Pura Vida in Costa Rica

Well it´s been a whirlwind two weeks for us since we left our isolated volunteer spot on the Carribean coast. Since our departure, we´ve been able to raft down the Pacuare River, soak in the hot springs in Arenal, zip line (and tarzan swing) through the cloud forests of Monteverde, wade and drive through torrential downpours in Mal Pais, pad around in tropical forests in Manuel Antonio and swim at its beaches, and finally, accomplish as little as possible while staying at Los Suenos Resort in Playa Herradura.

Costa Rica has been an amazing experience for us. I think that the primary take-away from our time in Costa Rica will be the wild abundance of nature that this country has to offer. Though there were brief times when we felt the tico ("pura vida") lifestyle may be a bit slow (and rustic) for us, these times were consistently eclipsed by planned and unplanned moments of complete awe for our surroundings. Long drives on rocky roads that made even the toughest stomach car sick would be interrupted by two monkeys crossing the road and a macaw flying over head...pretty incredible.

Now we prepare for the next leg of our trip – building houses in Pisco, Peru. We fly to Lima tomorrow and take a bus on Saturday to Pisco where we will stay for about 12 days to build houses with an organization called Pisco Sin Fronteras.

Arenal Volcano in La Fortuna

Hot Springs at Tabacon in La Fortuna

"Cow Crossing" on way to Monteverde

Ziplining in Monteverde

Ominous, but beatiful, clouds rolling in in Mal Pais

Little roadblock leaving Mal Pais and the reason we had to take the alternate "road" through a river

Amazingly scenic back road

More of the open road

Tim and his trusty steed...drove through a little river in this - very impressive!

Ferry ride sccenery from Nicoya Peninsula to Puntarenas to continue drive south

Drive from Puntarenas southbound, passing through Jaco and cross this bridge...to see some very big crocs below

Vistas in Manuel Antonio

Quick! It´s a Sloth!

Monkey! One of about 3 dozen we saw in Manuel Antonio

Hiking in Manuel Antonio!

Sunning in Manuel Antonio!

Fancy room at Los Suenos..and our laundry drying on the balcony (keeping it classy)

View from our room

View of Los Suenos from the Marina

Haircut in Alajuela (town nearest the Int´l Airport) afternoon before we depart

Cathedral in Alajuela