costa rica | [ m a l l o c ]

December 22, 2012

We finally get a real vacation after years of staycations! Departing from San Francisco International Airport (SFO), we head off to Costa Rica via Houston, TX.

Vamos a Costa Rica!

At George W. Bush International Airport, Houston, TX.

Waiting for a Departing Flight — Waiting To Depart

Relaxing
On The Bus
Bougainvilleas in the Garden
Bougainvilleas

December 22-23, 2012

We’re just hanging out at Casa de Luz visiting with a retired NASA colleague, Brenda.

December 24, 2012 (Monday)

We’re staying at El Cafetal Inn, Santa Eulalia de Atenas. While waiting for the bus to Atenas, we witnessed a pigeon landing on a power line and getting electrocuted.

There was a ball of bright white light, a very loud explosion sound and the bird dropping from the the power line pole. It had it’s tail feathers and parts of its wings totally blown off and couldn’t fly. People came out of their homes to see what had happened. The bird was stunned for awhile but then revived enough to try and evade some kids who had come out to look. Later, a man from one of the houses came out and caught the bird and went inside his house. I don’t know what fate befell the bird

We went to Atenas and got my data card (dongle) set up. Amelia bough a pair of boots and we had lunch. Headed back to El Cafetal to fetch our things and head off to Casa de Luz. We’ll stay at Casa de Luz for some days and join with Christmas Celebrations there.

Later we went to visit at local family who work and live around Casa de Luz. It was really nice to see a Christmas Celebration in a village. Amelia made friends with a girl in the family about her age and she was able to speak in Spanish – I think her Spanish teacher would be very proud of her

December 25, 2012 (Tuesday) – Christmas Day

Hung around Casa de Luz most of the day and enjoyed the company of Albert and his son A.J. from the British Virgin Isles.

December 26, 2012 (Wednesday)

Brunch with the neighbors. Swimming pool time with my new found friend, Maria S.

We’re going swimming at a neighbors pool.

December 27, 2012

AMS is off to Atenas with her friend Maria. They both wanted to get hamburgers in town. AMS also will get a SIM card for her phone so she can make calls and send text messages. They will take the local bus and be on their own]

December 28, 2012

Went to Dona Anna Beach. Fed wild monkeys living in the trees. Ate chicharones and a great meal at Cases de Cafe on the way back. Really tired.

Cariblanca Monkey
Cloud Forest
Trees at the Beach
Wild Monkeys

December 29, 2012

Spending the day in Atenas at an Internet cafe getting caught up on our Internet fix. Planning the rest of our trip in Costa Rica.

Tomorrow we go to Alajuela and play. Tonight dinner at Don Yayo’s.

Internet Cafe in Atenas
Chicharones at Don Yayo’s

December 30, 2012

Travelling by bus from Casa de Luz to Atenas then to Alajuela and spending the rest of the trip there at Club Martino Costa Rica (dropped off at Zoo Ave). The bus leaves at 1:15 PM from Casa de Luz and goes to Atenas (420 colones). Then we transfer to another bus departing Atenas at 2:00 PM for Alajuela (640 colones). From there we’ll be able to go out on day trips in all directions and yet still be close to the airport.

December 31, 2012

Visiting Zoo Ave and checking out the rescued animals and the small canopy tour (zip line).

Zoo Ave animal rescue and rehabilitation….

January 1, 2013 – Happy New Years

We rang in the new year with fireworks and sleep. Went to Canopy San Luis and did a canopy tour (zip line). They had a very long (1,500 meter) Superman zipline.

On The Way
Tree Hugging
Poolside
Superman Zip 1500 m.
Superman Zipline
Zip me
Zipline
Zipline Costa Rica

January 2, 2013

[Today we take a quick trip into San Jose.] Walked to Barrio San Jose and had lunch at a “typico Tico” restaurant, La Princessa Marina. Very good, very typical local food.