12.16.08

We took a "Jeep Boat Jeep" tour from La Fortuna to Monteverde... except the Jeep wasn't really a Jeep: Yup, looks like a van to me... Is this a Jeep anyone? And here's the boat waiting for us...
Some landscapes. You might have to tilt your head for this one.

And another landscape. Blackbirds are hiding in the bushes.

When we arrived in Monteverde, we headed over to a butterfly garden for some great photo ops.

The "stained glass" butterfly was really hard to focus on. I was satisfied with this shot.

12.15.08

Day 2: We hiked to see Vulcan Arenal. The volcano was playing peek-a-boo with clouds and smoke, so we almost saw the volcano completely. Here it is hiding a little.

I think my Nikon takes good portraits. Do you agree? :)

The three musketeers during this part of the trip.

Quite a few people Janna and I met asked, "So how'd you girls meet?" Uh.... when did we meet? Gee, I think when I was born. Ha. It was funny explaining that she's my aunt... people thought she didn't look old enough to be my aunt!

Trish taking photos... she didn't know I was taking pictures of her :)

We found a good lookout spot for waiting patiently on our peek-a-boo playing volcano.

Here's Lake Arenal in the distance... we'll cross over that tomorrow on our way to Monteverde.

12.14.08

Before returning home for Christmas, I traveled outside the city to explore the awesome landscapes of Costa Rica... you know, the beach, the mountains, the rainforest. Ha. Here's some photos from our first day of adventuring:

Uncle Jason and Aunt Janna experienced the rainforest... literally. We hiked to a waterfall during a rain storm.

Roomie Trish, friend Tricia, and me showing off our muscles... and the waterfall :).

Wowee, it's the biggest waterfall I've seen.

Me and my camera... best friends forever.
and after a long hike, we needed a relaxing evening at the hot springs. aaaaahhhh. Janna, Kate, Trish, Tricia.

Um... Great Photos, Kate

This is what I get for travelling with my uncle....

good morning beautiful.
fresh off the zip lines. it was funner than my face says it was.

We're Still Alive!

A volcano hike, hot springs, jeep-boat-jeep travel, butterfly garden viewing, rainforest hike, and ziplining (yup, you read that correctly!), we are still alive and well. I have slept a lot too, ha, catching up on the lack of sleep that teaching brings. I have thoroughly impressed Jason and Janna with my low level of Spanish, and even managed to surprise Jason with a special birthday treat at the restaurant last night -- and I asked the waiter for it in Spanish while Jason was sitting there :). Ha, good times.

I want to post photos, but I forgot my camera cord... patience, friends! The photos will be good, I promise!

Love you! I come to the US in 5 DAYS!!!!!!!

THEY'RE HERE!!! :)

Siscoes unite! (and a Crumrine...) :)

We're leaving to travel Costa Rica in... 15 minutes, but here's a photo from last night's adventure at the ballet...

TRIP ITINERARY

Aunt Janna and Uncle Jason are headed down for 10 days to travel with me! I'm super excited!! Here's a glance at what we'll be doing... Of course, I'll have tons of photos to post after the trip, but I'm not sure if I'll have the opportunity while we're travelling.

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Friday, December 12
· J&J arrive 11:30am at Juan Santamaria
· Downtown: Plaza de la Democracia, Sojourn Academy
· Dinner feast with Trish and Kate J
· Nutcracker ballet, National Theatre, 8pm
· Bus transportation
· SLEEP: Kate’s apartment

Saturday, December 13
· Feria for fruits and veggies for trip (and a taste of Costa Rica life)
· Travel to La Fortuna with my roomie Trish and another friend Tricia

· SLEEP: Hostel: La Choza Inn

Sunday, December 14
· Ideas:
· Hike Catarata (waterfall) de La Fortuna
· Eco-Termales hot spring
· Free hot springs across road from Tabacon?
· Night viewing of Vulcan Arenal
· Eagle Tours at La Choza Inn
· SLEEP: La Choza Inn

Monday, December 15
· Ideas: see previous day
· SLEEP: La Choza Inn

Tuesday, December 16
· Tricia & Trish travel back to San Jose to catch their planes
· JEEP-BOAT-JEEP travel across Lake Fortuna to Monteverde… Kate rockin’ the camera
· SLEEP: Sleepers Sleep Cheap Hostel

Wednesday, December 17
· Ideas:
· Night Hike
· Zip Lines
· Selvatura Canopy Tour
· Day Hiking in Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve
· Coffee Tours:
· Tree Top Walk Ways or Suspension Bridges
· Horse tour
· SLEEP: Sleepers Sleep Cheap Hostel

Thursday, December 18
· Private transport to Playa Brasilito on the Pacific Coast
· Hopefully an afternoon/evening on the beach?
· SLEEP: Cabinas Diversion Tropical

Friday, December 19
BEACH!!!!!!!

IDEAS: Drink lots of water, wear lots of sunscreen, bike up the boast, lay in the sun
SLEEP: Cabinas Diversion Tropical

Saturday, December 20
· Ideas:
· Lay on the beach more
· Photos :)
· Drink lots of water and put on lots of sunscreen
· SLEEP: Cabinas Diversion Tropical

Sunday, December 21
· 5 hour bus ride to San Jose
· Dinner: Kate’s Apartment
· SLEEP: Kate’s Apartment

Monday, December 22
· Explore city, sleep, do laundry

Tuesday, December 23
· Travel home to the States, leave 5am to be at the airport