Costa Rica-Day 4

Tuesday October 13, 2009:

This was our first day in the National Park :) We went on a "guided" tour of the park. Our guide taught us all about the plants and animals and insects in the Park, and had a telescopic lens so we could see things up close. It was really cool! We saw...Monkeys, Sloths [2 and 3 toed], Bats, a Twig Bird [it blended into the branch perfectly!], a colorful bird related to the Tucan, Iguanas, we heard Howler Monkeys [but never saw them]...and I can't think what else, but it was amazing!
This is one of the first monkeys we saw--I was so excited :) Then we saw a Sloth.
I was in aw of this one.They're so "old" and move so slow, but we were able to see it move its head to eat.
This is a picture using the telescopic lens, so you can see its head better.
We stopped for a break had some pineapple. We were supposed to continue on with our guide [and maybe eat termites-which my cousin did on one of her trips and I wanted to try...but...] Shawn had heard about this "Hidden Beach" and asked our guide all about it, and decided then and there that we were going to try and get to it [it is only accessible during Low Tide]. So we left our guide and our group and that is where the real adventure started! Up until this point we had been walking on a big wide dirt road through the park and other groups were everywhere. Well we had to take this little trail into the...foliage. It felt much more real and remote, and both Shawn and I liked it better.
We even crossed this ricket-y wooden bridge over a ravine. [I must admit I was a little scared.]
This was a lookout point that we "detoured" to go see. Another couple came while we were there and we were able to get a picture of both of us [and not just our faces]
Did I mention that how humid it was? Cuz we were soaking!!
We saw this beautiful butterfly on along our way. It was huge [like the size of my hand].
We made it to our destination, but we couldn't make it to the beach. We were "stranded" on some rocks because the tide hadn't gone out enough. We could see the sand in the back ground, but didn't dare to brave the waves and the rocky terrain to get there.
But it was a beautiful area, and there was no one else around. [PS I know this isn't the greatest picture of Shawn, but I love how it shows how secluded it was, and how big and beautiful the whole area is.
We took a different trail back [they all sort of loop together] and stopped at this beach and went swimming. We were so hot by this point. I loved the water, but Shawn wasn't so much of a fan...apparently 80 degree water isn't cold enough for him. Perfect for me--heavenly!!
Shawn tried to take a bunch of pictures of me in my swimming suit--all of which are too dark [thankfully!] but I like the silhouette of this one.
It was getting late--neither of us had watches--and the afternoon storm was rolling in, so when this guy showed up and started walking directly towards us, we decided it was time to leave.

Manuel Antonio National Park was definitely a highlight. I got to see and experience so many things that I never had before. [I also really really love animals] It was just so cool. I hope the pictures do it some justice...

How about the Snow?!??

I can't believe the snow. I'm in denial. Honestly. It's still October!!!

Shawn was Singing with Delight this morning... Songs that go something like "Snow Snoow Snooow!"

And even though to Shawn it's "beginning to look a lot like Christmas" [and he wants to play Christmas music already]

To me, it's still Fall. I need to carve my pumpkin...and Halloween is coming!

In fact--I know where I'll be on Friday... I'll be watch Macfisto at the Rose Wagner Theater. Details Here. Watch the trailer below :)

MACFISTO from Ryan Sacks on Vimeo.

Where will you be??

Costa Rica-Day 3

Monday October 12, 2009:

Because Manuel Antonio Park is closed on Mondays, we scheduled a "Sailing Tour" that advertised seeing dolphins, whales, and even sea turtles.
Well, we didn't see any! I was so disappointed, but we did get a sweet tour of the area by boat. And we got to go snorkeling for about 45 minutes. It was amazing. Shawn had never been [I think he liked it :)] There were these yellow/silver fish that would just swim right up to you. They weren't afraid and wouldn't swim away like the other fish. But wow there were so many different species of fish all around the rock-I couldn't believe it. My favorite was this little black fish with a florescent purple nose and bright blue dots down it's sides. Unfortunately, Shawn and I forgot to put sunscreen on our backs before we jumped in the water. I've never been that sunburned in my whole life. Seriously-one hour was worse than a whole day without sunscreen back home.
After Snorkeling we had lunch on the boat--Marlin kabobs, fresh fruit and pasta salad. The kabobs were pretty good, but I didn't eat much because I had a serious case of motion sickness. The boat was a catamaran and it rode low to the water and had a net for the middle of the boat. I was not doing so well... Shawn said I was looking a little green...Luckily he was doing just fine and was even able to get some video of the ride.

Even with being sick I liked the boat ride. It was cool, and a great way to spend most of our day. We just relaxed in our hotel that afternoon [I had to let my stomach settle]. This might sound lame...but one highlight of the trip came Monday night.

We went to dinner at La Hacienda. Absolutely amazing. Shawn wanted to go back every night, but I wouldn't let him. It was seriously some of the best food we had while we were there, and the best food I've had in a long long time. I got cranberry pork tenderloin with rosemary potatoes and vegetables. Mmm I can almost taste its goodness just thinking about it. Shawn's dish was also good [I had a bite]. He got shrimp with jasmine curry and rice and pineapple. Talk about a flavor explosion! We were the only ones in the restaurant [We went during the "off season"] and we sat next to the...backyard forest jungle foliage area. Haha. I can't explain it. It felt like were were eating dinner in the rainforest...except we were in this really nice restaurant. It was a relaxing satisfying evening. Reaffirming my phrase that Costa Rica is "Tropical Paradise".

If you're wondering, yes, you should go. As soon as you can.

Costa Rica-Day 2

Sunday October 11, 2009:

We woke up to this view. [In downtown San Jose mind you]
Then boarded this little plane...

And got an amazing view of Costa Rica from the air.
We arrived at our hotel to find towel decorations like this one in the sink and on the bed [they did different things every day-it was very neat]
This was the view from our room
Then we drove to the beach and walked around.
And then ate the worst pizza we've ever had for lunch, explored the hotel some more and got dinner at La Cantina. The food was good, but we were fascinated by the design [no outer walls, everything was wood...it was just cool!] All in all it was a pretty good day!

Costa Rica-Day 1

Saturday October 10, 2009:

We flew from Salt Lake to Atlanta, Atlanta to San Jose Costa Rica. We got in later [around 9:30 pm] So we checked into our hotel, and then went and got a bite to eat. I don't even know the name of the place, but it was Delicious!

Just arrived at the Hotel Room--We made it!

While we were away...

My sister had her baby!

Introducing Carly Ann




Born: October 15, 2009

I think she is pretty cute--Shawn hasn't met her yet, but he will.

Did I mention that we're home?

We are. We got back late Sunday night (around 1 am). I am struggling to get back into the groove of normal life.

I wish I were still on vacation...

Costa Rica was paradise--more to come!