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Awesome Costa Rica Tour

By : Laurie Shacknove
Trip Begins June 18, 2011
Trip Ends June 28, 2011

I learned so much about this beautiful country, not just about the wildlife, and plants, but maybe most importantly about respect and passion for where you are from. Will I come back for another Costa Rica Tour again? Already working with Adventure Life on my next trip. They have a saying in this country: Pura Vida ( Life is good). So really thats all I can say right now Pura Vida!!!!!!!!
See my photos : Awesome Costa Rica Tour

Want to go? Costa Rica Quest

I went to: Costa Rica, San Jose, Arenal, Tortuguero, Sarapiqui, Turtle Beach Lodge Hotel, Le Bergerac Hotel, Selva Verde Lodge, Xandari Resort and Spa
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June 18, 2011
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Hotel Le Bergerac

Le Bergerac Hotel, San Jose

After a nice flight to San Jose, we arrive a little tired but pretty excited to be here. To be honest I really have not studied up on where we are going and what our plan is. Probably not always the best plan, but for some reason I just felt like not having any expectation of what we are doing, etc. I am just going to be open to anything (well within reason).
The Hotel Le Bergerac is beautiful. Our room has a nice little patio off it. During our lunch in the restaurant at the hotel, the rain and thunder really started, so we opened the door to the patio, listened to the rain, and rested ( slept) as we have a early morning departure tomorrow.

June 19, 2011
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On the Road to Torteguero

Turtle Beach Lodge Hotel, Tortuguero

Picked up early this AM and nice to know there are others going with us to Torteguero. In fact, one of the people on the bus actually went to my high school and no one went there. That was a trip and so cool to compare notes on classes (we both had beach for PE). We drove until we stopped at Selva Tropical for lunch. This is a location that a lot of tours stop at for a meal. They have a butterfly area, cool gardens, and the food was pretty good as well. From there we drove to a boat dock and off we went to the lodge. Turtle Bay Lodge is the only one in the Torteguero area that is on the beach. Very cool there, ocean, black lagoon, canal, huge plants ( prehistoric), all kinds of animals. A nice walk on the beach to the black lagoon. There is a farm near the lagoon, and the cattle drink out of the ocean.

June 20, 2011
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Busy, busy day

Turtle Beach Lodge Hotel, Tortuguero

Up early this morning for a canal boat trip with our guide Carlos. He has been guiding for 31 years, and has so much passion for what he does. Learning about the plants, mammals, birds, reptiles and seeing all so close is amazing.
After a relaxing early afternoon, Melissa and I went on a canopy tour. Our boat ride took us to a little dock, and after a short walk, there was the canopy. In an effort to just go with the flow, and face my fears ( heights and suspension bridges) I got all harnessed up. The heights did not really bother me, and after the first little zip, I am hooked!!!
Tonight we went on a night time canal boat trip. Everything is sure different at night. While we did not see any Jaguars or Tapirs, we did see a snake, various birds, and some mammals. The best part was when we got to the lagoon, the boat and lights were turned off and we just hung out in the dark, in the jungle, in Costa Rica. What a moment!!!

June 21, 2011
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Sarapiqui Bound

Selva Verde Lodge, Sarapiqui

Sadly today we are leaving our new friends behind from Torteguero, but on to our next adventure. I am really facing a lot of fears on this trip, but am way okay with it.
Selva Verde Lodge is amazing. Just walking to our room we have to watch where we are going so we don't step on anything, like an Iguana, frog or anyone else that happens to be hanging out in our path.
Tonight we went for a nighttime walk through the Tirimbina Reserve, just me, Melissa and our guide Willy. We walked across the second largest suspension bridge in Costa Rica, and really I am glad it was dark, cause you know I have issues with those bridges. But it wasn't bad, and another fear faced. We saw sloths, porcupines, and a mammal with a prehensile tail that sadly I can't remember what it is called. Not to mention pit vipers, all kinds of cool spiders, frogs, the list goes on and on. It is a truly magical place.

June 22, 2011
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Another totally awesome day!!

Arenal, Costa Rica

White water rafting, woohoo!!!!! I have never done this before, and Melissa was going to go once, but broke her elbow, so a first for both of us!! If I have not said so before, going with my daughter has been a real gift, I hope we still think so at the end of this trip!
Our guides were great, again more wildlife, again such passion for country, the history, the animals, everything!!! I am thinking I may never want to go home.......
Today we also arrived in La Fortuna where the Arenal volcano is located. Our room has a view of the volcano which is constantly changing. Clear as a bell one minute and you can see the steam coming out of the volcano, blink your eyes and it is completely covered in a cloud.

June 23, 2011
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The Silencio Trail

Arenal, Costa Rica

On our way to hiking the Silencio Trail we came across another Sloth. They are pretty interesting in that they have a symbiotic relationship with butterflies. The butterflies hang out in the sloths armpits, and when the sloth deficates, about every week or two, the butterflies lay eggs in their feces. Just thought I would mention that.....
The Silencio trail is very cool, with beautiful views of valleys, lakes, the volcano and again so many different types of insects, birds, plants and mammals. I must be in better shape than I thought, because I seem to be doing quite well with all this hiking, no complaining from me, just taking it all in.
Tried to go horseback riding this afternoon, but the rains came hard, and truthfully, I have ridden horses in enough rain storms thank you very much. We will go tomorrow.

June 24, 2011
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Riding to the waterfall, and Oh.... The Spa

Xandari Resort and Spa, San Jose

Finally got on horseback this morning. My co-workers would never forgive me if I did not ride in Costa Rica. We are all horse lovers and riders where I work ( in a vet clinic ). Our ride took us to a park where a waterfall is located. 350 stairs down to the waterfall, and you know 350 back up. Not so bad, just took my time, drank lots of water and made it!!!!
Picked up from La Fortuna by Adventure Life Reps and drove to the Xandari resort and spa.
I feel like I should say that the reps for Adventure Life are spot on, when they say they are going to be there, they arrive not a minute late. The reps make sure we are checked in to our lodging, do we need the market, bank anything. This has made it possible for me to just sit back, and go with the flow, really, because usually I tend to be a bit controlling....
Arrived at the spa, and it is beyond any spa I have ever been too, and I have been to a couple. My thought was a few days to rest after all this adventure, silly me..

June 25, 2011
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Coconut Scrub..Need I say more?

Xandari Resort and Spa, San Jose

Walked down to the spa this morning after hiking to one of five waterfalls at Xandari. Konrad the spa manager is an amazing person, everyone at the spa is.
Wonderful coconut scrub, lovely mani/pedi and of course a facial.
Afternoon guided meditation and a new friend made. I really don't want to go home now. Making friends, loving this country, oh what to do, what to do?
Rain this afternoon, so just hanging out reading, relaxing, and really what else can you do after spa treatments?
Xandari has everything, hiking trails, orchid garden, little farm, spa and a fabulous restaurant.

June 26, 2011
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Just a laid back day

Xandari Resort and Spa, San Jose

A relaxing morning with a little hike and a yummy, healthy breakfast. The food here in Costa Rica is not spicy, but really flavorful. Rice and beans a staple, especially for breakfast. The fruit, Papaya, Mango, Guava, Pineapple is addicting. Not to mention Yucca and plantains, I definitely feel good about my eating here, not like I am going off the deep end food wise.
Went to the coffee plantation today which is about 20 minutes from Xandari. I love how everything is used. If the beans don't make it for coffee, then they are used as compost. Trees with fruit that birds like are planted around the coffee plants. That way the birds won't eat the coffee beans.
Back to the spa to hike around the grounds, so much to look at and take in.

June 27, 2011
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Last Full Day Here..........

Xandari Resort and Spa, San Jose

So sad, today is our last full day here. Well will make the most of it, spa day, pool time, will try not to let all the thoughts of home clutter my brain today. Just work at remaining open to what is going on now.
We went to the spa and had a holistic stretching class, very relaxing and centering. A little change in my spa plans, I did a holistic massage instead of the others planned, and so glad I did. I trusted my practitioner which is important and it allowed me to be open to the experience. I experienced a change an opening of my spirit... I am so glad I did that.
Hung out at the pool as long as I could, now off to pack, Ugh.......

June 28, 2011
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Going Home

San Jose, Costa Rica

Going home today, and I just really want to reflect on my time here.
For me, I am so glad I was able to be open to anything, physically and spiritually.
I experienced a huge change, I faced fears and am braver for it, I challenged myself in everyway and grew so much. I had a spirtual growth surge that has impacted me in ways I have yet to find out more about.
I learned so much about this beautiful country, not just about the wildlife, and plants, but maybe most importantly about respect and passion for where you are from.
Will I come back to this country again? Already working with Adventure Life on my next trip.
They have a saying in this country: Pura Vida ( Life is good). So really thats all I can say right now Pura Vida!!!!!!!!

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