Costa Rica!

Costa Rica! We visited Costa Rica to see the Blatt family, now living there.

Peter at Parque La Sabana		The first evening, we participated in a Zumba class at the Escazu town park.


		On the way to La Fortuna - the road was blocked. We thought there were two blockages, but it was actually just one (but we came at it from 2 directions). It made driving anywhere from our hotel much more difficult.


Us driving on the dirt road detour		Lunch in La Fortuna


At our hotel Princessa De La Luna - south of La Fortuna. Lots of tadpoles in this semi-drained pool		The most comfortable seats in the house


At the swimming pool		At the mud bath down by the river


A chair made out of old yokes for oxen		The kids enjoyed petting the cat, which was pregnant - you could feel her babies moving


The kids at the Soda Osires, the restaurant we went to all the time.		Some red-eyed frogs mating


This toad definitely didn't want to be in the picture		Funny looking frog


These ants, called Bullet ants, are very large. Apparently the bite is very painful		The patio


Our clothes, which never dried		Breakfast at the lodge


Leafcutter ants were everywhere.		A few scenes from the road





		We did a zipline tour! Very exciting. Peter is all geared up to go.


		Showing our true feelings


		The tram that took us up was made in Austria


We had reasonable weather - the Arenal Volcano was visible at times





On some of the ziplines, the kids had to go down together, otherwise they would have gotten stuck (too light)		Any last words?





We stopped at Los Laureles hot springs. Very nice, targeted towards locals, so much cheaper. We also met up with some other friends - Cathy and Branden, and their kids		This picture makes sense if you look very carefully at the sign in the background





		Leaf cutter ants make these cleared paths wherever they have their trails


Blue Jean frog in the trails around the lodge		We got groceries at the Pali a lot. They had watchtowers in the parking lot - to watch the cars, I assume.


		A Koati crossing


From the Observatory Lodge, where we did some walks		Tree ferns


I think this was called Travelers Rest - you can squeeze water out of the flower, and also you can put the water on your hair, it has a pleasant smell		Good in the rain!


Refried beans come in these squeeze pouches here. Good for sandwiches!


At first we thought it was just clouds, but later it did seem that the volcano was actually smoking


Waterfall		Everything got misted with water at the waterfall


I wrote on Kenny's jacket, through the mist		Ilana was bitten by an ant while in the hot spring, and got a severe reaction


		We walked around the lodge, which was a former macademia nut farm


I think this may be a juvenile Green Basilisk lizard		More leaf cutter ants





Peter found these lacy leaf skeletons		Eric, all dressed up for a hike. He does NOT like bugs!


Lots of bbqs were made out of wheels		A guy was building more rustic furniture for additional cabins at Princessa De La Luna Lodge.


Getting caught in the rain!		Wilbur got us some fresh coconuts


Peter enjoyed the fresh star fruit		Back in San Jose/Escazu - more Zumba!


Coconut juice at the market		At the crocodile river


		There was a whole slew of empty buildings on our drive to Manuel Antonio park


At the Hotel California outside of Quepos		Timing was tricky on this photo!


Massively deep gutters like this were everywhere. You really had to watch out.		You can barely see the pool in the background


Yummy breakfast burritos at the hotel		Practicing boogie boarding


In the water on boogie boards!


I ended up with a massive sunburn right above my bikini bottom - I see why!		Benji showing some style!


Lining up at the beach		Making a boogie board fort


Peter the manmade mermaid		This toucan was right outside our hotel room


A collection of bits of leafs, cut from the leaf cutter ants. I'm not sure if these were rejects, or just a temporary repository		Houseplants, growing in the wild


Cool seed pods		Nauyaca falls. It was far higher than when the Blatts were there.


		Interesting looking plants. I remember the characteristic veins of leaves from plants in the Melastomatacae family





		Huge grasshopper


		Monkeys at the beach


		Bought some Mamon Chino/Rambutan off the street. It was the first time I'd tried them.


These little squares above the bed corners were absolutely deadly on knees. Very painful.


Scary looking palm tree at Manuel Antonio park


		Racoons trying to eat our food


		At the beach. The racoons were everywhere, trying to go for people's food.


The beach was delightful. Calm and warm.		Large grasshoppers were EVERYWHERE.