January 22, 2016

Costa Rica - Day 4

Yesterday we had an amazing day, we left the house at 8am did not return until close to 5pm.  We were picked up by a driver (same one that brought us from the airport) and drove about 45 minutes to a Monkey Mangrove tour.  We boarded a boat and were taken down a canal through the Mangrove trees to see the White-faced Monkeys.  They were awesome!  They jump right in the boat with you, climb all over you and want bananas!  We all had a great time.  Next we were off to the Manuel Antonio National Park with a quick stop for lunch.  We stopped at a great picnic area for a quick lunch and off to the park.  As most of you who know me know that I love taking pictures.  Unfortunately I missed my favorite all time pic as we were driving...the roads are very narrow and people pull over all the time so you are passing other vehicles and basically playing chicken with oncoming traffic.  As we crested the hill in our van we came to an abrupt stop as there was another tour van stopped in front of us, the driver was walking around their van so we decided to go around them not knowing what was what.  As we drove past them (again playing chicken with oncoming traffic) we looked back to see the problem...a large 3 toed-slough was crossing the road.  It was the most amazing sight as they move sooooo slow, I am pretty sure that image will never leave my head. 

 At the National Park we were met by our guide, Felix.  He was very knowledgeable and had a spotting scope for us to see more of the animals.  We saw Howler Monkey, several more sloths, lizards, raccoons, birds, etc.  We did about a 3 mile round trip which was hot and sweaty.  Everyone did great and we had a fantastic trip.  After we left Felix we were met by our driver, Kenneth and stopped for Pizza and beer!  

I have never seen the kids changed in record time and were in the pool about 5 minutes after we got out of the van.  We were told that there was a Swell coming on Wed and to not spend anytime in the ocean as the current was to be very strong.  The kids were fine with the pool and it was great to cool off after a long hot day.  

Quinn celebrated her birthday with an amazing day!


Very Hot red peppers

Cocoa Plants



Fresh Coconut Milk






Extremely poisonous snake
These are called Jesus Christ Lizards because they walk on water!
Tiger Heron
Beautiful picnic spot

Multi-colored cactus
Sleeping sloth
Baby JC Lizard
Whippoorwill
Howler Monkey
Bats
Banana Spider





Much needed lunch after our hike
Giggly girl

 

January 20, 2016

Costa Rica - Day 3

We spent a great day at the beach and pool.  For lunch we decided to walk to a local Italian restaurant for lunch.  It was warm but not a bad walk.  We ran into a few locals on the road, cows!  This is the second time we have seen livestock taking themselves for a walk.  We had a great lunch and headed back to the pool.  Last night we headed into town and went to a fantastic restaurant for Fish Tacos.  It was a fun night with everyone.  Today we are off to see the monkeys...more to come.

She was happier than she looks
Beautiful Sunset from our beach
Swings at the Taco Bar
No Tacos for this one...cheese Quesadilla

January 19, 2016

Costa Rica - Day 2

Yesterday most of our group went Zip-lining.  Quinn and I were not too excited about it and stayed back to swim and play at the beach.  They had a great time but were hot and sweaty when they returned.  They had to hike about 30 minutes to get to the first canopy...the guide was very impressed with our groups ability to keep up, they reminded him that we live in the mountains.  After they finished they hung out at the cafe at the last zip-line with the owner of the company and it turns out he is from Evergreen, very small world.  Quinn and I enjoyed the quiet.  We spent the afternoon on the beach and in the pool.  We went out for dinner to a fun restaurant right on the beach to finish off another great day!

The group
Ava & Addison
Addison & Ava - they got to go together most of the time
Addison upside down
Last One
It is a long one!
These guys are everywhere...

January 18, 2016

Costa Rica - Day 1

We arrived in Costa Rica on Sunday afternoon after a very long day of travel.  We had a great driver who gave us a lot of history from the drive from San Jose to Jaco.  We stopped about an hour into the trip at the Crocodile Bridge.  There was a small fruit stand where we picked up smoothies, plantain chips and a cold adult beverage!  The river below the bridge contains about 3,000 crocodiles, they were huge.  I did not get any pictures as I did not go on the bridge, it was pretty high.  After that stop we took at quick break in Jaco to grab essentials and then onto the house.  We all need to hit the water after a long day of travel and it was off to the beach!  The water is very warm but it gets dark extremely early so we were back to the house for dinner and bed.  Our first full day here was spent at the beach, pool, house, beach and pool again.  Another quick trip to the grocery store and dinner.  A great time had by all on the first day!
We walked into the house to see this guy...luckily he is stuffed but he gave us a start!
First day in the ocean
...and the pool
Most of the kiddos
View from the beach
The sand is almost black and you can see your reflections in the wet sand
Swimming in the waves
She is so content to do her own thing
Afternoon boogie boarding
A group of pelicans flying over Jon
Finding live Sand Dollars...kept the boys busy for quite a while
Girls boogie boarding
Quinn wanted a little help from Dad
Dad & Daughter boarding
Off they go again...
Hurt her foot, little pep talk from dad
Most of the family.  The sun was setting and it was only about 4pm, dark by 6pm!
View from the pool to the beach
We found this guy in a vacant lot about 50 feet from the house...
Banana or Plantain tree (not sure which)