Beach days

For the last three days we have been staying at a beach resort near the small town of Samara. The beach is on a little cove. We have been fortunate that it hasn't been too rainy while we have been here. Our first day we took a kayak tour to a little island that was literally swarming  with hermit crabs. Eric, ever the adventurer, climbed up the island's waterfall while the kids and our guide caught fast moving crabs in the tide pools. 

We have spent lots of time boogie boarding in the waves and swimming in the humongous pool (though it seems to get colder each day we are here).

On the second day, we decided to take a horse ride as a family... It was much more interesting than our first ride which was carried out in a slow horse-head to horse -tail line. We could trot, gallop and we didn't even have to sign a waiver (which has been present at most of our activities). We were rewarded with beautiful views of the ocean.

 Elia had a surprise when her horse tried to hop over a small log in the middle of the path. She fell off and her foot was caught in the stirrup for about three seconds. Bravely, and to the cheers of the rest in our group, she got back on and finished the ride.

Most of the time we spend exploring the beach, finding shells and rocks along the sand or playing in the pool. We have found our favorite smoothie place here. It has a beach front view with the most delicious smoothies that we will try and replicate when we come home! ;)

We also enjoy seeing iguanas run across the road or path that are at least 24" long, the native species of squirrel that has a burnt orange body and black stripe that runs from his neck down his body, and the birds that steal the sugar packets.

Days 3 and 4

We had a whirlwind couple of days accompanied by spotty internet so it was hard to do a post. On day three we took a guided walk through a cloud forest complete with about eight hanging bridges. 

We then took a ride up a sky tram to the top of the forest. Most of the day was a downpour so we don't have a lot of pictures. We then went into a small town for lunch and for the chance to look around.

Ethan, who slept through lunch because of a increasingly painful earache, needed something so we took him to the equivalent of the urgent care clinic. The doctor there said he did indeed have an ear infection and prescribed antibiotics. We started him on them that night and he was already better the next morning. 

Yesterday we drove four hours (seeing a troupe of monkeys along the way) 

to see a pottery demonstration 

and take a boat ride where we saw lizards, birds and crocodiles. 

We then drove two more hours to see the oldest church in Costa Rica 

and then beach where we will stay for the next two days. We are all glad for the break from driving! 

Costa Rica day 2

Today was jammed packed with fun. The kids woke up at 5:30 in the morning and we ate a big breakfast then we took off for a day of zip lining through the Costa Rican canopy, horseback riding, tubing down white water rapids and soaking in natural hot springs. It is 6:45 and I feel ready for bed!

We coated ourselves with mineral-laden mud before soaking in the springs.

Everyone was so impressed with the bravery of our kids. We all had a ton of fun! 

Here is a photo from our first day... Juice in a bag with a straw. It was the sweetest pineapple juice ever! Apparently it is fruit season here. Hooray!

Costa Rica day 1

Yesterday we drove to the airport where we surprised Elia and Ethan and told them we were going to Costa Rica. Of course they were shocked. At home they figured we were going someplace, but we told them it was a surprise. They guessed everything from schlitterbahn to chuck e cheese to itz. Nana mentioned something about Passports and Ethan said, "I know! It must be McDonalds!!" I guess it's good that Ethan thinks mcdonalds is foreign enough of a place to need a passport :)! We got in late last night and they were so excited it was hard to get them to go to sleep.

This morning we woke up to a beautiful pool with a water slide... The town of Liberia doesn't have much to see, so after a quick trip downtown we came back to swim more.