Nosara, Costa Rica

Well we are here. We are in Nosara. It may seem a little early, but I think I love it here. It may be that Samara was just not for us, or it may be the fact that we are in the most beautiful and relaxing hotel ever. But anyways, we love it.

OK, let me start at the begining. We woke up today very excited for a new place. The boys were looking forward to seeing some turtles, and Chris and I were earger for a change. I was a little nervous for the drive (seeing that the road was closed last week due to rain, and had just recently re-opened), I just didn't want anyone to be sick or uncomfortable. After a nice breakfast, we finished packing and waited for our driver. 10 am they came and picked us up in a nice big tour van. Plenty of room for our things. I was getting pretty anxious by now, so my sweet sweet husband too over with the boys and let me stare out the window and take deep breaths. I wish I could tell you more about the wonderful scenery, but I was really just concentrating on breathing. Only 55 minutes into the trip and............................ we were here! I couldn't believe how well the boys were for the drive. Not once did I hear, 'my tummy hurts' or ' I don't feel well". Maybe our luck is changing!

So into Nosara. We came straight to ourhotel and it was complete and utter BLISS. It seemed as though everyone who worked here came and introduced themselves and hoped we had a nice stay. We recieved welcome drinks, given a free WiFi code, shown around the amazing grounds (Pool, Beach, Restaurant, Healing Centre, Bar, Games Room, etc). We were brought to not only our room, but a little bungalow seperated from most of the rooms. A nice touch when you have 2 active boys. This room was amazing, by far the nicest, and most calming room I have EVER been too. We unpacked a little, and headed off to the pool. When it started raining we took the short 4 minute walk to the beach. At the reception we were told to shuffle our feet when going into the Ocean because they are blessed here to have many sting rays! So exciting. After a nice lunch we just hung out as a family. Did some catching up with the emails, and the boys had a really fun bubble bath in the huge tiled tub. After a little more relaxing, we decided to head into 'town' to grab some fun munchies for the ESKIMO game! (we really wanted to be here last night for the Bombers game, but it didn't work out).

Walking into 'town' was such a pleasant experience. Again, there are no sidewalks here, it's all dirt roads with just enough room to squish into the tree's when cars go by. The cars always slow down when passing people, and especially when there are pot holes as big as a 4X4 Dogde filled with recent rain water. Our 10 minute walk was filled with the passing of 1 and 2 story beach homes just minutes from the beach, quaint hotels that cater to yoga and surfers. Small little internet shops, movie rentals, book exchange, real estate signs, surf rentals, holistic healers and all spread out in a beautfiul setting. Nothing here was crowded, everyone had their own space, with lush trees and wild exotic flowers. People walked by and said Hola or Hello to everyone they saw. The feeling here was of calm and peace. The people seemed to have a strong energy of laid-backness that just went out to everyone and everything. At the supermarket we picked up some pop, beer, chips and juice, and on the way back Chris and I make the quick decision that 3 or 4 days, even 7 days would probably not be enough to enjoy this piece of paradise. We had passed by many little homes and rooms for rent, so we will have to look into this. We would also like to check out more real estate listings. Very nice.

We came back only to realise that the Eskimo game had already started, and was not televised on the internet. Sad, but I listened for a while until we needed to have some dinner. I'm not sure what Chris had, but my green coconut curry fish was so so so so so good, I can't explain it! They don't serve pop here, but the fresh fruit drinks are very fresh, and the water here is filtered and very safe to drink. The people working here are so calm that you can't help but feel calmer yourself. Something that I think I definatly need. I just hope it rubs off on the boys a little. (Wishful thinking???)

Anyways, now it's time for bed. The boys have been read 4 books, and are now cuddled in together. We're all happy, and mostly healthy! And it's good to be in a place that makes you feel so good. I have a great feeling about this place, if not to live in for a bit, at least to stay for a while.


Until then....

The sad Monkey.

We saw our first monkey here in Samara last night. We were just getting dropped off at our hotel by taxi from dinner and there it was, in the middle of the drive-way, just sitting there. Our driver honked, but it wouldn't move. He stopped and got out, and it didn't even run away. He thought that maybe it had fallen out of the tree and gotten hurt. He went over to the care-takers home and got a rake. He used it to try and get the monkey to hang out to the end. He wanted to at least get it off the road. The monkey had a hard time just holding on to the rake, and the driver told us that he probubly wouldn't make it through the night. He was the cutest, and saddest little thing in the whole world. Chris and Oscar went this morning to see if it in fact was still there, but it wasn't. Is this a good thing? Did it get away and is feeling better? We all hope so.

Off to the Hospital?

I always thought that I was a decently chilled out person. Sure I worried, but not like most, and not for reason's I couldn't change. So what happens when a pretty chill person comes to a very chill place on earth? Anxiety Attacks.?.?.?. Huh, I've never had one before, but that is what the doctor at the hospital said it probubly was. A little embarassing in the end, but very scary during the episode. Why did this happen..... Is it because I'm 30 now, and things are slowly starting to fall apart? Chris says no to that. Maybe it's because things here (although chill) are still very unknown, and really, it is a lot of work to plan so many things, and make sure your family is happy, and healthy, and entertained..... After so many years of Psychology you'd think that I would see this coming, or at least remember enough from my classes (8 years ago) to help myself out..... Well anyways, I'm trying to chill out more now. I've been told (by the doctor, not Chris) to go and get some Valium or Xanax if I want, but I think with a little work and some practice I should be ok. Humm, A chill pill..... Interesting thought tho? What Irony!

Off to the Doctors?

Callym has had a sore throat since our Dolphin trip a few days ago, Chris and I thought it may be sore because he was sea sick, but after a few days of not feeling better we decided to get it checked out. It turns out he has a mild but contagious infection in this throat and mouth. We've been given some antibiotics for him that he needs to take 3 times a day for only 5 days. Chris, Oscar and I are alright, so no need to worry there. Chris said the doctor was very very nice (she worked out of the local pharmacy, so we didn't need to drive anywhere), and she didn't charge us for the visit, which was very unexpected. Anyways, Callym is in great spirits and only occasionally complains that his throat hurts. Great for such a little kid! Our kids are fantastic, they are brave, well behaved, and continuously tell us how much fun they are having. The Lukie's here may not travel so well, but when we do travel, we have a ton of fun.

Miss you all like crazy! The Lukies.....

Finally November???

Well, time sure move slowly when you're relaxing and trying to chill out in the sun. I'm not sure why it seems we've been here so much longer than we really have, maybe because we've stayed in four different towns in 2 and a half weeks, maybe because we've been so relaxed, or maybe because we've done so many things (usually we only get to do these kinds of things as a family on the weekends, and here we can do them any day anytime). At any rate, here we are in November at last! 4 more weeks in Costa Rica, and what are our plans?

We are going to stay in Nosara / Ostional ( Harmony Hotel ) for some time, maybe 4 nights, I'm not sure. It's just up the road from Samara (about 45 minutes drive), and it's one of 2 or 3 main nesting sites for the Ridley Turtles. We are lucky enough to be there during a prime time. They say one of the best months is November, either early in the morning or late at night. They move with the changing tide, and also with the moon cycles. We are coming into a new moon cycle, so we should get lucky. At times, they say, you can see 2 or 3 hundred climbing ashore to lay over 100 eggs each in the sand. Some turtles have been over 1500 kilo's and more than 2 meters long! I hope to have lots and lots of fantastic picture's for you all.

So, after Nosara / Ostional, we want to head north again to Playa Del Coco. I've heard it's another cute little town with fabulous beaches. Samara just wasn't a place we could see ourselves staying long term, but maybe Playa Del Coco will inspire us. After a week or so there, we were thinking of checking our Monteverde and Santa Elena. There they have another amazing cloud forest and waterfalls. A canopy tour or zip line is so intriguing, but the boys are much too small for this. We picked this area because I found a Gondola tour there and am hoping it's both safe and fun for the boys. They enjoyed the gondola in Banff so much, I think this will be fun as well. Just near Monteverde and Santa Elena is La Fortuna and the Arenal Volcano. I would really like for us to stay there and see the action of this active Volcano. There is suppose to be a very nice hotel with great views of the lava flow, I think that would be super fantastic.
From this time, we should be (you never know) near to the end of November, and will be heading back to the Apart-Hotel Roma in Heredia. A few days there to get sick of the city and begin craving the sea, and we'll be flying off to Belize.

Anyways, these are our plans now, maybe check back in a few weeks to see how on track we still are? You never know where we'll end up, and sometimes neither do we!

Money Money Money!!!

Not sure how many of you had the chance to read the post of Chris trying to call the bank. It's here if your haven't yet.... Well, we've learned a very costly lesson! DO NOT USE CREDIT CARD PAY PHONES FOR ANY REASON! I won't horrify you with the actual cost's involved, but whatever your thinking triple it (or just calculate about 10$ US a minute).
A word of advice from someone who has paid the price... use Skype It's a free download, and you can call skype to skype for free. Also, the charges for long-distance is very very reasonable (around 2 cents per minute). The only thing you need is internet connection. Now please, We do not get commissions for skype, but everyone we know that has it, loves it.
If you do travel, just get it. It will save you hassle's and money.