Costa Rica - Day 2

Sunday September 12, 2010 – La Fortuna

Sunday morning started out early.  It was light out by 4am and I was up at 5:30am.  We went for breakfast at the hotel.  They have pancakes, sausage, poached eggs with hot sauce, corn bread, toast and fresh fruit.  

We went to the hanging bridges first.  We arrived at 7:30am when they opened and were the first ones through.  The hanging bridges were nice but slightly scary.  We started our 3 kilometer walk with very little wildlife.  About 30 minutes in we saw a large bird in the trees. Then some squirrells scurrying around.  

The views from the bridges were amazing.  The longest bridge was 98m long and the highest was 45m high. Finally about 2 hours into our hike we passed a couple with a guide walking the trail in the opposite direction.  The guide gave us the heads up that there was a group of monkeys at the next hanging bridge.  Exciting!

Luckily, the monkeys were still there when we came up to the bridge.  There was one monkey sitting on the wires for the bridges andd one on a tree just above the bridge.  We also saw a momma with a baby on her back.  Overall we saw 6 or 7 different monkeys in the trees with the closest monkey being about 20/30 feet from us.  We watched them play and eat for 20 minutes or so before we were on our way. 

It took us 2.5 hours to hike the 3 kilometers over the 6 hanging and 8 standing bridges.  So fun. 

Next we headed to the Arenal Volcano National Park.  We hiked the 4 kilometers through the national park and were able to climb around on the lava flow from the 1992 explosion.  From the top of the lava we could see the volcano in front of us and Lake Arenal (which was man-made for hydroelectricity) behind us.  

On the hike back to the car, we passed a 100year old Ceibo tree that was 40m high.  The tree was huge.

Neil almost stepped on a snake.  A little red & black striped snake.  Of course I screamed.  We also saw an armadillo on the trail and a lot of lizards. 

Next we went into town for lunch.  We ate at Luigi's Pizza.  We ordered a small pizza which ended up being a personal pan pizza.  If only we would have known.  We also did some shopping and looking around.  The trip into town was finished off with some ice cream. 

Then it was back to the hotel for a swim.  The weather was hot and muggy, so the pool felt nice and relaxing  We were able to watch the volcano smoked most of the night.  

For dinner we headed to Red Rock Steakhouse.  Neil picked the restaurant, since we had dove by it several times.  We pulled up at 6pm and there was no one else there.  The menu looked good.  Neil ordered the Red Rock Loin and I ordered the filet mignon and $ 0.50 garlic bread (yummy!).  As the server was at the table, the volcano erupted.  We saw red lava!

Dinner was excellent! The service was awesome.  The steaks were huge.  Neil's Red Rock Loin had mushroom sauce and huge shrimp on it.  All for $40!.  To top it off we got suckers with our check. 

Finally, it was back to the pool for a quick swim, then off to bed!

Costa Rica - Day 1

Saturday September 11, 2010 – Philadelphia - Charlotte - San Jose - La Fortuna

Our vacation started off on a good note.  The bag we were checking weighed exactly 50lbs.  Score! Also, we were upgraded to first class the entire way to San Jose.  Unlike when I called to see about the upgrade and was told because we were flying on points it would be an additional $300 each.  

The flight to Charlotte was uneventful.  We had a couple hour layover at Charlotte, although it was planned this way so that we would not miss our connection.  On the way to San Jose, there was a medical emergency on the plane.  A lady was in diabetic shock and started to have seizures.  Luckily there was an EMT on board and they were able to give her juices and whatnot.  She was fine by the time we landed.  We determined that these medical situations happen when Neil & I fly international together.  (Last year on the way home from Ireland the same thing happened… A guy started having seizures).  

We went through immigration at the San Jose airport.  When they scanned my passport a green circle showed up on the screen.  I was in!  When they scanned Neil’s passport a red yield sign appeared.  They did some clicking and question asking gave us both the okay.  

We picked up our rental car from Budget at the airport.  They shuttled us to the budget area off site and did a thorough inspection of the car.  Boy did our car have dents and scratches.  Then we were on our way in Costa Rica.  

The “road” in front of budget was full of potholes and mud.  Lucky thing we were only on it for a minute or two.   Leaving San Jose on the main highway we saw Ticos/Locals selling fruits and goods on the side of the road from their trucks or small stands. 

The drive from San Jose to La Fortuna takes 3-4 hours.  Once we were on the road we understood why.  Twisty roads up a mountain then back down the other side.  We are talked 180˚ turns in the road and people would pass whenever and wherever.  There were no real lines in the road but on the corners they would pass not being able to see what is coming.   

Our GPS had some issues.  It couldn’t tell that we were driving on the road.  It kept having us odd in the middle of nowhere and telling us to drive to the highlighted route.  We only got lost one time in the drive and that was because the street in town that we were on dead ended.  We were able to find the correct street by following the other cars. 

There are a lot of “Sodas” or little cafes along the drive.  All with a couple tables under a roof but they were open air.  I am not sure of the difference between sodas and restaurants yet.  

We arrived at our hotel (Hotel Magic Mountain) around 5pm and it had already started to get dark.  By 6pm it was pitch black out.  The hotel was nice.  We had a beautiful view of the Arenal Volcano from out balcony.

We went into town for some food from the Super Market.  After that I was ready for bed, but we decided for a quick swim in the pool.  There was the largest bug I have ever seen in the pool.  I am talking 4” long with a body like a cockroach and pinchers.  Neil was able to save the swim by scooping the bug out with his flipflops.  

We swam for a couple minutes before it started raining and lightening.  So it was off to bed at 7:30pm for us.  

New Bootcamp = Soreness

I went to the first day of my new Bootcamp on Wednesday.  Boy did it kick my butt.  Apparnetly, Wednesday is cardio day. We ran/skipped/shuffled/walked a mile as a warm up. Then they split us into 2 phases.  Definitly going with the easier phase 1.  We did an indian walk/jog for about 3/4 mile to the train station.  Once there we did the stairs (2 flights per side)... Up one side, across the tracks,  down the other, up that side, back across and down the first side, then 10 pushups.  We did that 10 times (or were supposed to do it 10 times... I was at like 6/7 before we stopped).  Then it was the idian walk/jog back to track for stretches. 

I wasn't too sore yesterday but am definalty feeling it this morning.  It hurts to stand and walk up stairs.  I skipped class this morning... I couldn't drag my but out of bed on 4 hours of sleep.  Today was supposed to be lower body (which is what hurts) so I am kind of glad I didn't go. Tomorrow is upper body and I plan on going.

This is it...

Tonight is our last night to pack for Costa Rica.  Out flight leaves tomorrow at 6:45am.  Holy early morning at the airport.  We land in San Jose at 1:30pm (2:30pm EST).  I am so excited and slightly stressed.  Right now our large checked luggage is about 3/4 pounds over the limit and our carry on luggage is fairly full.  There will be some rearranging tonight. 

We also have to get the house ready for us to be away (garbage, litter boxes, etc...).  I have to empty off the camera cards and charge all the batteries, pack our fun stuff into the carry on and get around all of the reservations. 

Definitely excited about this vacation! 

On the fitness note...  I signed up for a bootcamp for when we return.  I will start on Wednesday the 22nd.  The bootcamp is Mon-Fri at 6am and Sat at 7am.  I am excited about it.  It is with a group called Platoon (think military style) so I am slightly afraid also.  Should be fun though!

Labor Day and the Phillies

So Labor Day weekend is over. What a bummer. We had such nice weather all weekend.

My sister came down on Thursday to stay for the weekend. Friday she took us out to dinner at Nifty Fifty's. Such a yummy dinner and milkshake! Saturday was a day filled with errands. The kittens to an outreach event, baby shower gift buying and some salad making (Potato and Macaroni). Sunday, the In-laws came out for lunch and to watch part of the Phillies game.

Monday we decided to head out for a bike ride. I wanted to go for a 30 mile ride. We have done 30 milers before, but have always started in East Falls. I do not like riding on he street through Manyunck and then on the wooded bridges and dirt paths. So, we parked in our new spot in Conshohocken and rode out to Valley Forge. Just past Valley Forge is 10 miles but we were feeling good and kept on riding (down this huge hill) to where the trail forks. Left for Perkimon Trail and Right for the Schukyll Trail. We followed the Schukyll trail along the river until we came upon a park. There was a trail map and a lot of people looking at the map, so onward we went. The trail stopped at the street but the signs continued and pointed us for another mile or so... Until we came to an intersection with a sign that said. Schukyll River Trail - End. Ummm. Here we are at an intersection in Phoenixville looking for somewhere to get a drink and sit for a few minutes. We did emd up finding another trail - Lock/Canal trail but decided to turn around and head back at 14.8 miles. All in all it was a nice 29 plus mile bike ride on a nice day.

We really only have 4 more nights before we head to Costa Rica (and Friday we are taking Shiloh to the In-Laws) I have been doing laundry and setting items aside to pack. (Hopefully there will be no last minute shopping trip needed). My plan for tonight was to get all of our clothing around and ready to pack. However, my boss just gave us tickets to the Phillies Game for tonight. Nice! I just looked for tickets again last night and everygame is sold out. So no packing for us!

Anyways... this is a really long post on nothingness. I weighed in yesterday at 192. Yay!. I took measurements this morning since it has been a while. I am either down alittle or holding steady in each measurement.

Oh yeah. I called to sign up for the new bootcamp this morning, but got the answering machine. I will try again at afternoon break. I am hoping to start this bootcamp when we return from Costa Rica!

Travel and Family Plans

This week has not been one of my best. Today I weighed in at 193 (Yay, for another 2lbs lost). So to reach my vacation weight goal I would need to lose 8lbs in the next week. That is so not happening.

The bad news, I had been traveling 3 days this week for work and did not eat very good while on the road.

The good news, the hubby's parents are supposed to come out to our house on Sunday. They have not been to our place in at least 2.5 years (and its not like we live far -45mins). They have made plans before to come out and canceled, so we will see if they show up.

This time next week, there will only be 4 hours of work between me and Costa Rica. I am excited about going. While on the road, I was looking into places to visit and things for us to do. So far our list looks like this:

• Hanging bridges
• Canopy Tour
• Natural Hot Springs
  
• Cano Negro Tour
• Cheese Factory
• Coffee & Sugar Cane Tour
• Beach Time
• Snorkeling

We are so excited!

On the fitness front I purchased an unlimited month of bootcamp (a different bootcamp than I previously attended) for only $20!!! I am excited about having the motivation to workout in the mornings again. I plan on starting my month when I return from vacation on the 20th.