Costa Rica - Day 7

We're heading home today.  We got up at 4am to get the rest of our things together and grab our 5am taxi.  When we went to the front desk to turn in our room key, there was a hotel shuttle waiting.  The driver asked us if we needed a ride to the airport and we said yes.  He had 2 other guys he was taking and offered to drive us.  I told the guy at the front desk and asked him to cancel our taxi.  Didn't make sense to have to take 2 vehicles to the same place when there was clearly plenty of room.  The hotel guy got mad at the driver and basically told him not to do it again.  This didn't make much sense for many reasons.  The main reason was that the day before when we ordered the taxi, we were told that the shuttles don't run until after 6am.  Another reason was the hotel guy told me that the shuttle had been ordered.  So why did they order it for those two guys and not us too?
Anyway, we made it to the airport and just as we're walking away, the guy stops Greg and says the hotel doesn't pay for the transport.  So, Greg hands him a $20 and asks for change and the guy gives him $2 back.  Sheesh.  Taking a taxi would have been cheaper for sure!  We walk into the airport and have to pay our $26 tax to leave the country.  You have to do this before you can even get your plane tickets.  We wait in a relatively long line to get to the Delta counter.  Lucky us, we're picked for a random security check for our luggage.  Lucky again, they pick the worst bag to go through because it had all the rest of our food and was the most unorganized of all 3.  Apparently it met standards because they let us go through.  Then we stand in another security line where we have to go through the metal detectors.  We make our way to our gate and wait.  The Delta check in desk closes an hour before boarding and we weren't sure why until we saw all the same people show up to do boarding and perform another security check.  We had to have all our carry on bags checked, then went outside to be patted down, then got on a bus to get to our plane on the runway.  (It's a very small airport)  Finally we were up in the air heading to Atlanta.  We made it on time.  We then had to go through International check-in, pick up our bags and take them about 100 feet to drop them off again, go through customs and all that jazz, then we made it to our gate.
Off in the air again heading to Dayton and it was the bumpiest ride I've been on in a long while.  They had to stop drink and snack service because we were practically flying out of our seats.  They resumed service 20 minutes before we landed.  Finally we were home.  I'm glad to be home, but miss being on vacation and being in Costa Rica.  It was an awesome trip.

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Costa Rica - Day 6

Sad day. It was our last day at the most gorgeous place on earth. No more chirpy geckos, no more howling howler monkeys, no more ocean view, no more sloth eating his mid-morning snack in a tree near the spectacular pool. We head back to San Jose today. Greg, Addison and I will be heading home early tomorrow morning.
After our last meal from Stefan (banana pancakes and fruit), we had our last ride with Juan. Juan was our driver, mangrove tour guide, and waiter at one point. He was amazing. He passed us on to another driver who took us some wacky way back to San Jose but got us there in plenty of time for mom & dad's tour of the city. Little did they know the tour of the city that the rest of us would get later.
After we arrived at Country Inn & Suites, Greg arranged through the concierge for a driver. Rather than a taxi, the Hotel contracts with a company that will drive you wherever you want to go for free. Can't beat free, right? Well. Maybe you can. The deal is two stops for free then you have to start paying. We loaded up in the van and headed for our destination. Or so we thought. Pablo, our driver who claimed he didn't speak very good English took us on a mini tour around the city. He showed us their Central Park and some other highlights of the city. He told us what to watch out for and seemed generally helpful. Then the fun began. We drive though some back streets and end up on some very shady looking, not heavily trafficked streets. He points out his parents house and says he lives right next door. Ok. This is getting weird. He said he knew of a place that he was taking us to - he's sure we'd be interested and not to tell ANYone because he could lose his job. This place, he says, has no signs an looks like a house from the front but inside is worth it. "Oh, God. This is where we make headlines" I thought. Sure enough, we pull in front if a double-gated white house and we get out of the car. A too-beautiful girl greets us at the gate and we walk into the house. If I wasn't nervous before, I'm certainly nervous now. We walk into a gallery of jewelry and. knock-off paintings. Two girls in this tiny house waiting to pounce at the slightest bit of interest. He explains to us how gold is made, then we have to watch a video. My skin is crawling and I want nothing more than to leave right now. I even considered just walking out the front door to wait outside, but I couldn't trust what was out there any more. They offer us free drinks - which thankfully no one took him up on and any slight interest in anything they were practically dressing us with it. I disappeared to the patio out back with AJ, Addison and Molly until everyone was ready to go. Then I made a beeline straight for the van.
Our next and final destination was the city. On the way Pablo takes us down a street where some guys were just walking up to cars begging for money. He says they are druggies and not to get mixed up with them. As soon as the sun goes down, they apparently get volatile and start using weapons. Ah, nice. Can't wait to get of this street. He drives us down a few streets instructing us to stay on this street and not go down this other street because of robbers and such. He apparently told Molly and Laura that they could leave their cameras and jewelry in the van if they liked but he had other people to pick up. Huh? Plus he had already pointed out the taxis to us indicating that we'd need them to get back. The whole thing was bizarre. Nobody ended up leaving their things, we took a very short walk through the city and found pretty much nothing but shoe stores everywhere. Greg and I got a taxi back to the hotel and thought Laura, Jim, Molly and AJ would be right behind us, but apparently they didn't get a taxi as easily as we did. Eventually we met up again and went to the cheesy souvenir shop we were looking for - only we walked there...and back. We got everything we needed, ate, showered, and packed. We're ready for our early morning flight and I pray for no troubles.
It's been a crazy day. We're almost glad to be going home mostly because we can't wait to get out of San Jose. Yucky! We're certainly not in Kansas anymore.
It's been a wonderful experience that I can't imagine ever doing this on our own. It was great to spend time with family and I had a blast. An experience of a lifetime that I'll never forget. Thanks to Brian & Kathleen for planning everything and making us feel like royalty and thanks to mom & dad for making it all happen.


-- Post From My iPhone

Costa Rica - Day 5

Today we awoke to the sounds of howler monkeys practically right outside our room. They are quite loud and ominous sounding. 5 am is when they get up in case you were wondering. They really should institute daylight savings time here. The sun comes up around 5 and sets around 6, so while you try to adjust to the time difference, you really can't because the sun is telling you otherwise. The geckos in our room making their silly kissy sounds are the sounds you hear before bed and when you awaken. This sounds like it would be a comforting noise - being kissed at, but if they are loud enough to hear then they are somewhere close. Like in your room, and I didn't find that very comforting.
Anyway our morning started with delicious French toast and fresh fruit...to be revisited later. We were leaving mid-morning for a boat tour near Manuel Antonio park. There was a lovely lady waiting for us when we arrived. She offered everyone motion-sickness pills (maybe that's why I call her lovely) and on a precautionary move accepted her offer. I thought "oh, I shouldn't need it, but just in case...cause it would suck to be sick on a boat". Our hosts greeted us cheerfully and immediately offered us drinks. Ah, another good idea. Perhaps if I load up on alcoholic beverages, I certainly won't get sick. I start off with a Piña Colada. I didn't get much further than that. I declined the next round and wondered if I was actually feeling queezy or if my mind was trying to psych me into thinking I might be sick. I'd soon find out because as everyone went to one side of the boat to watch mating turtles, I ran to the other side and rid my stomach of the yummy breakfast I had. Oh joy. To top it off, I think the driver was laughing at me. I don't speak a lick of Spanish, but even I could tell he was chuckling and telling the other guys. Mr. Drink-maker immediately came over and offered some Ginger ale and the other guy instructed me that if I laid down I wouldn't feel so bad. After I did, he gently rubbed a cold washcloth over my forehead. Such a simple gesture and yet it was such a comfort. Poor little Addison said her belly hurt too, though I couldn't really tell if she was having sympathy symptoms. She laid next to me with her head on my arm and she fell asleep while I dosed in and out of consciousness. We missed a lot of the boat tour, but honestly I didn't care by that point. We woke up when they anchored the boat for swimming and snorkeling. Everyone got in the salty water. Surprisingly bouyant! I mean it takes very little effort to stay afloat.
I felt better, but certainly not well enough for the fish and shrimp they prepared. I could hardly handle the smell.
After everyone finished eating, the boat guys wanted to try to sail. I've never been so glad for no wind. Since the sail couldn't catch any wind we boated back to the dock.
Thank God for dry land. We came back to the house and I tried to nap off the effects of the Dramamine, but woke up fuzzy and still with my sea legs, so everything STILL is in motion. I'm afraid I'll have boat rocking nightmares tonight.
It's our last night in the house. We head for San Jose in the morning.





















-- Post From My iPhone

Costa Rica - Day 4

We decided to stay at the house instead of going ziplining today. As much as I think I might have liked ziplining, we've learned over the years that (especially with a little kid) we need some down time with no expectations and total relaxation. It was quite rainy so we started with scrambled eggs and fresh fruit that I made. I thought I nearly ruined the pan because: a) French chef, I am not... And b) I don't think I've ever used a gas stove let alone one that is clearly designed for a professional, which clearly I am not. We saved the pan however and the eggs were good anyway. After breakfast, we went to the cinema room and watched a movie - or most of one. Very cool and Addison loved being able to go right up to the wall where the movie was being projected and followed the lines of animation with her fingers and touched Ariel and danced with her shadows. We continued our morning pretending the house was ours by just wandering room to room and chilling wherever we wanted. The cleaning people were there so we tried to stay out of their way as much as possible.
I did take a video tour of the entire house which is quite challenging when you're trying to avoid the staff. I actually didn't get the main level done until everyone arrived back at the house. Then the skies cleared and everyone was in the pool at once. For lunch, Stefan made a delicious salad with chicken, corn, black beans, cilantro, an assorted other brightly colored and finely chopped vegetables. I really need to start incorporated black beans into more of my foods. At dinner he prepared the fish that the deep-sea fishermen (Molly, Jim, Brian and dad) caught. I believe it was mahi-mahi.
Although we didn't have the fun ziplining stories that everyone else had, we had our own private bliss in a house way never get to experience again. For a few hours, we owned that house and no one else will have that experience.


-- Post From My iPhone

Costa Rica - Day 3

Day 3, we woke up early to get ready for our trips. Dad, Brian, Molly and Jim were going on a deep sea fishing excursion. Mom, Laura, Kathleen, AJ, and the three of us were going on a boat trip through a mangrove forest. It was quite leasurely and we saw a snake right off the bat. A little while later we saw white faced monkeys that came right up to the boat looking for food. One even got on the roof of the boat and looked each one of us in the eyes to see if we might have a scrap of food to give him. They are quite cute and expressive (until they bare sharp teeth). We saw some birds and the smallest anteater species sleeping in a tree. Finally we came back to our starting spot and I got some pictures of a lizard before we left.
Next we ate lunch at a little roadside stop that had awesome smoothie kind of drinks. Addison got a banana one which she devoured.
After that we came back to Casa Fantastica. Kathleen drove Greg and I into town with her so we could check into a couple souvenir shops. While on the way back we saw a sloth hanging off of a telephone wire. It was very cool to watch him slowly scratch his head and look around at a pace so incredibly slow. We then came back, enjoyed the pool and had a lovely dinner and went to bed at a relatively normal hour. Although, Greg did jump at a certain point thinking something had joined us in bed. I made him turn the light on to check and instructed him never to do that again.

-- Post From My iPhone

Costa Rica - Day 2

We had a delicious breakfast of French Toast casserole, fresh fruit and local chicken sausage then our driver came to take us to Manuel Antonio which was about a 4 hour drive. We stopped at a place called Crocodile Bridge on the way. This is kind of a touristy place which was a long narrow bridge with very narrow walkways on both sides and very fast moving cars and busses. You look over the edge and can see crocodiles hanging out in the murky water or sunning themselves along the river's edge. Kinda creepy with all the crocodiles, I think we saw about 7 or 8 of them. Plus it's a little harrowing to try to cross the bridge against traffic adding to the element of danger. We all piled back in the van and were off again to Manuel Antonio.
Next stop was a restaurant called El Avion. Right off the bat we see a spider monkey following along with us up the stairs. Soon, more show up and I think I counted about 6 of them. All looking for a morsel or two. One thing I notice here is that nearly everything (especially eateries) are open space. I haven't eaten anywhere yet that has windows.
El Avion is a restaurant designed with an old C130 that was shot down during the Reagan administration. Something like that anyway. So they've converted it into a restaurant and bar. The meal was pretty inexpensive too and I was a little thrown when the waiter gave me my change back in colones. I got something like 3,500 colones back. I used it for our driver's tip.
Finally we were on our way to the most beautiful place I've ever seen and might ever see. Our new home for the week was Casa Fantastica. It is absolutely amazing. It's like somewhere you'd see celebrities stay. 7 amazingly huge bedrooms each with it's own beautiful bath, a theatre, recreation room, exercise room, huge kitchen (with chef), bar/lounge area, and a gorgeous infinity pool with solar hot tub all overlooking the ocean! Heaven. We ate dinner, swam, and rested.















-- Post From My iPhone