Costa Rica - Animals

 It finally finished raining and would not rain at all today. In Costa Rica, zoos are not legal. So, we went to an animal rehabilitation and rescue. All of the animals that you see are those which can not be returned to the wild.

The young man in the green shirt was our guide. He was a great guide.

These trees are enormous. This one is over 150 years old

All of these animals are in cages so the pictures are less than spectacular

All of these animals are native to Costa Rica but some of the animals there are seized by authorities from homes and are not native to Costa Rica.

Megan, Addison, and Emily Grace went to visit with a friend that Megan grew up with that is now living in Costa Rica

Costa Rica - Rain

 There is not much to report for today. Last night we had storms all night and heavy, heavy rain (even for Costa Rica). The locals that we talked to made comment that this is highly unusual, even in the rainy season - which begins in October. The rain stayed heavy until mid-day. We had plans for activities but the facility that we were going to closed due to severe weather.

We decided to go on an eco-tour that included animal encounters. It was about 20 miles away (about 45 minutes on these roads). We got excited about the prospect and got about 2 miles from the facility and the road was washed out and the water was dangerously deep and rapid. It was simply a no-go. We looked for an alternate route and it took us into some construction areas and then to a gravel road that was very steep - especially given the conditions. No one was in favor of making the attempt.

We did, however, get some amazing views

We got back home but the afternoon rains had come in but the girls did swim in the rain

Nana posted a picture of Fenway the good boy which made us all miss him as much as it looks like he is missing us

Megan and I to the off day to get dinner - none of the girls wanted to go with us. You have probably noticed a lot of Coke. We found the taste of the Pepsi has been altered here and Coke seems to taste pretty much the same.

Costa Rica - La Playa Grande

 I woke up this morning to the unmistakable sound of howler monkeys.  I went outside and continued to hear them but could never put an eye on them. After my shower, Megan spotted them playing just outside our house next to the observation tower. She ran to get Emily who finally got to see monkeys in the wild. The problem - she woke up so quick and went right back to bed that she wasn't even sure if it was true or real.

This morning the iguana did not show up until the afternoon so today I had someone different to eat breakfast by the pool with. Her name is Pentarra and she belongs to the caretaker of this house who lives the the house next door. She was waiting for the girls but I guess I would do - in a pinch.

After leisurely waking up, we headed to La Playa Grande. It was another beach that we had heard about. We assumed it would be similar to what we saw yesterday but perhaps a little less commercial. We were surprised to find the way there looked like this

This was a path marked beach access in a very little sign with no other traffic anywhere nearby

What awaited at the end of the short path was an exclusive beach. We saw less than 10 people during our time on the beach.

Megan and Addison went to look for a place to eat. We had seen a place within walking distance on our way in

We met Megan and Addison at a little cafe. We were the only ones there and we had a great time playing Uno and Trivial Pursuit and had the best meal that we had yet had in Costa Rica

By the time we started to head home the afternoon rain had set in. During a break in the showers (and partly in the showers) we hung out in and around the pool for a while.

 The howler monkeys howled well into the night and we tried, unsuccessfully, to catch a glimpse of them with our flashlights. There is nothing to see on this video but turn it up and you can hear the howl

Costa Rica - Tamarindo Beach

 Our first full day in Tamarindo. Emily Grace had one wish going into this trip and that was to see a monkey. We are told that they are all around us - especially the Howler Monkeys. Emily got up before any of us and we heard her out on the observation deck scanning the treetops for monkeys. She found none but Megan saw some movement in the trees and called Emily back because surely they are monkeys. 

Emily explains that these are squirrels not monkeys - the binoculars confirms 

I made pancakes and ate at the table out by the pool - I wasn't lonely but a friend joined me

We are near the beach but we are in the jungle - let there be no doubt. These are pictures around our house

We arrived in town and did a little shopping and we went to the beach

Plenty of people trying to sell things

The girls hung out on the beach and we decided to eat here

Olivia caught several crabs

Shortly after lunch the rains came and the girls went for a swim in the rain

Megan and I set out to watch the sunset on the beach but a sudden power outage shortly after we left caused us to have to return home. Megan, Addison, and Emily went into town to look around further and returned when the power was restored.