This week's travel recap: Guanacaste, Flamingo Beach, Costa Rica

Thanks to 2 of Zach's friends from Pennsylvania, we were delighted to go to Costa Rica to celebrate their beautiful wedding!  Zach was a groomsmen for Dean, who is a long time high school best friend.  So thrilled they chose the location they did because it was gorgeous!
I got clearance from my boss to miss the first week of school before the kiddos came back which is a teacher training/prep week.  Thank you Susan!  :)  Zach and I decided to make a big trip out of the wedding, rather than just go for a long weekend.  Definitely the right choice.
We arrived to a tiny airport in Guanacaste that more so resembled a warehouse.  We took a 2 hour van ride to our destination in the secluded, quiet Flamingo Beach.  The ride there was incredible.  It was such an untouched country.  Zach and I  ooooo and aaaaahhed over the jungley villages we were going through.  It had a feel of the old days before technology made everything so modern because of the open buses full of school children in uniforms, cattle crossing the road making a traffic jam- truly, the cattle added a good 30 minutes to our drive in because they freely roamed and decided a good stopping point was in the middle of the one lane road through the city.  The businesses were not big buildings, rather they were shacks propped on the sides of the roads selling fruit, old books, etc.  And behind the people on bikes, the shack homes and businesses, the open aired schools, was the scenery of endless green jungles full of wildlife-some that I had never even seen before.

We arrived to a misty Costa Rican day.  It didn't stop us from quickly unpacking and setting out to hike around the area and find the local restaurants, dive shops, and hotels/bars.  We were especially in search of the dive shop because we had decided that here, knowing we were going to dive anyways, we wanted to get our Advanced Diver Certification.  It would be 3 days of diving where we would be taught/tested on new skills.  We found the shop and purchased our book for studying- a vacay with tests?! Yep, but worth it. 

The umbrellas turned out to be a must in this rainforest setting

So, the adventures we had!....

Adventure #1:One of the most memorable things we did was a trip to Arenal Volcano. 

We were SET on doing this.  In fact, a big reason why we wanted to stay longer in the country was to take advantage of this still active volcano.  The long bus ride there was so worth it.  Along the way, the tour bus stopped at a neat little restaurant where we could choose from a couple set dishes.  The tropical food was tasty and filled us with enough energy to head on to the volcano!

There were a few stops before we arrived to the volcano.  First, the side of the road stop allowing us to take advantage of the amazing, expansive views.  Also, a jungle tour and an unexpected stop because there were a few trees that were full of howler monkeys.  I know this is a common scene in a rainforest setting, but it was still thrilling to all of us tourists!  We got out and took pictures.  That was one thing I loved about this trip, there was truly wildlife all over.  From the ocean life (which we'll get to) to the rainforest creatures.

Near the Arenal Volcano

Howler monkeys on the side of the road

The jungle tour was amazing.  We doused ourselves in bug spray before heading off to ward off unwanted diseases from unknown (to us) bugs.  Our guide pointed out native flowers, discussed possible wildlife we'd see, including deadly Snakes---NO THANK YOU!, and brought us to an aborigine tribe-The Maleku tribe who "What'dya know?  They are surprisingly here today.  They are friendly and will welcome you in.  Be sure to show respect as they are not accustomed to the modern style."  :)  It was obviosuly very planned for them to be there during our tour, but still, pretty interesting.  They told us about their tribe and how they lived as well as taught us some words in their native tongue.  They showed us different tools, music, and utensils they use.  Though we knew it was staged, it still had an authentic and exciting feel to it.  During the tour, it began raining-very appropriate- so we put on our rain jackets and got to experience the true rain forest.  I thought it was very informative, beautiful, and relaxing.  I loved this part of the trip!

The Maleku Tribe's living quarters

Members of the tribe

This gorgeous tree was hundreds of years old

Rain jackets during the downpour

But now, the reason we came on the tour:  heading to the Arenal Volcano where there are many natural hot springs.  Some made into part of this breathtaking hotel sitting just at the base of the Volcano.  Here, the staff made it feel very spa like with elaborate changing rooms and fluffy robes and slippers.  Some of the springs were tucked away in a world of their own.  Some beginning at one point, and dropping like a waterfall into another that then snaked their way through the forests.  They were very hidden and private.  Completely relaxing.  There were a few that were a bit more energetic.  These ones had falls that could be ridden down and were crowded with people.  Zach and I made sure to sit in just about all of them and we appreciated the feel of each of them for what they provided.  What really just topped this off was looking ahead and watching the volcano.  It's very surreal to be at the base and a little exciting knowing it's still active.  Unfortunately for that night, since it rained, we were unable to see it erupt.  This is a phenomenon that can be viewed on clear nights-but it does happen all the time.  Although we missed that, we still felt like we got an incredible experience from it.  A delicious five star dinner wrapped the night up.  The hotel restaurant was open aired allowing the views to be enjoyed.  We felt in another world watching the mist gather at the top of the volcano and the green trees surround it all the way down. We dined with a family that had come up for the wedding and really enjoyed ourselves alot!  :)

Looking out towards the volcano

The volcano top is covered by the eerie mist

Adventure #2:  Costa Rican Diving

Our diving group

Zach and I signed up to get our advanced diver certification.  This meant 3 days diving to enjoy but also learn and be tested on new skills.  Basically, this certification allows divers to go deeper as well as learn to navigate underwater easier.  HAHA!  Try teaching ME how to navigate UNDERWATER when I can barely navigate on land! :)  Buttt, I sure attempted.  The class and learning part was completely integrated into our fun diving so it wasn't really like we were missing the diving at all.  We had a blast in the waters.  We were looking for whale sharks...crossing our fingers we'd see one.  But no such luck on this trip.  However, we could hear whales underwater.  They were close enough to hear them, but far enough we couldn't see them. 

One of the greatest parts of diving is the groups we meet.  The people are from all over the world and are usually pretty interesting.  We loved the group we were with on this one.  Ummmm....except not so much the guy above Zach.  :)  He wasn't a very experienced diver...no, more so not a very thoughtful diver.  He continuously was kicking my mask and regulator with his fins and even knocked it out of my mouth once.  I was constantly moving away from him, only to be cornered by him again and again. 

We did a cave, which was new for the 2 of us.  It was amazing.  It was a bit intimidating at first squeezing through tight spaces to enter the cave making sure not to touch the edges so we wouldn't cut ourselves.  Once we were in though it was surreal.  Looking up was just a towering rock full of gorgeous underwater life.  It was an experience that I loved.

Cave diving

Hannah, our dive instructor.  She was awesome!!

Zach is striking a pose! :)

Here is some of what we saw:

We did receive our certification! :)  With it, we have now gone down about 140 ft.  Things aren't much different lower, just less colorful (appearing).  We haven't gotten any better at navigating!  Haha.  So, I guess that means we will always be sticking near our instructor.  We are much more confident underwater though and aware.  We've been able to get ourselves out of some sticky situations! 

Adventure #3:  Storm watching

One of my very favorite memories from this trip was a fierce storm that rolled in slowly and quickly became intense and peaceful all at once.  The whole wedding party was staying at a beautiful hotel on the beach.  It was all inclusive, but the good kind.  You know, the kind with actual yummy food and drinks that aren't watered down.  It had a 2 story eating area.  Both were open air.  At night, the upstairs was more bar like.  Not many people came here.  After dinner one night, Zach and I went upstairs to sit on the luxrious cushion couches and enjoy a tropical cocktail.  While in conversation, this colorful storm rolled in.  It was the full package, crashing thunder, flashes of lightning illuminating the endless ocean right across the dirt street.  The rain fiercely poured down creating the most magical sound.  It was such a moment of tranquility.  It enhanced our already perfect moment.  The picture of that storm is imprinted in my mind.  When I need to relax, I try to take myself back to that exact scenario. 



This is the open aired hut before the storm



Adventure #4: Exploring the peaceful, scenic Guanacaste

From the moment we walked into the airport to the moment we left the country, we were taking in the scenery.  It was so unspoiled.  Our beach was very secluded and we spent many afternoons walking along guessing property value on the mansions lining the beach.  We also climbed rocks to watch the sunset multiple nights.  It was perfect.

These were just a few of the shots of the magnificent setting surrounding us.  We could stay forever.
Adventure #4:  Hanging with the wedding crew/the wedding
Emily and Dean had a wonderful group of people.  We had a blast spending the nights dancing away, until everyone was literally drenched in sweat, I'm talking obvious spots on clothing, including the not normal spots to see soaked through.  It was a blast though!   There wasn't a person who wasn't participating!  Everyone made up silly dances, especially Neil.  :) 
One night, the whole wedding crew and some of the young family members decided to all go to a local bar.  We would be driven there by the daytime bar tender at our hotel.  There was a group of about 10 of us going.  We were really looking forward to it.  There was loud chatter in our cramped van the whole way....until we realized we had been driving for quite awhile and were in the middle of literally no where!  There was not anything around us.  We were a bit nervous, but also comforted by the fact that there were so many of us.  We actually made it to the bar though and were very obviously the only non-Costa Ricans there.  We took over their dance floor in the most foolish of ways.  The locals scooted to the outskirts and mocked our crew the whole time.  But, what can we say- we were having a blast!  Until, one of our group began feeling the nauseating effects of food poison.  He spent the better part of an hour locked in the filthy bathrooms letting go of everything he had eaten for the past couple days.  Our driver was amazing though and rounded us up to take Rob home.  We had fun mingling at a local spot.  The night ended with us flooding the deserted Casino in our hotel.  :)

Driver/bartender and Dean

Zach and Neil....yummy?  :)

The Bride, her family, and me!



The guys also went deep sea fishing and were actually quite successful! Here's what the caught:


We had the best time at their wedding.  It was a beautiful ceremony and an incredible reception.  There wasn't a dry person in the place with all the dancing going on.  Everyone from 5-95 was dancing and sweating.  It was a blast.  We have decided it was probably the best wedding we've been to. 

Rehearsal night

Dean and Zach

Liz- such a sweet girl!

So inappropriate to put up, but toally shows the idea of the sweat factor! :)

Love and beauty!

Hubby and I wedding night

Drenched guys after dancing the night away

Us with the Bride and Groom--see what I'm talking about with the sweat!