Our week long trip to Costa Rica was one we will be talking about until we are old and gray. It was absolutely perfect. We saw such cool things, animals, volcanos etc. The kids had a blast hanging out with their Thomas cousins and new friends Leo, little Xav and Felix. And we just generally unplugged from our regular lives and enjoyed being with each other in paradise.
The trip started EARLY. Our flight left at 5:30 a.m., so our alarms went off at 2:45 a.m. The kids had no trouble with the early wake up call. All I had to do was gently shake Finn and remind him we were leaving for Costa Rica, and he shot out of bed, woke up his sisters and they were all ready to go before Joe and I were finished with our showers.
Kids = excited. Joe = wishing for more sleep. We flew to Houston and then met up with Thomas' for the flight into San Jose.
Our home for 4 days in Arenal. It was at the top of this enormous hill with a view of the volcano in the distance. Getting there was slow and precarious. They were not joking when they insisted we rent a 4-wheel drive. The roads are rocky and full of holes. We could only go about 20 miles per hour towards the end. And we arrived in the pitch dark only to make the incredibly steep drive straight up to our abode. But it was so worth it.
The kids absolutely loving life. There was also a pool to their left.
The volcano in the distance.
Our first full day, we went to Arenal state park for some hiking. We completed a 3 hour hike and saw snakes, cool trees and frogs and learned more about the rain forest. The leader was a bit wary to take so many kids on this hike and tried to talk us into a shorter route, but we insisted they could make it. And they did. They ran across the finish line while the adults were catching their breath in the rear.
A friendly butterfly visited us at lunch.
The hike consisted of 3 different cloud bridges. They were so far up and offered amazing views of the rain forest.
Cool tree
Poisonous snake
Kids checking out a waterfall
Each morning the owners of the airbnb provided an amazing breakfast for all the visitors. This was by far the best food we had in Costa Rica. The fruit was so fresh. We had pancakes and breakfast burritos. And one day, we were even treated to a double rainbow.
The pet toucan, Dorito, who ate at the lodge each morning with us
Then next day we went to a fancy hot spring. The water was amazingly warm. The kids spent at least an hour taking turns going down this crazy fast stone slide. And then we relaxed and had lunch at the swim up bar.
Paradise!
The resort also had a animal refuge. Mainly failed pet experiments who now couldn't be released into the wild. Who thought it would be smart to have a pet alligator, I don't know.
Kids chilling with a toucan
Lots of pet monkeys
And even some cats.
That night we went on a hike to check out frogs. A few were poisonous.
