To the Peninsual

Today was our last day at the all inclusive in Punteranas. It was fantastic to be there, but nothing close to what we are truly looking for. We had a nice breakfast together, and took a stroll down the beach. I really wanted to get some pictures of the Lizards sunning on the rocks, and the boys wanted to throw rocks into the Ocean. Both were accomplished. The sun wasn't out, it was quite cloudy, but it wasn't raining yet, so that was nice. The boys threw rocks and I took my pictures for about an hour, then we headed back to the room and finished packing. We were trying to condense our things to one less bag (it had broken already), but were unable to this yet. (It is only a week into the trip, I'm sure we can do this by the time we arrive or leave Belize in December).

We were wondering how we were going to make it from Puntarenas to Montezuma. It's not a difficult trip, but with 2 kids and 5 large bags and 1 carry-on each (yes we brought all but the kitchen sink!) it was going to be a challenge. We decided to hire a taxi for the entire day. Another option was to take a taxi to the ferry, walk on, and hire a taxi on the other end. That could have worked, but I was worried that either there wouldn't be any around, or they would take advantage of us with all our baggage and kids (especially if it was pouring rain). Anyways, we hired a taxi, and headed downtown. Chris had an appointment at the bank, supposedly his eaten debit card was going to be there. A five minute run-in to the bank turned into almost an hour. I couldn't run in to see what was going on, I couldn't leave our bags (let along our kids!), so I sat and waited. If anything else could have happened it would have been the boys needing to use the Banos. Well, they did. But I couldn't take them either, and I was more worried about missing the Ferry. (we were told that on the weekend people lined up in there cars at 10:30 for the 12 o-clock ferry and it was already past one, would we make the 2pm one?) If that happened I wasn't sure what would be up then. Would we owe the driver more money? Would he just leave us? Etc..... Chris finally came out of the bank - without his card, seems it would now be there on Monday. Our driver actually went in to see if he needed any help, nice guy that Viktor. So we were off again. Well, the 2pm ferry left at 1:40, but it was o.k. we were on it! So glad. The debit card would have to be picked up some other time.

The 2 hour ferry was fantastic and scenic. I wish our pictures turned out better, but today was extreamly cloudy. Also, the ferry only took an hour and 40 minutes. (who says Costa Rican's are late, so far everything has been early and fast!) We landed at Paquera and it was like Gilligans Island. At first I thought that we were making a tico stop and picking up a local fisherman. Nope this was the town. Small. Slow. And so Beautiful. There were only a handful of homes together at a time. Kids riding bikes, walking. Hanging out and talking. The road was barely wide enough for 2 cars, and the potholes would make Edmonton look like a paved paradise. Some were nearly mid calf deep and 3 or 4 feet wide. (impressive when the road is only 7 or 8 feet wide). From Paquera to Montezuma it's only about 15 km, but with the recent rain, and the deteriorating roads, the trip took just over an hour. Narrow winding roads surrounded by tropical rainforest PLUS you could hear and smell the Ocean from there too. I was thinking that we had found 'our spot'. We came to the hotel and the owner was at the entrance waiting for us. ( we had called ahead for directions - actually very silly in a town THIS small), so she had our room key ready and took us right up. I explained to her that we had no plans, we could be here a day or a week, or a month. She told us that it didn't matter, whenever we wanted to leave we could just let her know. Payment was due when we left and if we needed anything she was there. I didn't catch her name (my bad), but she's only been here 3 years, she's from Sweden and did pretty much the same thing as we are. Sold it all and came looking for paradise. Perfect!

So, we have unpacked, took a wonderful rainy stroll into town ( a 10 minute walk - there really isn't a 'town', it's just a few hotels, restaurants, shops, and thing along a windy rain-forest road along the ocean). Had a fantastic dinner...... Octopus spagetti for Callym (2.50), Seafood spaghetti for me (2.50), Oscar had fresh fish (3.00) and Chris had an assorted seafood dish (3.00), 2 beers and 2 fresh coconut milk shakes, and the bill was less than 20$. I am going to love this place. We walked home (in the rain again) and stopped to pick up some apple juice, beer and snacks. Tomorrow is going to be a perfect adventure. Buenos Noche!


Lukie Love to all!

The All-Inclusive Life

I know what you're thinking. We've sold the house and our now spoiling ourselves and spending our last pennies on an all-inclusive holiday. Well, you're partly right. We are spoiling ourselves, but it was not expensive. Don't worry. Right now we are getting our bearings, and settling in. We still have beautiful plans of rooting ourselves in a paradise. It could take months, or it could not. We are in no rush, and we are also not doddling. After a 12 hour plane ride, and ending up in a hotel/apartment without a pool, the boys were very dissapointed, and rightly so. They were under the impression that we were going to the beach, jungle and there was a pool. False advertising, or a misunderstanding. At any rate, we are here for 3 nights, and are heading off on a ferry to this area Take your pick on the area, we're going to try them all out. After all, this isn't a vacation. We have no job or home to come back to. We have all the time in the world. Kind-of. We've only been here a few days. Less than a week. We are starting to get the feel of the place, but we really do need to see more. And then there is Belize in December. Wow, another paradise to discover. Well see what happens. But rest assured, we will keep in touch, and keep writing. Please write to us. We miss you all and Love you lots!

Puntarenas

I'm not sure if I mentioned this, but we decided to leave Heredia early. We were ment to stay for the entire month of October, but well, for a few reasons we have left. It is a wonderful and beautiful city (town), but I think we were thinking it was different. I thought that small towns were quite. This place was not. We didin't want car alarms, radio's and traffic, (and a rooster? what kind of rooster crows all day and all night?) Anyways, we left the Apart-Hotel Roma (ended our contract early, but we worked it out that we can come back and stay for a few days for free this month or next. We are thinking of staying there when we have to come back this way for our flight from San Jose to Belize at the end of November), so all worked out well.

Do you know the feeling of loseing time? When your on vacation and you have no idea if it's lunch or dinner, if it's Monday or Thursday? Well, we are IN THE ZONE! We hired a car and driver to get us from Heredia to Puntarenas yestaurday, and got to the hotel (actaully an all inclusive, but whatever!) *I'll tell you about the drive in a moment* Anyways, we get here, and I run to reception to check in...... Ah, Miss Lukie, I can not find your reservation. Are you sure you have one? Yes, please check again, (the boys want to get into the pool NOW) So she checks again. Oh, yes Miss Lukie, I found you..... but it is not until tomorrow. Can you come back? HUH? Are you kidding? What the Heck? Too funny. Costa Rican's are so friendly, but also funny! So, we get checked in, and now have 3 days here instead of two. That will make the boys happy. (and Chris and I too I suppose).

On to the drive.

Think back to the last time you were in the mountains. You know the highway I'm talking about, the narrow, turning highway that is surrounded by tree's. And then suddenly you pass a beautiful waterfall, and the animals, and the smell. You climb higher and higher, and after one more turn see a stunning view of a city or town. It' just seems to go on forever. And you don't want it to stop. Instead, you want to stop, you don't want to enter any type of civilization. You want the calm, and the air, and the open freedom......

Well, now magnify that by 1000000000 times. This was stunning. Amazing. Beautiful. Breath-taking. I can't believe that there is such a place on earth. I've heard of the Pan-American Highway, but I thought it was just that. A highway. Well, not this part. This was a small narrow turning highway. But it was more. It was Jungle. Rainforest. Cloud forest. We were literally surrounded by trees, overhead, and on both sides. Small little villages in the little clearings and climbing up the hills. The freshest (although damp and humid) air. It was just perfect. I wanted to stop and stay. I wanted to find a little corner and build a little house out of mud and rock and stay. Well, kind-of. I don't think that would have really worked, but who knows. Another thing I didn't expect, I thought that this beauty would end once we arrived at the hotel, but it didn't! We just made a turn and were there. Ahh, Costa Rica. My new found love.

We are now at the All inclusive for a few days. Off to the Southern part of the Nicoya Penninsula for some more time. Not sure how long, we have learned now to not make huge plans. Just little ones, and take it as it comes. It's a good feeling. We're all happy, safe and of course miss you all. Thanks for calling everytime we're on line Stena, we love you.

More soon.
Purda Vida

Que?

Morning. I had agreta idea about what I was supposed to writ today, but it slipped my mind. This trip is teaching me alot about life in general. Making me appreciate certain things in life, such as a hot shower with pressure, quiet (although I do not remember the last time I had that), my family, a vehicle (can't believe that), a working bank machine, and lots of other things. On the other hand I realise there are still lots of things that I have that I really do not need. Such as, lots of clothes, a bank card (the first bank machine I used ate it anyways), a vehicle (can't believe that), quiet, and so on and so forth. A ral eye opener. I love the jungle and the smell. I love the hills and the constant green of the country. The tico homes have a real charm to them, although I do not know if could ever live in one. But heck it's only day three, i think. Days have really lost meaning in this life. we came one day early to a hotel we reserved, and just laughed cause it was pretty ridiculous. One thing about travelling in a small hilly country is that to appreciate the landscape of cities, towns, 'country' and then more towns and villages is they do not come across like anything we are used to in a Canadian setting. I am getting better at it after two trips thru the countryside, and can tell you that everythign is closer here. Your neighbours are attached to your fence and wall. Your town is on the highway. The highway for that matter reminds me of the road that you take to Stych's house after you take that right over the train tracks, but it is narrower and has more turns. And that is a main highway! But once you get past that you realise the closeness of it all. I also see how time gets affected here with all the rain. As Tamara wrote, it can rain many times in a day. Lots of people use that to sit and wait,and that to me is fantastic. They can do it I suppose you are saying, but so can you. We were sitting at a RostiPollos and I watched the rain as I was eating. I noticed an old man that came in and just sat on a bench that was inside the door. He sat and waited for the rain to quit. I felt myself doing the same, and if I did not have to take two little guys to the bathroom three times I would have actually had a chance to unwind a bit more. Oh well, life is great out here. And although we have had a few disappointments so early, we will perservere and see wherre we can get. If the boys let us that is. By far, keeping two boys entertained while trying to plan and book things is the greatest challenge so far. We'll keep going and see what happens. So far no revelations. Heredia was nice but not so early in the trip. It was just like Edmonton. Car alarms, sirens, a rooster (... well not that part), and city noise in general. We did not want to stay in a place where you are supposed to go shopping for somethign to do, so we had tomove on. We are now in Puntarenas for a couple days, adb then off to the Nicoya Peninsula. The pool was great and it is so great to hear waves again. I'll go listen again. Unfortunately, rooms do not have internet (oh poor me and my convenience mindset yet) and so i am in the bar (oh woe is me having a free bar) typing away with minimal spelling mistakes. Talk to you soon. Rum is great. Thanks Paul. Vida.

Las Pas Waterfall Tour

Our tour started with a super nice guy named Olman picking us up early at 10:30 am. We picked up another couple at the Marriott, and headed North West. Olman was so cool to point out many interesting things on the way up. We first went through many many tiny villages (towns). They all seemed run down and poor, but this is the way. The people aren't poor, but have much less when compared to our standards. The homes are made either with whatever they could find (it seemed) or are block homes covered with bars and gates. The bars and gates are both for security (although the crime here is very very low) and also part of the Spanish heritage. Anyone who has been to Spain (or Italy) will know about the bars and gates. Very beautiful actually.

After a few small and quaint towns, we started the climb up. Narrow NARROW roads, potholes, and fast driving. Needless to say, the boys loved it. They thought they were in a HotWheels Race Van! Once we hit the elevation of 1000 feet, the Coffee Plantations were everywhere. It was so incredible. One of the roads we needed to get to was closed because of all the rain they have been getting here, but Olman knew of a short-cut. This would usually worry me a little, but we are on an adventure of a lifetime, so I let it pass. And am I ever glad I did. This short-cut was through the oldest Coffee Plantation in Costa Rica. 3rd Generation Coffee is what it was called. We needed permission to come onto the property, but that was easily granted. The boys needed to use the bano (please see the pictures if you're interested) and so we were able to get out and look around. This coffee plantation actually gives tours, so we headed to the gift shop for some free samples! So good. Better than good. And the boys loved the chocolate covered coffee beans. (was this a mistake?)

Did you know........The Plantation was over 450 hectares, and it implyed over 1000 workers. They exported 90% of their crop to Europe and the USA. Most good workers can pick 30 baskets of ripe beans per day, and they recieve 1$ per basket. A good wage according to Olman. Also, coffee bean plants take 3 years to mature so that they are ready to be harvested, and they only ripen in October, November and December. When they cut the tree's back for better growing, they use the cut branches to roast the beans.

Once we hit 1700 Feet, Coffee could not be grown anymore, so the area was now filled with Dairy farms. Cows Cows Cows everywhere. On the road, in the fields, Everywhere. Here again the villages looked poor, but don't tell the Costa Ricans, this is the way they live. Honestly, I have yet to meet a sad Costa Rican. Everyone here is happy all the time.

In around this time the cloud forests appeared. I have never been inside a cloud, but this was very very cool. It wasn't actually raining, but the mist was so thick it was very hard to see in front and behind you. Glad Olman knew how to drive! A little later we hit the Continental divide. This is where the rivers start flowing in different directions. The same as in the mountains in B.C., here the water either goes to the Pacific or Caribbean side. Cool

Las Pas Waterfalls was soon after this, and were we glad to get out of the van. We had been travelling for around 2 hours now. I thought the boys would be hungry, but they were eager to get on with the tour. We started with the birds. Scarlet Macaws, Blue Macaws, Toucans and more. We were inside the enclosure, so the birds actually came right up to us. Callym was about 2 feet from one, and it was the coolest thing ever. During the walk we passed by a huge display of bettles, ants, and other many HUGE bugs. These can be seen on our photo site. From there we headed into the butterfly area. This too was enclosed. They were everywhere. There were butterflies flying around, caterpillars under every leaf, eggs on the leaves, and cocoons all around. We saw some of the most interesting cocoons. Please see the pictures, but I will tell you know, some looked like pure solid shiny gold!

From here we saw the frogs. There weren't many to be seen (all hiding) but the few that we saw were very cool. Red-eyed tree frogs, Blue Jean frogs (because they are red with Blue legs that makes it look like they are wearing jeans) the HummingBird exhibit was in the open air, and was incredible. There were about a hundred of them. I tried my best to get pictures, but they are fast. Really fast. Amazing though. The whole day was.

After this we started the walk to the waterfalls. This included many, many, many steps. All steep and all slipery. Here everything is so damp that they stairs, trees, and everything in between is covered in moss. Makes for slippery stepping. The waterfalls, and the entire park is in the Jungle (rainforest it's called too) Oscar loved this so much. Callym was keeping his eyes open for Jaguars. (none here tho). They were smilling the entire day. It was fantastic. These boys didn't complain the entire trip, not even when we climbed both up and down more than 300 steps!

I can't describe the waterfalls. They were breathtaking, and powerful and amazing and magnificent, and, oh. Just take a look at the pictures. Actually, pictures can never really be the same as being there. But truly, it was BEAUTIFUL!


Instead of walking back up (which I don't think the boys could do, nor could Chris carry them up all thouse stairs, seeing as he carried at least one, sometimes both down most of them), we took a shuttle back up to the main part. Here we had a fantastic Costa Rican lunch and hit the guest shop. The boys found some cute frog toys (they really ribbit!) and we headed back home. Olman took a different way, just to show up more of Costa Rica, and the boys had a great siesta along the bumpy roads.
Once we got back we had a nice dinner, and started packing. We are going to Puntarenas tomorrow. More to come. Promise.

Our picture site, if you don't already have it.

I know that I have promised a great entry about our tour. And although it was fantastic, I am so very very tired. I have also misplaced? Or forgotten our camera downloading plug-in thingy...... so no pictures until then...... I hope I have it somewhere. The story will just not be the same without them. Until tomorrow. Buenos Notches.

a new day!

Well our sleep was fantastic, and the boys stayed in there bed all night! Quite a feat.... We're off soon to go on our tour, that should be fantastic. Just wanted to touch base with you all and let you know that we are great and still can't believe how lucky we are. To be here, and to have such great family. Thank you all who have called us! I will write a long post later today telling of our tour. Also, we are moving out of Heredia tomorrow and heading off to Puntarenas. It's on the coast, and we will be there for 3 nights before we take the ferry to Montezuma on the southern part of the Nicoya Pennisula! Exciting! Anyways, off for now, and we'll talk with you all soon.

1st Day in CR Paradise.

Well, we're up. We're happy, and we're still a little amazed that we're HERE! Ah, so we started the day off with a beautiful thunderstorm, ah 9am and it starts. It only last about 25 minutes. And now we're dressed and ready to head off into town. Actually, we're leaving around 10:30. Nice! I took a map from Omar at Reception and now we try to find our way. Chris just met a guy named James from around the Niagra Falls area in Ontario. Seems he lives here part time and part time in Canada. We chat a little, and try to make our way to town.

Heredia, has one of the marine biology Universities and so, we assume there are many students, although it's Sunday, so I'm not sure how many we will see. We walk, turn left, walk, turn right. Now by this time people are looking at us. Well, we are cute, but it's more of the look of ' who are these people, and where are they trying to go'? Now I know why. We've just walked into a dead end. We're in a residencial area, but it's very run down. I'm sure this isin't the worst part of town, that would be in San Jose, but it's not somewhere where we would like to stay, (or be at night). But the people are friendly, and we somehow find our way out. Then, we're lost again. estoy perdeda (I'm lost) I think I need to remember that one! Well, we see a guy in one of the University areas. He tells us through the gate that he'll let us in to use a short cut. So we do. As soon as we get to the entrance gate one of the security men look at us like we're crazy people, and what are we doing here? Um, what are we doing here? Good thing the 'short cut' guy was driving beside us. And now it starts to thunderstorm again. #2. Anyways, we explain to him that we're just looking for the centre of town and a place for lunch. He speaks English almost better than me and helps us out. Then as we are about to start walking in the rain, (all of us with our back-packs and me with our laptop bag (Can't be to careful) and the camera) TOURISTS!!!!) the 'short-cut' guy gives us a lift! So nice. I can't believe it. He takes us to a restaurant, and when we find it closed, he takes us to another one. Nice Costa Rican's!

So after a great lunch, we start walking, but being a Sunday not much was open. It seems as though this town is not really for us. I know it's only been a day, and not even a full day at that. But sometime I guess you just know. It's hard to explain..... but we are looking for a certain something....... and this is just not it.

Anyways, we came home (found our way quite well this time) and headed off to bed for our siestas! WOW do I LOVE SIESTAS!!! During this time it Thunderstormed twice. Talked with a some family, and got ourselves a tour set up for tomorrow. We are going on a beautiful tour tomorrow. Volcanoe, Waterfalls, Butterfly park, Serpentarium, Animals and MORE! We've somehow found a guide that will pick us up later than 6am. So as I speak, Chris is making sure we are ready to go, because really.... 9 am is still early for us sometimes! (A huge thing!!!) Ok, please add one more thunderstorm, this one was heavy, but only about 10 minutes!

So, after Siesta, we went out for dinner. A great place called El Grand Papa! Well, as we leave for the restaurant thunderstorm again. Beautiful! We get a cab to the restaurant and it's stopped raining. Order some great delicious food and it starts to thunderstorm again, not once, but twice! Anyways, as I said, the food was great, and the people were so friendly so far. We're here at home now, getting ready for bed.

One more note. I'm a little sad, Why? Well, I was kind-of thinking that I would have seen a big scary bug already. Huge spider, Scorpion, something! But nothing. I've seen a humming bird, and I think when I went out for my last smoke I scared a bat, but nothing else. Oh well. Not sure why it matters, I know I'll just 'freak out' when it does happen. And I'm sure tomorrow in the Jungle something will scare me. Anyways, off to bed for now, I hope to have a great story and beautiful pictures for you all tomorrow.

Lukies Out!