Arriving in Tamarindo, Costa Rica

 

Our trip started out with dad's rendition of On the Road Again (we had to drive to SFO), and horseplay in the backseat.  Other than the singing, our journey was flawless. Flights were on time, no luggage lost, everyone was nice and helpful, and our driver met us as planned!  Despite all this I think it was our hardest travel day ever.  Trading in a good night of sleep in exchange for a drive to San Fran, waiting til midnight to catch our flight to Texas, a layover, and finally arriving in Costa Rica was exhausting.  We seemed awake enough to eat lunch, but could barely move in the heat ("real feel" 100 degrees) and then we all passed out for the afternoon. As if it isn't bad enough that we never stepped foot on the beach - and we are staying at a beach front resort - the worst of all was breaking my #1 rule - to watch the sunset every night.  Luckily we are staying on the top floor so we saw most of it, but we weren't on the beach with foofoo drink in hand. 

We got lucky with our condo. Everyone gets their own room and bathroom - except Greg and I but that's ok because our bedroom is almost the size of the entire upstairs. And the view from the 3 balconies is priceless!  While we went to the grocery store, the kids found the pool which I think I read is the biggest in the country; it will be fun to try out the swim up bar. 

I saw more than enough critters already. On our walk I had to jump up 3 feet to avoid the 3-foot snake. Lovely. Hoping that was the first and last, and extremely glad I had a flashlight so it wasn't wrapped around my leg. (Oh, maybe that is why Tauck said to bring a flashlight!!). The other critter is the hamster- size cockroach sharing our kitchen.  I hope we still have food left in the morning. 

Time to call it a night!

Getting Ready to Go!

We are jumping on the Hecox bandwagon and heading to Costa Rica for our summer vacation!  Our 1st week will be spent on the beach in Tamarindo (Pacific Coast).  The 2nd week we, together with mom, Craig and Reene, and Glenn’s family, are traveling with mom's favorite, prestigious Tauck touring company across the northern part of the country: Pacific Coast - Arenal volcano - Caribbean Coast.

 

Preparing for the trip has been one of the easiest vacations yet...I guess that is what happens when you go with a tour company plus relax on a beach.  We had to renew the dang kids' passports, only good for 5 years - which we originally got unnecessarily (U.S. postponed implementing the new law) for a cruise (the last Hecox adventure) but have managed to use a few times since then. This time we waited until Jeremy turned 16 so at least his could be good for 10 years!

 

Not having been to Costa Rica, I am likening it to Hawaii - except with lots of critters (crocodiles, snakes, bugs) and lots of rain (it's the very rainy season)!  Jeremy thinks it is pretty "cool" we are going, "just because".  Chris thinks it's cool too - either because that is the only <clean> word teenager know, or he heard Jeremy; he is excited about the activities we get to do while we are there.  Kate, our adventurer who loves to be with us and do everything, is “really really excited!”   I am interested to see how this all plays out!  

 

We are leaving in just a few days on Friday June 21.  Yay it is almost here!  I will spend my free time obsessing about what to bring (because I hate bringing anything yet I hate having nothing), quarantining clean clothes from my kids, the obligatory process of being present during Greg's (my idea of "last minute") packing process, and a few other unimportant tidbits.  

 

I am getting very ready to experience "pura vida"!