Our first big trip out of the country has ended, and boy was it amazing. Being away from your young kids that long is so refreshing and rejuvenating and so needed every now and then. Of course I missed them, but I also took a nap every day and that.was.epic.
If you haven’t heard me mention it prior to today, my husband and I took a trip to Costa Rica for our ten year anniversary. When we got married at 22 and 23, we didn’t have enough money to take a big honeymoon to Costa Rica like we dreamed, so ten years later we finally succeeded in taking that big trip.
My mother and father-in-law graciously came to Colorado to watch our three kiddos so we could get away for five glorious days to one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever seen. You can’t argue with pictures like these:
Our daily schedule looked something like…
- Wake up
- Eat
- Read poolside
- Drink cocktails
- Eat
- Nap
- Read poolside
- Drink cocktails
- Eat
- Watch a movie
- Sleep.
Repetitive? Yes. Restorative? Yes.
Ok, so we did throw a few other things in the mix. I didn’t just fly all the way to Costa Rica to sleep and eat (though it was tempting).
We stayed in northern Guanacaste at an all-inclusive resort called Casa Conde on Playa Panama. Because it was all-inclusive, we ate most of our meals there and enjoyed the pool and private beach.
But we also ventured down to Playa El Coco one day to do some shopping and swimming at the beach and eat a meal outside of our hotel.
We also went on a couple of buggy rides through the hills and along the beach, where we explored little towns and saw amazing views of the coast.
In our travels, we came across little houses without electricity, farmers, a tiny school and soccer field, fisherman on the beach using nothing but lines with hooks, monkeys in the trees, grass higher than our heads, wild horses and homes nestled in the beachside jungle completely open to the elements. It was the epitome of Costa Rica’s motto and proclaimed way of life, “Pura Vida” (Pure Life). They live with such a beautiful simplicity and utter joy and pride in their country; it’s completely infectious.
They also make really good chocolate and coffee, so there’s that.
The trip was boring in a good way, but had its fair share of fun.
Like when our tour guide got a bug the size of a nickel stuck in his ear and had to go to the hospital to get it out.
Or when the guy on the beach wouldn’t take “no habla espanol” for an answer.
Or when the monkeys in the trees scared the crap out of me because they sounded like barking dogs.
Or when there was a lizard in our room.
Or when the groundskeepers decided to wash the roofs and water starting pouring into our room on the bed where I was sitting.
Or when there was a blue crab the size of my foot in the pool and we almost stepped on it.
Or when my husband asked the bartender what kind of beer they had and he said “draft.”
Or when I joined the one lady who was doing water aerobics in the pool.
Or the sign at the hotel that read “no love scenes are allowed” (darn!).
Or when I told the couple who was on their honeymoon that they were touching too much (I blame the margaritas).
Or when we spotted an iguana peaking up from a grate on the ground right outside our room (ahhhhhhhhhhh!).
Man, vacation is the best.
A lot of people told me how great Costa Rica is for families. I definitely saw the possibilities, but likely won’t take our kids there until they are a little older and can understand and appreciate the culture and surroundings. Right now, they wouldn’t know the difference between our “beach” at the Boulder Reservoir and Guanacaste… and that’s just wrong.
One day we hope to return and explore the waterfalls, volcanoes and hot springs. I’m just too tired in this season of life to want to drive 8 hours in a van full of people in 90 degree heat and humidity to see such things. For now, I’ll take the margaritas and my book by the pool.
Pura Vida!
