Crystal Sands Swimming Pool

This is a view from an upper floor of the Crystal Sands condo looking down to the swimming pool.  This pool is unusual because it is on the opposite side of the building than the beach.  That is probably a benefit for the condos on lower floors that would not want the noise and people from the pool close to their units.  But having the pool next to the ocean is very pleasant for people using the pool.

News/Comment about the U.N.  This week most of the news from the U.N. General Assembly has focused on Syria and Iran, but President Laura Chinchilla of Costa Rica also gave an important speech.  She emphasized the need for there to be enforcement of the World Court's rulings.

Costa Rica several years ago filed a case against Nicaragua in the World Court about a border dispute over some uninhabited islands in a river.  The World Court ordered that both countries leave the islands alone and not do anything while it considered the case.

Nicaragua has violated the World Court Order for years by occupying the territory with its army and dredging the river, which is environmentally damaging.  Costa Rica abolished its army more than 60 years ago, placing reliance on institutions such as the U.N and World Court.  If we are to avoid military solutions, we need to find effective alternatives.  

This week we are showing photos of an old cemetery and ruins of an old Friary on the Hill of Slane, Ireland, on our Viva la Voyage travel photo site.