family is life. life is family.: Costa Rica 2011

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Costa Rica 2011

All I can say is that this trip was well enjoyed, well worth it and long past due. It was heaven. The 24 hours it took to get there(long story, missed flight, etc) were worth it. It was a monsoon when we arrived, but a prayer for sunshine in my heart was answered and it was beautiful the entire trip. I want to go back and live for a year, teach my kids spanish, do some mountain biking and races, and enjoy a simple life. It just kept getting better and better. The food was amazing, the sunsets spectacular, the people friendly and respectful. I definitely need to get out more.
I appreciate the Ridds for tending, even though I'm pretty sure they don't ever want to do it again.

9 hour layover in Seattle and it was fun to get out and see the city. I really enjoyed it there, it would be a great place to live. Very outdoorsy, yet the Nordstom headquarters are there, REI, etc etc

View from our B&B room in CR.

Mangroves

Howler Monkeys

Room at The Lost Iguana, rainforest area

Hike through the swamp, a guy pulled us off the beach and asked if we wanted to go through the jungle to see monkeys and alligators. yea, sure why not?

I found this little guy greeting us on the newel outside our room. Wanted to bring him home.

Fun little hike from our room to the restaurant

So much beautiful vegetation

Fun pool

Arenal Volcano, did a zipline ride near this, just breathtaking

Hike in the jungle

Swim break

meeting Wes's friend from his mission, she was really great to hang out with

It's like Hawaii before the commercial package

Wes loves these old defender landrovers, they are much more expensive there, this was $33,000

Before we started I asked if she wanted to get any snacks for the hike and she said no. I later found out why when she knocked down guavas to eat and picked fresh sugarcane. It was delicious.