Archive for July 19th, 2010
Monday, July 19th, 2010
The brother of a Leeds University graduate who went missing in Costa Rica has made an emotional appeal to find him.
David Dixon has produced “Help Find Michael Dixon” T-shirts to mark his brother’s first birthday since disappearing last October.
David has also posted videos on You Tube and set up an internet blog to raise awareness of the search for Michael Dixon, 34, today.
Michael was on holiday in Costa Rica when he was last seen on October 18 last year, leaving his hotel in the Guanacaste area.
So far there are no leads in the search for the missing journalist, described by David as “quite reserved” but “very friendly”.
David said: “We know he would not go missing on his own accord. That is not something he would do. I think it is something criminal.”
He added: “We hope to raise awareness about Michael’s case and the many people who go missing abroad without a trace.
“There are many families like ours that never go through the pain of knowing what happened to their brother, sister, son or daughter.”
Michael graduated from Leeds with a media degree in 2000 and later moved to Brussels, where he worked as a journalist.
His family only learned of his disappearance from the Villas Macondo in Tamarindo when he failed to turn up for work on October 21.
David flew out to Costa Rica days later to help local police, the British Embassy and the Red Cross with their investigations.
Despite having no clues so far, the family hopes the T-shirts will reach a wider audience and help jog people’s memories.
David said: “Anyone could have seen or talked to my brother on the day, or days leading up to his disappearance.
“He might have said something to someone about where he was going or what he was doing that may be the clue we need to find him.”
People are being asked to buy the T-shirts and support the search by sending a picture of them wearing to info@helpfindmichaeldixon.com.
The money raised from selling the shirts will go towards hiring personal investigators and professional search teams.
Costa Rican Police were involved in the search for some time but it is not known if they are continuing with their investigations.
The British Embassy in Costa Rica is being urged to help with communications between the Costa Rican and British police.
For more information or to help with the search, visit: www.helpfindmichaeldixon.com
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Monday, July 19th, 2010
Villa Perezoso offering private whitewater and adventure tours on the Savegre River near Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica by Rafiki Safari Tours. Perfect for families and groups or even couples. Ride the Class 2 or 3 rapids, enjoy a waterfall, sip cocktails by the jungle lodge. A must experience; private pick up and drop off service from Villa Perezoso.
Villa Perezoso, a privately owned luxury vacation villa nestled amidst the unparalleled natural beauty of Manuel Antonio Park along Costa Rica’s Pacific coast, is promoting to its guests Rafiki Safari’s premier white water adventure trips on the Savegre River.
“We followed the Villa’s onsite concierge’s advice on activities and really enjoyed each experience. Our favorite was the river rafting on the Savegre River with Rafiki Tours. If you go, plan on enjoying cocktails at their lodge and watching the sunset from their deck. Way, way cool!” wrote one of Villa Perezoso’s recent guests. Rafiki Safari is providing Villa Perezoso’s guests with private river rafting adventures along with personalized pick up and drop off service at the Villa.
Villa Perezoso, designed as a luxury vacation rental set amidst the tropical rainforest and beaches of Manuel Antonio, provides its guests with the backdrop, design, service and amenities of a luxury 5 star resort. Villa Perezoso’s onsite manager, chef and staff pay particular attention to detail, providing the kind of exquisite service usually reserved for private five-star hotels.
Villa Perezoso, named for the property’s original resident – a sloth who oversees things from his guarumo tree home, is now accepting bookings for Winter 2011. Guests can choose to rent THE Penthouse (2 bedroom, 2 bath), THE Villa (3 bedroom, 4 bath) or, for larger groups, the entire estate. With a total of five bedrooms, two kitchens and 6,000 square feet of genteel living space, Villa Perezoso is perfect for families, special occasion gatherings, weddings and as a romantic couples retreat. More information can be found at http://www.villaperezoso.com, info at www.villaperezoso.com
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Monday, July 19th, 2010
No family vacation in Costa Rica would be complete without an eco adventure tour to see something truly spectacular. Nowadays, it seems that not only humans have fallen in love with the tropical paradise of Costa Rica’s South Pacific, but magnificent whales and dolphins too!
Dolphins and whales have made Costa Rica’s southern coast one of their favorite playgrounds. With five species of dolphins and three species of whales inhabiting the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Playa Dominical, it’s time to get your camera ready! Of all the Costa Rica tours to choose from, this dolphin and whale watching adventure tour is one that you will never forget! It truly is one of the best Costa Rica attractions to experience.
You will have an excellent opportunity to see humpback whales propel themselves out of the Pacific Ocean, back-flipping into the waves. Whale watching is a really captivating experience and at a cheap rate this really is one of the best Costa Rica adventure tours available. The three-hour adventure tour will give you spectacular views of Drake Bay, Caño Island, and the beautiful Costa Rican beaches of Playa Dominical and Playa Bahia Ballena.
The dolphin and whale watching tour will take you out into protected marine territory where whales, dolphins, sea turtles and tropical fish are in abundance. This particular part of the southern Pacific belongs to the Costa Rica National Park of Marina Ballena in the Osa Peninsula. As an additional Marina Ballena, Playa Dominical, Costa Ricabonus, try to spot the sandbar at Playa Punta Uvita at low tide; years of natural erosion have fittingly created a beautiful formation of whale’s tail.
Experienced Costa Rican tour guides will provide interesting facts about whales and dolphins and get you clued-up on the importance of protecting Costa Rica’s marine wildlife. Whales migrate to these waters from November to March and then from July to December to give birth to their young, while some whales remain in the Costa Rica South Pacific throughout the year. However, these temperate waters of the Pacific Ocean are a permanent home for dolphins. If you are especially interested in getting up close and personal, a separate adventure tour is available where you can swim with the dolphins that inhabit Drake Bay, off of the Pacific coast of the Osa Peninsula.
If you are looking to make your Costa Rica family vacation a memorable one everyone in your group, then this dolphin and whale watching adventure tour comes highly recommended. There are a whole range of Costa Rica tours available, but if you only take one, make it this. For more information, contact 1-800-771-2976
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Monday, July 19th, 2010
The mid-year school break has been a violent period this year with 40 “violent” deaths recorded in the first two weeks of July, according to a report by the Cruz Roja Costarricense (Costa Rican Red Cross).
Leading the number of deaths is traffic accidents (14), that included two pedestrians being run over by a vehicle, five trapped in their vehicles, three fatal collisions and four vehicles turning over.
Followed are the 12 people lost their lives victims of violence involving an “arma blanca” (knife or blade) or “arma de fuego” (firearm).
Third place are four deaths involving water accidents; two fell from a cliff, and two people died of intoxication.
Although the number is still high, it is 11 deaths lower than for the same period in 2009. In 2008, 46 violent deaths were recorded.
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