|
Wind SongLuxury Sailing on the Costa Rica CoastBy Walter GlaserA HIGH-TECH SAILING SHIP OFFERS THE ULTIMATE LUXURY CRUISE ALONG THE COAST OF COSTA RICA.
We had been looking for a special cruise-holiday that combined luxury, romance, story-book adventure with an ecological and wildlife aspect to it, so a cruise along the coast of Costa Rica on this superb vessel promised to be the ultimate experience. It was, and it took us to the kind of natural wildlife habitat that many people only read about. Costa Rica is like no other nation in Latin America. It is a relatively undeveloped, and completely fascinating country, and perhaps a little explanation is in order at this point. Before gaining independence from Spain, it had been a sleepy back-water of the Spanish Empire in Central America, its lack of gold and other resources making it relatively unimportant to the Spaniards. Consequently even the Spanish Inquisition passed over this sparsely-populated country with a minimum of upheaval. After gaining independence, Costa Rica had become the original Banana Republic, its main crops being bananas and coffee, both still major exports for this country. Today it has an enviable record of democracy, a situation created after the Army (like many of its counterparts in Latin America during the '40s to '60s) tried to take over the government in 1948. The coup failed and the government realized that the greatest danger was from within, rather than from neighboring invaders. So the nation's leaders did something that those of no other country before or since have dared to do. They passed a decree dismissing all the armed forces, and decided to spend the money saved, on health, education, and the restoration of the ecology. The results have been remarkable. Costa Rica now has one of the highest literacy rates in the world, completely unmatched by any other less-developed country. It's health services are also quite exemplary, and one can drink the tap-water throughout the nation without taking one's life into one's hands. A major program to restore much of the forest and wildlife of the country is also in place, and it is probably easier to see the fabulous flora and fauna of Central America here than in any of the neighboring areas. The population is still relatively small and much of the employment is based on agriculture and tourism. But with the outstanding educational and university system that the Costa Ricans have put in place, the country is making substantial strides forward economically. Intel, the world's leading computer chip company, has just completed building its largest international plant in the capital of San Jose. By 1999, this one computer-chip plant will have an output worth more than the total coffee and banana crops put together. We had heard great things about Costa Rica, and when we saw that the Wind Song was cruising along its coast, we decided to combine a one-week cruise on this spectacular vessel with a week exploring this country. Here is one of the most stunning-looking ships in the world -- a sleek, white four-master of perfect, elegant proportions that takes modern hi-tech cruise-sailing to its ultimate form. This superb vessel, and its look-alike sister ships Wind Spirit and Wind Star, offer cruises that will take you in style, to fascinating small ports in the Caribbean, the Mediterranean, the coast of Central America, and other interesting destinations. We had opted for Costa Rica because it was such an interesting and unusual country, and one we had not previously visited. And we would not to be disappointed! On most days of our cruise, the Wind Song tied up at one of the small ports along the Costa Rican, and in one case Panamanian coast. As the ship berthed in the mornings we had the opportunity to disembark and take advantage of fascinating shore excursions. Late afternoon the ship would head out to sea, to arrive at our next port after breakfast the following morning. Then it would be time to go swimming, explore the coastline by boat, or head into the canopy of the rainforest jungle on a different kind of excursion. Every port we visited provided new experiences and adventures. Without a doubt, the most unforgettable of these was the tree top canopy tour adventure in the Rincon de la Vieja National Park, a very different way indeed to explore the jungle! As we came ashore from the ship that morning, a bus was waiting for those of us who had chosen this excursion from the several options available. It was a very warm day along the coast when we started the ride into the inland and up into the tropical rainforest to undertake this unique adventure. Before going we were warned that no one who was physically unwell, or who was afraid or uncomfortable when it came to heights should take this tour. Climbing to a platform 80 feet above the floor of the tropical rainforest and wearing the sort of harness used by climbers who scale vertical rock faces, we used pulleys attached to our harness to clip onto fine woven wire cables that zigzagged through the rain forest canopy high above the jungle floor. It was a fabulous experience. But there were many other serendipitous shore excursions --- launch trips through the mangrove swamps of Isla Damas to see monkeys, crocodiles and snakes in their natural habitat, the San Francisco estuary by kayak to get right in amongst the coastal wildlife --- to name just two. Alternatively, there were launch trips, jungle walks and nature hikes. On Cano Island humming birds, giant frogs-and the rare Olive Ridley turtles live in a protected environment and we were enthralled with the variety and color of the hummingbirds we saw. The days fell into a pattern. Once the Wind Song had anchored, passengers split into several groups. The diving and water-sports enthusiasts set off in an inflatable Zodiac (an unsinkable rubber motorboat with powerful outboard) to go diving and water-skiing. Two-man sailboats were available for a tranquil day on the waters of the secluded bays where we anchored. Passengers who liked to explore on their own could go ashore by tender to explore the stunningly beautiful landscape around this spectacular and ecologically fascinating area. But while the shore excursions were just great, it was the Wind Song itself that made the cruise so particularly enjoyable. Usually the shore excursions returned late in the afternoon, and by the time we showered and changed, dusk would be falling as we made our way to the lounge. The ship's small orchestra would be playing dance music of the 60's and the cocktail hour passed very quickly and pleasantly. Served in the dining-room, dinner is an elegant, silver-service affair with one leisurely sitting starting at 7.30pm. In line with sailing-ship tradition, dress is stylish, but not formal. There are no table assignments. You may prefer to sit with new-found friends, changing tables and dinner-partners as you wish. Alternatively, there is one large oval table seating about twenty, where singles and couples can meet fellow passengers easily and informally. There is a wide choice of beautifully prepared dishes combining New American Cuisine with that of France and Europe. An excellent wine list is also available. Most evenings it was 10pm before we returned to the lounge for another hour of music, drinks and dancing. Then to the cabin for a good night's sleep. By the time we awoke next morning, Wind Song would be approaching our next destination. The Windstar Cruise Line ships are arguably the most splendid, gracious and photogenic sailing-cruise-ships afloat today. With a length of 440 feet, 4 masts each 204 feet above sea level, and a sail area of 22,000 square feet, they are also large enough for ultimate comfort. 148 passengers in 74 outside suites are totally pampered by a crew of 88 from 15 countries. These vessels are so technologically advanced that they have featured in the Science Yearbook of the World Encyclopedia and on the world-renowned TV series "Beyond 2000". Today's discerning clientele often prefer an elegant, relatively small ship with only one class of accommodation and service --- the very best. Surveys have also shown that many people were attracted to the romance of sailing, yet were not always enamored with the idea of 'roughing it' on a normal yacht. One answer was to create a luxurious, space-age style of sailing vessel that could explore ports inaccessible to larger ships, and yet be sufficiently advanced technologically and big enough to be as comfortable, stable and well-equipped as the best of the seagoing giants. An American/Scandinavian group, later to form Windstar Cruises, realized that this market demanded something better -- an unregimented style, luxury and degree of personal service which, because of the logistics involved, simply could not be provided by larger ships. The Wartsila shipyard in Finland was the one organization in the world which could design such an advanced vessel. When this task was completed the blue-prints were sold to a French shipyard at Le Havre, which then built three identically sized, Wartsila-powered vessels --- the 'Wind Star', 'Wind Song' and 'Wind Spirit' --- for this group. The Wind Song's Captain, with a personality that makes him a favorite with the passengers, loves the Wind Song concept. "It's the luxury and romance of the sails that draws people to the ship" he says. "We do have three small auxiliary engines of about 1800 H.P., but at least 50% of the time we run on sail. "We have a very shallow draught and no keel, and this allows us access to harbors and moorings unavailable to ships of conventional design. Passengers wonder why, even in bigger swells, we have so little roll. This is because we have stabilizers with a remarkable computer operating a combined system of high pressure pumps and stabilizer tanks. Technology on this ship is remarkable. Our computers read the conditions ---wind source, current wave size and direction, and several other inputs, then calculate the roll of the ship and what is required to minimize this. They then program the very-high-pressure pumps to speed ballast water into the appropriate tanks at the opposing rhythm to the waves. This negates the ship's roll so well that we rarely heel more than three degrees." But Wind Song is a lot more than hi-tech. Pampering the passengers is also the name of the game here. The charming stewardess who showed us to our cabin was available at the press of a button to attend our every whim --- from round-the-clock room service sandwiches or coffee on request to setting our TV for Videotext news or cassette movies The 185 square foot suites, all with portholes, are ultra-luxurious with huge comfortable queen-size beds. Our science-fiction designed bathroom with a surprisingly large shower, was equipped with a hairdryer, huge fluffy towels, an extensive range of toiletries and a super-efficient (if somewhat noisy) marine toilet which accentuated that 'yacht' feeling. Wardrobe space was especially generous. Apart from the regular amenities, we found an individual safe in each cabin, a mini-bar, multi-channel radio, video recorder, color TV, and telephones with world-wide direct dialing via satellite. When not ashore we enjoyed the many facilities Wind Song offers. We swam in the small but adequate pool, had a flutter at the casino, looked at reference books in the library, gyrated at the disco, and relaxed in the sauna and spa knowing that an excellent hair-stylist was available. The boutique was an opportunity to buy our souvenir T-shirts. Fortunately we did not need to consult the ship's doctor ! Wind Song aims to provide the best of everything and that includes cuisine. There is a 24-hour room service in the unlikely event that passengers feel peckish between meals. Those in charge of the dining rooms make sure that guests are pleased with the service and that meals are presented in an atmosphere of informal elegance. It was Napoleon who said that an army marches on its stomach, and the same surely applies to cruise ships. Surveys have shown that cuisine comes just behind attractive destinations and even ahead of cabin comfort in passengers' evaluation of a cruise. The Wind Song's Executive Chef, German-born and trained Frank Ulbricht, worked in some of Switzerland and Germany's top hotels and was Chef on the Holland-America Line ships for many years before joining this vessel. He has visited some of Europe's top Chefs as observer, so that he could then adapt the best of their light cuisine to shipboard requirements. His principle is that food must contain the freshest ingredients, be perfectly prepared, and although presented in elegant style, be plentiful. Your day on the Wind Song could start with an early 'Coffee and Danish' on the deck, or a 'Continental' in the cabin. At 7.30am breakfast is served in the Verandah Restaurant or on the deck dining area with a sumptuous buffet supplemented by an a-la-carte menu. Lunch is an informal affair, served 'al-fresco' on the top deck if the weather permits. We enjoyed an incredible variety of salads and hot dishes like stuffed chicken breasts or shrimp kebabs or the All American hamburger. There was a different pasta dish each day and to top it off, a selection of all-too-tempting deserts. Wind Song has many surprises. Her sleek, white hull and four masts are reminiscent of the picture-postcard luxury sailing ships of years gone by. And then you notice the detail. Things like the sports-platform stern, the 21st Century design of the Y-shaped funnels and the orange-topped tenders --- motorized life-boats that are also used for ferrying passengers ashore from moorings where the Wind Song cannot come alongside to dock. Windstar cruises are not for everyone. In the tradition of sailing ships there is no elevator. If you are in poor health or physically restricted, you may not be able to manage the two or three flights of stairs comfortably. Daily activities are programmed for those who will also enjoy the landfall excursions, and perhaps snorkeling and the other water sports offered. Passengers go home starry-eyed. "All my life I've wanted to visit Costa Rica and do it in style", said a high-powered Florida lawyer the day our Costa Rican cruise finished. "Sure, we have our own yacht back home, but I just don't have the time to sail it to Central America. The minute we heard about the Wind Song, we knew we just had to take this cruise. It's been everything we'd hoped for --- and more!" I do not have a yacht at home, but I know exactly how he feels. And the high proportion of repeat guests on Windstar cruise ships obviously concur. RESOURCES:There are four luxurious computerized sailing ships in the WindStar Group, operating in the Mediterranean, Caribbean and Pacific. For cruise details and bookings, contact:
Windstar
Cruises |
|
TM
Summer
in Costa Rica is hot.