I can’t begin to express how relaxing, rejuvinating and peaceful last week’s trip to Costa Rica was. If ever two people needed a vacation, it was us. Between the mornings of sleeping in and the nights drinking ginger ale at the bar with family and friends; the walks on the beach and reading an entire novel in a hammock in a breezy 80 degrees….I could feel the tension slipping away by the minute.
By day number 3, I remarked to CandyMan that I felt more like myself than I had in a long time. Being weighed down with stresses and anxieties and responsibilities has robbed me of some of the most basic parts of who I am. Instead of thriving, I manage. Not all is bad. I smile every day. I still feel incredibly blessed. But I haven’t felt like myself in a long time.
Surrounded by Paradise, no longer the Mom-who-must-hold-everything-together (if only temporarily), I not only decompressed. I bloomed.
On our first full day in Costa Rica, my mother in law and I jumped on a bus with three of the bride’s friends and drove and hour and a half to Palo Verde National Park. There, in addition to a very yummy local lunch, we got to take a boat ride down the Río Tempisque and view wildlife, including iguanas, bats, the famed Jesus Christ lizard, monkeys with big balls, and multiple crocodiles only a few feet away. Yikes!
And that was just before dinner…
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Ahem. No, that’s not my husband. What’s funny is I was sure I would have posted that picture, but when I went back to look thru all of my posts, it didn’t make it online. LOL!
Okay unless the orangutan is your husband lounging?? Where’s the one you mentioned on my post!!!
Random fact about me: I LOVE lizards!! I won’t touch them, but I think they’re amazing…
Why is it called a Jesus Christ lizard? I have a guess, but I’m 99% sure I’m wrong.
sometimes we just need to get away for a break. Your pictures look wonderful so glad you had a great time
oh how sweet! nice place for a vaca!
That sounds absolutely amazing! Boy could I use a vacation like that.. but it would probably be more fun if I wasn’t pregnant. :o)
The only way it could have been better is if we had taken a cruise ship to get there. Next time! :) Did you hear about my ankle? I forget if I left you a message this morning. I sprained my right ankle this morning. Can you believe it??
I felt that same way on day 3! I even said to my husband that I wouldn’t mind packing up and moving there after Christmas. :)
Yes, I think it’s way too easy to get lost like that, especially for women.
Yes, not being eaten by anything is a definite plus. :)
Hawaii it is! You’ve sold me!
Monkey balls, seriously?! Amazing pictures, I forgot you were taking this trip right now! How incredible!!!
Loved these photos, so pretty. It took me one trip to CR to feel like I could move there and spend the rest of my life… ahhhhhh…
What amazing photos! I know what you mean about nothing feeling like yourself. It’s easy to get lost in taking care of everyone else, isn’t it?
Lolli the pictures are lovely (you have such a gift my friend) but the sentiment is beauty. So glad you enjoyed.. and well.. didn’t get eaten by anything :)
Well, I’m glad about that. That was one thing we mentioned that we loved about moving out to Hawaii. No gators or crocs. We used to go to Florida, and that kind of hung in your mind a bit. Looking for crabs, lose your leg to a gator.
Ah Hawaii… no gators, no crocs and no snakes. Seriously, no snakes. Can you believe that? My wife will never call another place home but Hawaii for that reason alone.
Loved the pics!
David
http://www.AlohaHowdy.com
So am I. The only sad thing is that I can’t go back next week. ;)
No worries–I was safely inside the boat and felt more like I was riding a Disneyland attraction than truly being a few feet away from a deadly predator. LOL
No, not beautiful. But worth a chuckle, for sure! ;)
Beautiful pics. Love what you had to say about the tension slipping away, minute by minute. But I think my tension would have risen ever so slightly at the sight of Photos #5 and #6… the crocodile.
David
Amazing photos! Yeah, that monkey is impressive! Glad you enjoyed yourself.
Wow what a beautiful place you lucky lady! Glad you got to relax and enjoy your trip.
Wow you lucky lady, I need a trip to paradise! Glad you go to enjoy your self and relax.
Looks like you had an amazing trip!! The pics are beautiful too!! Although I’m not sure I’d call the monkey pic beautiful!
Thanks! I had to include the monkey picture because, well, it was just too entertaining. I didn’t even need a zoom to catch those suckers.
gorgeous pics! i’m so glad you had such an amazing time.
p.s…i am cracking up from that monkey pic!