Vacation 2005
 

Costa Rica!

http://www.janpetersondesigns.com/gr...r/IMG_1092.JPG

We took the girls to Costa Rica for a week and a half. We drove a lot of the country and must say its a magical place. The drivers are crazy but not in a road rage kind of way. Rural PA is a pretty good training ground for the roads which were winding and sometimes pretty rough and washed out but not nearly as bad as the tour books say. This link will take you to more pictures on our web page.

The government is apparently not a great burden on the people. They don't appear to regulate much outside of the environment and seem to have more than a passing fancy for property rights. Unfortunately, the tourism that is so important to their economy is based on nanny state tourists from the US and Europe. The personal responsibility having been bred out of them is starting to cause trouble in the law suit area. Apparently some British tourists who were warned against climbing Arenal volcano a while back got badly injured and won a lawsuit against (I believe) the regional government. The guy who ran the hotel we stayed at in Arenal was very upset about the increased tax levy to pay the judgement.

Tortugas!

We saw green turtles laying eggs at night in Torteguero. Got some really cool t-shirts that support the Caribbean Conservation Corporation and Sea Turtle Survival League's work saving the green turtles and other conservation causes. That whole region is not to be missed. We took a boat ride up there with our guide, Modesto. You can get there by plane but not by car. I think the boat was the right call we saw a ton of wildlife and really got a feel for the life. Modesto showed us some inland waterways and descibed the natural history of the area. He's a very interesting guy who escaped his home country of Nicaragua when the Sandinistas decided he was CIA because he worked for a US AID supported radio station and has an American wife.

Monos!

We saw all four native species of monkeys. These include Spider, Squirrel, White-Faced and Howlers.

We saw two oceans and a bunch of volcanoes in various stages. A really neat thing to watch is how the agriculture changed based on elevation. Costa Rica is blessed with consistant weather and many microclimates. The lower elevations had wirey brahma mixed cattle that could take the heat while at the higher elevations better cattle like Simental, Jerseys, and Holsteins are very comfortable.

We did a canopy cable tour which was really more about whizzing through the tree tops than actually spotting wild life. It was a big step forward for my younger daughter who was pretty scared initially, but overcame that to have a blast. Very brave!

I have a ton more in my journal but I figured a little taste might be better than the full-course meal.

Here is Modesto's website. He does fishing tours as well. The man knows his stuff.

AWESOME PICS!!! Thanks so much, Griff! Looks soooooo beautiful!!! Gorgeous! I'm there! :)

You mean you passed on Disney World just to have 10 times the fun for 1/10 the price. I guess you're not just another pretty face. Thanks for sharing your very good fortune. :thankyou:

This kind of happened in response to a Disney deal. Before doing any sperm donation I cut a deal with Pete that I'd never be required to go the any of the mouse parks. Then a while back the girls started agitprop for a Disney run. Pete organized it with Gramma but the trip fell through when the number of kids going started to expand and it started not to look like much fun. Radio Paradise ran a trip to Costa Rica contest, the girls saw monkeys and the rest is history.

My hubby and I seriously considered buying a sports bar on he beach down there and just dropping out - looks like you had a beautiful time. (And I checked out the rest of your website pics - your house is amazing - well done.)

I won't pretend my mind wasn't evaluating different areas for drop out potential. It's not ideal with the police corruption and probable tension between gringos with money and locals without but man I find it appealing. thanks for the house props!

Costa Rican FAQ
 

What does a policeman cost in Costa Rica?
My policeman cost $20 American. I believe a better negotiator could purchase a cop for much less.

What is the stupidest thing to be seen in Costa Rica?
A young man in Manuel Antonio gave the full ghetto Civic treatment to a new Mustang.

What percentage of the women in Costa Rica could be classified as hot?
Fully 90% of all Tica women are hot. The survey was thorough, scientific, and peer reviewed.

How bad are the roads in Costa Rica?
AAA recommends the Bradley Fighting Vehicle for rental drivers.

Are the monkeys dangerous?
Like bipeds everywhere, CR monkeys are a product of their environment. While murderous monkeys are rare, petty larceny is common place, with theft of unattended beach bags and hat snatching being major problems.The recently signed free trade legislation should address the economic forces related to monkey business.

FAQ cont...
 

What was the stupidest thing a tourist ever said in Costa Rica?
Seeing my Finger Lakes Bike Tour T-Shirt, a gentleman from Westchester County NY approached me. In an accent only George Pataki could love, he patiently explained to me how much more beautiful Westchester NY is than Manuel Antonio CR.

I heart ny. :rolleyes:

I was going to start a new thread, then I figured, why not just hijack Griff's? :D
Here are a few pics from my vacation last week, in Hayward Wisconsin. My 11th year going to Trail's End Resort, my husbands family's 30th or so. The only wildlife was gulls, loons, bald eagles, several different woodpeckers, squirrels, millions of chipmunks and frogs. No bears this year, tho there have been in the past. Enjoy!

rugrat and hubby on our jetski:

Rugrat in my lap as we tube behind the jetski:

Close up of me and rugrat in the tube:

Griff- I am totally jealous of your trip, I bet it is one that your family, and especially your girls will never forget. Thanks for letting me steal your limelight a little :)

My pleasure, highjack away! :biggrin: