Costa Rica welcomed us every morning with the perennial call of the haller monkey. Although their communication sounded more akin to a ferocious growl of a rabid dog than a friendly "good morning" among monkeys. The family, especially Miles, became experts at mimicking the haller monkey call. Everyday we stopped for cows, horses and iguanas as they crossed the dusty, dirt roads. The Costa Rican roads are like no other. They are beaten and weathered during the rainy season, leaving them replete with potholes the size of massive craters and crevices large enough for small rivers. We saw Armadillo road kill and the road to La Playa Guiones smelled of molasses.
My fabulous kids Just outside our house
Monte Verde cloud forest A sky bridge 500 feet in the air
In Costa Rica the large orange sun sets against periwinkle clouds, disappears into the water, and beautifully illuminates above, leaving its memory in vibrant orange clouds. The night sky has what seems thousands of stars. The stars cover the dark sky in light and beauty. Every day we were dazzled by the striking beauty of the water and beaches. The coast was equally stunning in the high, hot sun and in the soft warm light of the setting sun.
Zip line harnesses
Our favorite place to be was the beach. We went to many beautiful beaches
However the only hammock time we got on our vacation was when it was used as a propeller swing!
The kids liked the local festivals a-bustle with villagers all dressed up for a night out, various fried foods, and of course the Corridas (bull riding), Christmas palms decorated with lights and festive bulbs and driving straight through a river instead of having a bridge. At first Amelia counted the number of rivers crossed. but lost track around 49 (the actual number well over 100). Max loved to watch for babies on motorcycles riding with their parents, simply set between parent and handle bars. Bugs have never been so fascinating as in Costa Rica. Every morning was exploration time as Max and Miles picked up the various dead bugs from their nights toil and examined them in their fingertips.
Surf lessons with the kids. Everyone got up and did and excellent job!
Miles was a joy and a trooper
Costa Rica's rich landscape and culture gave us many wonderful experiences and colorful memories. Enjoy and we will let them each unfold in vivid color and description.
