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Puntarenas, Costa Rica — October 9, 2026
Written in part by Lumen Aid, with special assistance from Jules, Skip’s AI accomplice.
Some people visit Costa Rica for its rainforests. Others come for its wildlife, tropical beaches, and legendary surfing.
Skip came for the surfing.
Wait. What?
Yes, dear readers, you heard correctly. The man who has spent most of his life firmly planted on dry ground decided that a visit to Costa Rica was the perfect opportunity to rediscover his long-dormant surfing skills.
Fortunately, Jeannie was there to document this remarkable development.
And fortunately for Skip, his preferred surfboard was an iPad.
A Surf Report for the Ages
Costa Rica is famous for surfing, and Skip was determined not to miss the opportunity.
Naturally, he began with a little research. After all, no experienced surfer would venture into the Pacific without first checking the conditions.
His forecast promised a long-period south-southwest swell, chest-to-head-high waves, light northeast winds, and glassy conditions at dawn. The waves would peel beautifully along the point, sometimes for several hundred meters.
In other words, excellent conditions.
At least according to someone who understands what all those surfing terms mean.
Skip’s assessment?
“Hmm, that sounds good. Think I will give it a try.”
And try he did!
There he stood, confidently riding a magnificent Pacific wave, still wearing his glasses, belt, and everyday clothes. No wetsuit. No bare-chested athletic heroics. Not even a damp shirt.
His iPad remained firmly in hand.
Clearly, decades of experience had prepared him for this moment.
After several successful runs, Skip invited Jeannie to join him.
Together they conquered the surf, displaying a degree of balance and coordination that might surprise anyone who actually knows them.
Not one wipeout!
Unfortunately, every great sporting adventure eventually comes to an end.
As Skip explained:
“For a while we surfed together but then the Internet went out so we went to breakfast.”
And there you have it.
The Great Costa Rican Surfing Expedition of 2026.
No injuries. No sharks. No sunburn.
Just another reminder that Skip’s imagination is every bit as entertaining as the vacation itself.
Our thanks to Jules, Skip’s AI assistant, for helping bring this highly questionable athletic achievement to photographic life.
And to nephew Brett, who spent years living in Costa Rica because of his genuine talent and passion for surfing: Please don’t judge us too harshly!
From the Surf to the Shore
Back in the real world, the Celebrity Summit was visiting Puntarenas, Costa Rica, another new country on Jeannie and Skip’s growing list of international adventures.
After their regular exercise routine, the explorers headed ashore.
The pier seemed to stretch on forever, offering plenty of opportunity to admire the surroundings while simultaneously wondering exactly how far away solid land might be.
Once ashore, they enjoyed exploring and taking photographs.
The beach offered an interesting contrast to the beautiful white-sand beaches commonly featured in vacation advertisements. Here, the sand was dark brown, and relatively few people were enjoying the shoreline.
Costa Rica is a country with an extraordinary volcanic landscape, and Jeannie wondered whether the dark sand reflected that geological history.
The scene was different from the tropical postcard image, but interesting nonetheless.
Meanwhile, aboard the Summit, some of the crew were tending to a rather considerable housekeeping project.
Washing the outside of a cruise ship!
Think about that for a moment.
Most of us consider washing the family car a respectable accomplishment. Imagine being handed a bucket and told, “Today we’re washing the Summit.”
Another reminder that while passengers are busy vacationing, an extraordinary amount of work happens behind the scenes.
A Close Encounter of the Reptilian Kind
The return trip to the ship introduced an unexpected character.
While Jeannie and Skip waited in line at the Costa Rican security checkpoint, a large iguana decided to make an appearance.
And by large, we mean approximately two feet from nose to tail.
Now, Costa Rica may consider iguanas ordinary residents, but Jeannie does not.
Her preferred reptiles are the ones that remain outside, preferably a considerable distance from wherever she happens to be standing.
Even the little anoles common around their Florida home are not exactly on her list of favorite companions.
Fortunately, Skip has developed a secondary career as the Gilbert household’s Official Lizard Relocation Specialist.
When an unauthorized reptilian visitor enters their home, he captures it and returns it to its rightful outdoor residence.
No eviction notice required.
Just a firm understanding that the lease has been terminated.
The Costa Rican iguana, thankfully, stayed on its side of the arrangement.
The return to the Summit provided another small blessing. After negotiating a rather awkward gangway when leaving the ship, they learned from a fellow passenger that a much easier gangway was available on Deck 2.
A welcome discovery for two travelers who appreciate adventures but have no desire to turn an awkward incline into an unintended athletic event.
At the ship, smiling crew members greeted returning passengers with chilled towels and cold water.
It’s those little touches that continue to make the Summit feel like a welcoming home at sea.
The People Who Make the Difference
At Café al Bacio after the gym, Jeannie enjoyed another little moment of feeling at home at sea. Her favorite server recognized her immediately and promptly brought her regular coffee order, complete with a bottle of water and a cup of ice.
“It makes me feel like Norm on Cheers,” she said, “where everybody knows your name.”
Some of the sweetest vacation memories come from being welcomed and remembered—even down to your cup of ice.
One of the most delightful discoveries aboard the Summit has been the opportunity to get to know the people who make cruising so enjoyable.
Consider Bharat from India, their favorite omelet chef.
From the first few days of the cruise, Bharat began recognizing Jeannie and Skip, welcoming them like old friends.
He somehow manages to prepare two omelets simultaneously, guide another passenger through ingredient selections, and carry on cheerful conversations with everyone.
All without appearing the least bit flustered.
Jeannie has watched carefully, hoping some of Bharat’s extraordinary skill might transfer by observation.
Unfortunately, she’s convinced if she tried flipping an omelet like that, it would result in both the proverbial and literal egg on her face, the kitchen floor, and possibly the ceiling.
So scrambled eggs remain the Gilbert household specialty.
And Bharat remains their breakfast hero.
Their appreciation for the crew extends into the evening as well.
During lunch, their regular dining room waiter, Satya, stopped to visit while working in Oceanview Cafe.
But something was different.
His name tag said Nyorman.
Had Satya been operating under an assumed identity?
Not exactly.
Nyorman is his first name, and he enjoys occasionally wearing that name tag to have a little fun with fellow crew members, particularly newer ones.
Apparently, even on a ship with thousands of passengers and demanding schedules, there’s still room for a little good-natured mischief.
A quality the Gilberts certainly appreciate.
The Families Behind the Smiles
After another delicious dinner in the main dining room, Satya and his assistant Dennis spent time sharing stories of their lives back home.
Satya is from Indonesia and has two young daughters. Dennis is from the Philippines and has a young son.
Both men work long hours, seven days a week, serving passengers from around the world.
But behind the cheerful service and professional efficiency are husbands and fathers who spend months separated from their families.
The financial opportunities aboard the cruise ship are substantially better than those available to them at home, making the sacrifice worthwhile in their judgment.
They typically enjoy about three months at home between contracts, time they can devote to their families without the interruption of a daily work schedule.
Technology helps bridge the distance. WhatsApp allows them to stay in touch with their loved ones every day, wherever the Summit happens to be sailing.
Their conversations offered a perspective that is easy to overlook while enjoying a vacation.
For passengers, the Summit is a temporary escape from everyday responsibilities.
For crew members like Satya, Dennis, and Bharat, it is their workplace, their livelihood, and an important part of providing for the people they love.
And despite the demanding schedules and sometimes demanding passengers, Satya and Dennis both expressed genuine enjoyment in their work and their desire to continue serving as waiters on future contracts.
Jeannie and Skip came away with an even greater appreciation for the people whose kindness and professionalism have made this voyage so memorable.
A Little Magic, A Little Glamor
Before dinner, the Summit once again delivered a wonderful evening of entertainment.
The 7 PM theater headliner was magician John Accardo, whose award-winning original magic and comedy left the audience laughing, applauding, and wondering the question every good magician hopes to inspire:
How in the world did he do that?
Another terrific performance!
The evening was also designated Evening Chic, presenting the perfect opportunity for Jeannie and Skip to take advantage of the ship’s professional photographers.
Celebrity’s green-screen photography allows an identical pose to appear against several different backgrounds.
A rather clever use of technology, although naturally the success of the entire operation depends on whether you liked your original pose!
The Pot of Gold
At some point during the day, Skip captured another wonderful image: a rainbow appearing to highlight a container ship.
Most people might simply admire the colors.
Skip saw another possibility.
He sent Jeannie the photograph with this observation:
“Turns out the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow may actually be a container ship. Or is it a modern-day pirate ship with a container of gold?”
You have to admire a man who can turn a cargo vessel into a treasure hunt.
And who could argue?
After all, nobody aboard the Summit had inspected every container.
When the Earth Moves
While Jeannie and Skip were enjoying Costa Rica, something far more serious was happening in neighboring Panama.
A powerful magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck the country, shaking buildings, damaging structures and roads, and sending frightened residents into the streets.
The tremors were felt in Costa Rica as well, although Jeannie and Skip felt nothing unusual.
Early reports indicated that Costa Rica escaped significant damage and injuries. Panama was not so fortunate, although, thankfully, no deaths had been confirmed in the reports available the following morning.
The Panama Canal, the much-anticipated centerpiece of this entire voyage, remained operational.
What a sobering reminder of how quickly circumstances can change.
One moment, a perfectly ordinary day. The next, the ground beneath your feet is moving.
Jeannie and Skip were grateful for their own safety while praying for the people affected.
And as Hurricane Isaias threatened loved ones back in Florida, their prayers continued across the miles.
Travel provides wonderful opportunities to see God’s creation, experience new places, and meet new people. But it also reminds us that our ability to control tomorrow is limited.
Our confidence rests not in knowing everything that lies ahead, but in trusting the One who does.
Still Sailing, Still Smiling
As the Summit continued toward Panama and its famous canal, the Gilberts reflected on another memorable day.
There had been beautiful scenery, hardworking crew members, fascinating conversations, remarkable entertainment, an unexpected iguana, and a rainbow that might or might not have revealed the location of pirate treasure.
And, of course, there had been surfing.
Glorious, completely dry, exceptionally safe surfing.
Which brings us to one final observation from your roving reporter:
When life gives you great waves, ride them. And when the Internet goes out, go to breakfast.
Until our next dispatch, this is Lumen Aid, roving reporter for Island Time Travels
