less than 14 hours to go...

[cat_needs_coffee]

so this is most certainly my last update before the trip! everything's done but the final packing. updating my iphone now, even if I can't use the phone/internet on the trip I can at least listen to music and take pictures. I'm bringing my good camera also and a few little nice things such as incense and a travel candle. so happy!

there is no way I'm getting any sleep tonight if I have to be in the car at 4 am. argh. but tomorrow this time I'll be touching down in Costa Rica!

y'all have fun while I'm gone!

Comments

[dlightful.livejournal.com]

yay! have a wonderful time!

say hi to the monkeys for me.

(oh and bring 2 towels if it's possible because they take for-freaking-ever to dry in the tropical humidity.

[semiauto.livejournal.com]

lucky!
so jealous.
have an amazing time. i cant wait to hear about it and see photos.

[darklily66.livejournal.com]

Have fun!!! Can't wait to see the photos when you get back!

[joeychen.livejournal.com]

have a wonderful trip!! looking forward to photos and hearing about the great time you had!

Last minute stuff! Part 1 of 2

[quietdarkness.livejournal.com]

You are going to have a BLAST!

Ask for white pineapple! Be sure to ask if the places you eat serve white pineapple! You will not be sorry. If they have Lizano sauce, try some of that on your breakfast eggs.

I hope you have non aerosol bug cream with some sort of DEET, too. You are going during the dry season, which can be buggy. Believe it or not, in the rainy season, we didn't need many bugs, although we'll be sure to drag it along in May. We always do.

I tell myself that I'm never going to Costa Rica in the dry season again, but I already know that I'm probably lying to myself. I like to go during the early rainy season, though. We found out last year that it's cheaper, and the weather is nicer, and it's actually cooler.

Swear to God, it was cooler 12 degrees off the equator in June in Costa Rica than it was in good old Houston, Texas.

You'll find internet cafes to keep us updated. Their keyboards are funky though, and most of it is dial up.

Have FUN!! I cannot WAIT to find out how your trip went! If you go ever decide to go again, talk to me about it and I can offer suggestions. This next trip we booked through a Costa Rica travel company. We believe in spending our money in the country where they are combatting global warming by replanting rainforest!

At this point, I'm almost ready to write a book about the glory of Costa Rica. Probably one more trip or two (and god, I know they ARE coming eventually, if we don't just give it up here and MOVE down there, don't think we aren't looking seriously into buying real estate, because we are) and we'll be perfectly capable of writing our own guidebook with recommendations.

Eventually we might like to buy a white pineapple plantation and export it to the US. It's a recent idea, one Paul and I need to discuss further. You haven't lived until you've eaten white pineapple, especially the ones grown over on the Nicoya Penninsula.

It's a fabulous place, I have never been so in love with a country in my life. If you hear a joint bird squawk, quickly scan the skies...there is at least a pair of Amazon parrots flying.

Did you buy binoculars? If you didn't, that's OK, but next time do. They are worth their weight in gold and I can tell you which kind you want.

I am SO excited for you. PLEASE bore me with every single photo you take, with your impressions and what you saw and what you liked. And go see The La Paz Waterfall Gardens and DO stop when you see this home made sign wending your way up the slopes up Poas Volcano that says "Quetzel Watching." Stop the bus, get out of the car/bus, give the old guy with his hand made sign a buck or two, and let him find the respendent quetzels for you. You will NOT be sorry.

Also, if you end up in Sarchi, make SURE they take you to the artist's co-op. Beautiful handmade Costa Rica crafts at great prices!

Yes, the beaches are beautiful, and in Manuel Antonio National Park you can hike down the beach path and find a pristine beach all your own. It's beautiful, it's paradise. If you feel like doing a spa, check out the Spa at Si Como No Hotel right outside of the park. If they have some opening while you are there, you can get the half days works including massages, scrubs, a facial and god knows what else for $230. It lasts for hours and it is MUCH cheaper than anything you can get here in the US. I'm going to look into that possibility when I'm down there in June. Any of the Green Hotels of Costa Rica have lovely spa facilities.

And DO take that night tour. We saw frogs we didn't know existed, toads, a kinkajou, and a lowly possum just like we have here. It was very exciting.

Re: Last minute stuff! Part 2 of 2

[quietdarkness.livejournal.com]

If you have a chance, on your way down to Quepos outside of Manuel Antonio, have them stop on the Tarcoles River Bridge. If you can find a side trip to get you to that bridge right prior to dusk, even better. You will witness one of the most amazing sights I have ever seen in my life. The scarlet macaws break out of the foliage in the park and fly over to the mangrove swamps where they roost. Plus, those are biggest damn crocodiles I've ever seen lounging in the river in the bridge below.

I am SO very very exciting and happy for you. Just watch your purse because theft is the major crime you find down there. I wear a money belt and a fanny pack. DO NOT TAKE TRAVELERS CHECKS. Most places will not take them. Take cash and stash it on your person.

Keep us posted when you are down there. When you get back, I want to know where you stayed, where you ate, and what you did and how you felt about all of it. You might find me something new and different to try.

That aracari icon is not meant to be mean...it's just the only photo taken in Costa Rica that is made into an icon, aside from my default.

Oh god, and take an extra pair of sunglasses and reading glasses. I might have lost my heart to Costa Rica, but I've lost a lot of my glasses, too.

Also, if there is something you want to do, and mention it to the folks driving you around, they will detour and go do it for free. Those private car and bus drivers are very flexible in their itineraries. They will change it for a detour if you ask to see something.

Tipping! Has anyone told you about tipping? For your guide $10-$15/person a day is appropriate. Tipping 10% anywhere makes you look like a wealthy American. Also, be SURE to hang on to that there departure tax that you are going to have to fork out on departure. I seem to think it's $150, so keep that in reserve.

God, I wish I was going with you tomorrow *sob.*

Have a great time:) I already know you will.

Re: Last minute stuff! Part 2 of 2

[ineedcoffee.livejournal.com]

thank you so much for all your excellent recommendations! I will definitely keep them in mind while traveling around! I am so excited about trying white pineapple now! mmmm...

wow, seriously, thank you so much!

[dandelion5.livejournal.com]

Yay! Have a wonderful trip! You so deserve it. :)

[thirteenrocks.livejournal.com]

Have a super duper fun time.