Alan picked us up Friday around 2pm. We loaded up a few things and headed off for Manuel Antonio. It started raining shortly after getting the car for the 3 hour drive to the beach. We stopped part way through to see some crocs. People walk along a bridge to see the crocs. As Alan put it, it is kind of a dangerous tourist attraction. When a semi truck would fly past us, we literally had to hold on for dear life. The umbrellas shook- Kiera nearly lost hers to the river below the first time one flew by. Fun to see crocs in their natural habitat close up!
Sully was of course giddy bey0ond belief. “Wook Papa, wook, cacadile!” We then headed back to the car to finish our drive. When we got to Quepos we bought a few groceries and went in search of lodging. Martin remembered one place from the last time he was there 12 years ago- unfortunately it was full. They gave us a recommendation, but it too was full. We were hungry, tired, cranky, and just plain sick of traveling by this point. We landed upon a place called Coca Beach. The name was much nicer then the hotel itself. The other two hotels we stayed at on the trip were fresh and modern while this one was dingy and an OSHA nightmare to say the least. It did however have sufficient beds for us all and come morning we found out it had a great view.
Saturday morning: way too early to be awake. Another fun morning adventure with early riser Sully.
View from hotel
Some left over rain from the night before.
BBBZZZZZZZZZ.
Kiera awoke around 6:30 ready to head to the beach!
We were beach bound by 7am to hopefully miss the afternoon rain, picked up some bread at the panaderia, and headed to the national park/beach called Manuel Antonio. We paid our $10.00 admission fee with a whole slough of Spaniards and Italians and started the hike to the beach. The trail was flat and wide and was about a mile long. It was early enough in the morning that the sun wasn’t over many of the trees— I think we have all sweat enough to last us a while!
Upon reaching the beach Kiera and Sully decided to have a crab race. I think they each one 2 races:)
After the crazy waves in Guanacaste, it was nice to have a calmer beach. The beach was in the shape of a C so the brunt of the waves had died down by the time they reached shore.
$2.00 floaties = money WELL SPENT!
Sun and surf = one tired Sully. Breeze and shade = great place to nap.
Mama and daughter. We were searching for fairy and mermaid hideouts in the shells and rocks that we found.
Tio Alan and Martin enjoying their time in the shade after some shim boarding. There was crazy raccoon that kept trying to grab our food (the first time it ran off with a precious pack of Ritz crackers. We certainly didn’t bring enough food for half of it to get dragged off into the woods!) We moved all the food into one pack and put a skim board and large piece of drift wood on top to attempt to deter him… it didn’t.
Broth and Sis
Another friend at the beach
Come late afternoon we were all tired, happy, and hungry— time to trek back to the car!
An opportune time to snap a family picture. There was a German family trying to get Sully’s attention, but to no avail.
Opportune time number 2— yes, that is a guy in a speedo.
Opportune time number three— (sorry, no guy in a speedo in this one)
Bumming about the sand on his hands.
Looking for the path
He always has something to play with in his hands
Tired feet and hungry tummies— until we saw some monkeys!!! Yippee. The kids were beyond excited, freaking out really! (I think I might have been too!)
Many more monkey pictures at flickr.com/thesawinskis
Picture brought to you by Kiera
A little shadowy in the face but love this one.
Almost out of the park! The boats in the background are the “if you don’t want to get wet way”
Bummer- almost made the trek back to the car without getting wet.
Upon leaving the beach we went in search of one thing—- FOOD~! Each casado (typical plate) is generally delicious and this plate was no exception!
Driving back to the hotel (10Kilometers from the resturant we ate at) we saw a sloth on the side of the road! Crazy looking things!
Martin bought the kids a little carton of vainilla chips (chocolate chip equivalent)— we stopped for so long to admire the sloth a lot of the ice cream melted. Sully, however, thoroughly enjoyed every lick!
A portion of the hotel. A serious OSHA nightmare. Uneven steps, gaps in railings leading to huge drop offs, exposed wires… really a sight to see.
Breakfast Sunday morning. Papaya, mango, manzana, and orange juice.
Swimming and jumping with Tio. Getting ready to jump!
uno, dos, tres!!!
Go Sul, go!
Splash!
AND… we’ve got a swimmer!!!
Taking a mid morning nap with Papa. Love his arms embracing Martin’s neck.
Getting a fresh fruit smoothie before heading off to San Jose. WE stopped in Jaco for a quick beach walk and casado plate.
Alan works in the rice industry in Costa Rica. He stopped a field that was being processed. We pulled over and he gave a the rice low down. Essentially a tractor pulls the rice kernels off the plants and then the tractor fills the truck with the kernels to be brought to a factory to be processed.
Full of rice!
It was very cool to see the process!
The sun was shining so bright and it was too hot for blankets- so Mama’s hat it was.
Last winter this river spilled over it’s banks for flooded the area for miles. People’s homes and businesses were totally submerged for days. Many people died and people lost ALL of their belongings. (No, there is no such thing as home owners insurance down here.)
AND, after some crazy winter downpour, we made it back to Aserri in time to have some beans and rice and head to bed. This morning we hoped on a bus at 8am and were picked up by Laura of Grecia. We are with her family in their beautiful home. Pictures and stories to come. One week from tonight almost to the hour we will be back in the States!
