Nosara

So, we aren't in Nosara anymore, but let me try to catch you all up slowly. My head is still a little fuzzy from the panic attacks that I am suffering, but I have an appointment tomorrow morning with a naturopath who should help!!!

Nosara was a beautiful place, and the Harmony was Heavon on Earth. When I booked us into the Harmony Hotel, I really had no idea what we were in for. But as soon as our driver dropped us off it was evident that we were about to be spoiled! Within only moments I was already feeling calm and relaxed. The interior was fresh and warm, clean and inviting. We were greeted at the reception by friendly and very helpful staff who explained to us how the Harmony Hotel works. The steps that they take every day to help the environment (recycling, reusing grey water, etc), also to help the local animals (both Monkeys and Turtles), local children, and using local and organic foods. This was actually the first time on our trip so far that I had seen anything to do with Recycling! (although I'm sure it's not the only place in Costa Rica). During our introductions, we were brought delicious welcome drinks, and shown to our room ( I forgot to ask what the drink was, and am a little sad I don't know). Down the little pathways and past the quaint pool, the lush greenery and exotic plants, and we were there. The Harmony Hotel is a one story hotel and has both traditional hotel rooms and separate little villas. All beautifully decorated in traditional bare wood, and wood painted white. Our room was number 15, a large one bed villa slightly away from the main reception, pool and restaurant, which was nice since we had the boys. There was a small sitting desk where we could use our lap-top free of charge, a large king size bed with crisp white sheets and pillows, a cute sofa that we turned into a bed for the boys, and a coffee table. There were Britt chocolate covered coffee beans (white and dark chocolate) and Macadamian nuts for treats near the coffee and coffee machine, and the fridge had a few beers and water bottles (which they hope you reuse, the water here is tested periodically and is safe to drink). The closet held around a dozen shirts, but there wasn't much room to keep suitcases, nor was there a dresser of sorts. The washroom was large with a huge open tiled shower, separate toilet and sinks, and a beautiful tiled tub with slide out windows to the garden outside. The Harmony Hotel also offers some wonderfully exotic shampoos and rinses. Mint and Black Pepper Shampoo, Jasmine and Grandiflorum Conditioner, and Costa Rican Coffee and Lemon Body wash. Yum! The walk to the beach is about 2 minutes, down a cute little path the same as most of the others on the property. You pass the surf boards for rent, cross a small path, and continue on. You can't miss it. The beach is beautiful, nice soft sand, sea shells, and of course killer waves. The Harmony Hotel has a guard on duty for most of the day at the beach, all guests are welcome to leave their belongings with him for safe keeping. During our 3 night stay we ate at the restaurant for 3 wonderful break-fasts (pancakes, fresh fruit, smoothies, french toast, omelets), 3 amazing lunches (pasta, fish, sandwiches, salads) and 3 delicious dinners (the green coconut curry fish with stir-fry veggies and jasmine rice was my favorite)! Because they use local and organic foods, if something is not in season, they will not have it. So if you order the Roti with Mango Chutney sauce in November, you will not receive the sauce, Mango's are not in season, a lesson we learned.

We had a great time there for our 3 nights. We went to the beach every day and watched the sunsets every night. Played in the pool a lot and ate amazing food. We even took the 5 minute walk into 'town'. There they had a few more restaurants and hotels, 2 real estate offices and a few artisan shops. After our 3 days we headed 10 minutes north (still staying in Nosara) and stayed at the Guilded Iguana. This was a much more laid back place. The rooms were definatly not as nice and the walk to the beach was double the time of the Harmony, but there were a lot of travellors here and we got to meet some great people. Most of the people here were surfers, either in a group or with families. Most were from the states that we met. Jonathan was travelling on his own, a treat for his birthday. He was an acupunturist from California who liked to travel on his own and see new places. He's been to Nosara before, but Pete and the group his was with were here for the surf and adventure. There were also a few kids running around that the boys got a chance to play with. At one point they were all in our room watching Finding Nemo (a movie we rented at the internet cafe, we also had a chance to exchange our book that we had finished reading last week. Chris and I watched fracture, not a bad flick).

Also, I have to mention. Twice when Callym and I were wadding in the Ocean, only about mid calf deep, what did we see? Rays! They weren't too big, maybe the size of a small pizza, but there they were, swimming around and floating by our toes. A very cool thing in deed.

At the Guilded Iguana we had a great time. Good people, great food, and lots more sand and surf. The day we were leaving was sad, but our trip was only a 2 and a half hour ride. The boys did great, and the roads weren't too bad either.