these specialties.
Dim Sum is Soooooo Yum Yum!
We landed back home in Vancouver on a Saturday evening, which made it perfect timing to sleep then wake up nice and early for a delightful Sunday Dim Sum lunch bonanza!
