Lair Davis (Our Man in Costa Rica)

Remember Lair Davis? He was the founding editor of several queer newspapers including the San Diego Gayzette (1982), Gay Times (1988) and Gay/Lesbian Nation (1990). Lair moved on to other community challenges in San Diego before moving to Santa Cruz. In June 2004, the award-winning “Lair About Town” columnist retired to the tropics of Costa Rica. HillQuest is tickled and proud to return Lair to San Diego every week to share his views and ideas. Feel free to email him.

March 25, 2005

The Adventures of an 80-Year-Old Tarzan

It is easy strolling the path through the butterfly garden at Monteverde in Costa Rica. No one is rushed. All are quiet and observant, except for the ooh-ing and ah-ing at the winged beauties that flit about.

One man in our group, however, was having a very difficult time of it. About halfway through the tour, he asked for a place to sit down. He continued to sit there for 15 minutes or so and then slowly made his way back to the front gate and his waiting vehicle.

The afternoon before this glorious morning, the man and his wife had joined a group of tourists on one of those legendary canopy tours, where you are strapped into harnesses and launched from platforms, screaming your way through the tops of the trees at breakneck speed.

The man had realized he was in trouble when he reached the launching platform. The well-trained, enthusiastic and warmly welcoming guides and assistants assured him, however, that he would enjoy the adventure in the treetops. And so they strapped him in, and away he went.

Now — the next morning — he could barely walk.

The man was in his mid-80s! What were they thinking to encourage him to participate in such an excursion? Did they not recognize his advanced age? His wife said she hadn’t realized it would be so difficult. She had managed to complete the adventure okay, but swore that she would never do it again.

There are plenty of active adventures that are appropriate for older visitors to Costa Rica. Swinging through the canopy like Tarzan is not one of them unless you are unusually fit for your age.

How do you tell which of the many activities in Costa Rica available to tourists are likely to be enjoyable for you? How much walking is required to reach a particular facility? Is it at the top of a steep incline? Will the trail be muddy or tough to walk upon? What about the availability of restrooms?

Older folks need not feel limited in what they may be able to enjoy in Costa Rica. Any individual with special needs of any kind can enjoy this beautiful land. Just don’t hesitate to ask questions first. Get advice from those who have been there and done that, preferably someone near your own age and physical condition.

And when someone suggest you let them strap you in a harness and swing you through the canopy at Monteverde, tell them that you would much prefer a gentle ride through the canopy in one of those tram cars down the road at Aerial Adventures.

Lair Davis — Banana Boy

Did you know that Lair is
a Costa Rica travel consultant?

Email him to learn about services he can provide that will help make your vacation in Costa Rica special.

Lair particularly enjoys assisting...

older travelers
independent travelers
solo travelers
women travelers

gay and lesbian travelers

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Interested in your own trip to Costa Rica? Get off the “tourist trail” while $aving time/money with your own travel consultant. Lair would love to help you plan your holiday of a lifetime. He’ll even be your guide in his tropical paradise! Email him to discuss your trip.