Day 1, Arrival San Jose, Costa Rica

It was a long day with not much happening. The five of us, Mom, TJ, Vienne, Tommy and I left the house at 2am for the Detroit airport. Theres a picture of our parking ramp area so I don't forget whereMeer informatie
Day 2

Animal rescue, zooave
We are about 10 degrees North of Equator in tropic of cancer. Costa Rica is smaller than Lake Michigan.
Today is 98 degrees, just past summer solstice so sun is directly aboveMeer informatie
Day2 cont

Animal rescue, zooave
A sloth! But not very close. And yes, that spider is real, not an exhibit *shivers*
We are about 10 degrees North of Equator in tropic of cancer. Costa Rica is smaller than LakeMeer informatie
Day 2, Doka Coffee Plantation

Doka coffee tour.
Seedlings sprout after 2 months. They are called "little soldiers" because they have a bean on top that looks like a helmet. After 1 year they are planted and after 4 years you canMeer informatie
Day 2 cont, coffee plantation

The coffee fruit is removed and used for compost. There are 1 to 3 beans in each fruit. If there is only 1 bean in a pod it is called a peaberry. For the peaberry, all the genetic flavor profilesMeer informatie
Day 2, Zarcero

We stopped in a small town in the mountains called Zarcero. The town is named after the Sassparilla root that is grown and exported for root beer.
There is a beautiful church here and famousMeer informatie
Day 3, River Cruise

Stopping in Los Chiles near border of Nicaragua for a boat trip on the Rio Frio. We can cross over the border without papers, but can't go far.
Saw a beautiful kingfisher bird, lots of snakeMeer informatie
Day 4, River Cruise cont

Further up the river here is Nicaragua. Tommy got a text from Verizon welcoming him to another country. Had to log it here also, just to make it official!! We didn't travel as far as this map says,Meer informatie
Day 3, Arenal Hot Springs

In Fortuna, under the view of the Arenal volcano, we visited the Baldi hotel and spa. Different level pools run down the mountain. The hottest water comes from the top "waterfall" and cools as itMeer informatie
Day 4, Hanging Bridges

We visited the Mistico hanging bridges park and spent 2 hours hiking through the rainforest and crossing high over the forest floor. The first bridge was scary, but after that I was mostly worried IMeer informatie
Day 4, Hanging Bridges cont

We saw a sloth, parrots, and a poisonous eyelash viper!! They are small, but deadly!
Day 4, Turtle Park

We visited a center that is working to protect the leatherback turtles. The Caravan tour operation donates a portion of our costs to support these research and conservation efforts.
The 2 researchersMeer informatie
Day 5, JW Marriott, Guanacaste

Today was all about relaxing! We have had amazing buffet meals, swimming in a beautiful pool, a massage (so needed that!), and scouring tide pools for critters.
Infinity pool, driftwood, sunrise,Meer informatie
Day 6, morning

Say goodbye to Marriott Resort. I won't miss those giant grasshoppers. They were 8 inches long and flew all over the place, Ewww!!
Day 6, ice cream and crocodiles

Stopped for ice cream at Monteverde Cooperative (first pic) founded by American Quakers. Left behind one of the teens from our bus. We didn't even go back to get him!!
Don't worry, another bus withMeer informatie
Day 6/7, San Bada hotel

There was a rooftop bar that we relaxed at while watching the most amazing sunset! We were told we might get some good sightings of birds in the morning so we went back early. Instead of birds we hadMeer informatie
Day 7, Manuel Antonio National Park

An early morning hike through the rainforest to 2 of the most beautiful beaches complete with more Capuchins!
Day 7, Manuel Antonio - Beach 2

The other side of the peninsula had calmer waves, but my poor mom still got rolled in the sand by them! She wasn't even knee deep, but she couldn't get back up!
Also, a pic of the hotel "lifeguard".Meer informatie
Day 7, Aerial Tram

I'm not exectly sure where the tram was located, but it was a relaxing ride in a ski-lift type gondola through the forest canopy. Our guide was not very happy with the two adult children (husbands)Meer informatie
Day 8, goodbye

Just a little shout-out to all the friends and families we met on this trip. You were all terrific! Thanks to Clarence, our guide, and Lolly, the best driver I have ever seen! The 28th was hisMeer informatie
Sloth sightings

In honor of my running group..
Team Sloth
We'll get there when we get there!
Linda KohlWhat a wonderful idea on how to find your car days later. Hope the weather is great. Say hi to your mom; I miss her. Now, if only you'd post more pictures :(
Linda KohlDecided to re-post this after I read your LV response:
Linda KohlOH, I get it. You're going to do what I did. I don't blame you waiting til the trip is over to post. I needed 3 weeks after the trip to get my act together. And, besides, who wants to take time away from the vacay to write up notes instead of enjoying yourself.
ReizigerLove the pic from the plane! Miss you!