I was getting ready to leave Guayabo Lodge near the small town of Santa Cruz - about a 30 minute drive from the city of Turrialba - to Orosi Valley, my next destination in Costa Rica. When I discussed the driving route with Rosanna the co-proprietor of the Lodge, she suggested that instead of going through the city of Turrialba - the conventional route - that I take the more scenic route through Pacayas and Ujarras. From Pacayas, she said, “There is a winding road that takes you down into the valley. Make sure that you make a left at the sign Bocadito del Cielo – that is the turnoff”.

As the signage can be somewhat tricky in COSTA RICA, I asked Rosanna what landmark should I look for to indicate that the turnoff is close by. She said “About 20-25 minutes away from our lodge you’ll see a small, pale blue colored old house with yellow cream trim perched on top of the hill on the left hand side of the road; the house has a lovely flower garden. People in the area call it “The Dollhouse”. You can’t miss it. If you have a chance, you should stop and take some pictures”.

I proceeded to leave Guayabo Lodge, bidding farewell to Don Pedro and his wife Rosanna taking the scenic route to Orosi Valley as she suggested. Keeping a lookout for the dollhouse, I glanced at my watch seeing that 20 minutes had passed by since my journey had started. I must be getting near I said to myself. Another 7 minutes passed by and still no dollhouse in sight. Needless to say, I was getting a bit nervous figuring I had taken the wrong road or gone astray. About 5 minutes later (over 30 minutes had expired since my journey started), I saw the house that Rosanna had described on the left side of the road about ½ mile further up the road. Seeing the dollhouse up ahead, I was overcome with joy as it meant that I hadn’t got lost. With a big sigh of relief, I proclaimed Hallelujah!

As Rosanna had suggested, I stopped at the house to take some pictures. Perched on a hill overlooking the valley below, the dollhouse with its unique candy cane lily garden was just as beautiful as she described it. Now I have the pleasure of sharing some pictures with you. PURA VIDA!