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Trip Start Jan 02, 2008

Trip End Jan 25, 2008

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Flag of Costa Rica Playa Coco, Costa Rica
Friday, January 18, 2008

So here we are, back at Rob's having met up with Michael, Ethan and Kenzie. Today is the day one year ago that my Dad died. We lit a candle last night and spoke of our memories. He is very missed and this trip is truly one of the ultimate outcomes of his passing. I am aware that over the year I have learned that the world is still beautiful without him but a little less sweet.

The past few days, Sonny and I have been traveling to MY Costa Rica. Very little English, it was good that I went to school first. I did pretty well, once again, if you try, people will meet you more than half way. When we left Playa Samara, we headed across the Nicoya Peninsula, only to discover that our map forgot to tell us there was a large mountain between one side and the other. I MEAN STRAIGHT up and then along a ridge and straight down......STRAIGHT down. I got a little twitchy as Sonny puts it but it was fantastically beautiful

View of the Valley

. I, once again will attempt putting up the photos.

Then we ended up in what we thought would be a great place to stop......not so....so onward till we found this delightful little hotel, with lovely tile and a man who had lived in Atlanta so we could easily ask our questions about the next parts of the journey. I woke up early in the morning and sat by the pool watching howler monkeys across the road.

Once Sonny got up we headed for Curu Wildlife Reserve, a privately owned place that has cabins you can rent (though it has to be months ahead of time). We will do that next time we come. Fantastic walk with capuchin monkeys, tons of iguanas and lovely butterflies. Amazing views and lots of good weeds for Sonny to explore!!!!

Then...........oy vey.......the ferry to Puntarenes..........there is a system......so they say.........one person gets out of the car and goes to the ticket booth, once the worker has given you a ticket....no signs in English........it took a bit to realize there were actually 2 lines cause cars have to load first but can't load without the ticket.......then supposedly the passanger who has gotten the drivers ticket can't ride with them onto the ferry, they have to walk on.........we cheated

Tamandua (ant eater)

. It takes about an hour from when the ferry comes in till it leaves again cause of all this confusion. However, the ferry has great food service, not necessarily great food, but it puts our system to shame. And the ride, which is probably as long as Seattle to Bainbridge takes an hour.....not a fast boat and at one point, there were some fisherman and the ferry moved around them....now where would that happen in the states!! Then all the passangers are suppose to walk off and the drivers are suppose to meet them off the ferry which makes for incredible traffic jam....we cheated again.

Then...........we were on the "International Highway" Our first big paved road in days. Oh my goodness it was horrifying. We almost got ran off the road by a truck trying to pass us while another truck was coming straight at him. HORRIFYING. However, there was a cop behind us who pulled him over and nailed him..........it made Sonny's day.

As quickly as possible we got off the main highway and back onto terrible dirt roads, but we felt safer. We went to Palo Verde National Park and encountered a cattle drive with too many cows and cowboys with switches and horses and I loved it, it was worth the price of admission.........Oh we did see some birds too but.............the cattle drive was my favorite..

Now we are back with our family and honoring my Dad today with stories and perhaps a trip to the local casino tonight!!!

Love to all of you.