COSTA RICA, Manuel Antonio National Park (monkeys, monkeys, monkeys)

Wednesday June 16, 2010

We left early for the park to hopefully see the monkeys in action. We were not disappointed. We saw lots of monkeys, many within 1-2 feet. We also saw sloths, iguanas and a long non-poisonous snake slithering down our path. Unfortunately no one other than me brought a bathing suit, mostly due to the sunburn that we all encountered yesterday. The private beaches at the park were beautiful, uncrowded and very clean. The park provides several bathroom facilities, showers and drinking water throughout the park for only $10 per person with children under 12 free. If you come here pack a lunch, ice chest and plenty of sunscreen and make a complete day of it. The only injury of the day was when a monkey dislodged a 1.5 ft. long rotten tree branch and it fell on Madison's head. She is okay but let everyone know she was in discomfort. lol

COSTA RICA, Monteverde, Canopy Zip Line

Sunday June 13, 2010

After being canceled due to the lightning, we were finally able to enjoy the Canopy Zip Line at Selvatura Park in Monteverde. The Zip Line consists of 16 tree to tree stations over a total of 3 miles with some at heights of over 100 feet ABOVE the tree canopy. Crazy high. Scott has always had a fear of heights but managed well. Kade, on the other hand, had some serious knee knocking going on. Madison rode with a guide most of the time because she was too light. She did get to ride alone on a couple. Amber did well but like Scott kept commenting on how high they were. The Tarzan Swing was waiting for us at the end. Jumping off a very high platform and swinging out over the jungle canopy.

COSTA RICA, La Fortuna to Monteverde (Santa Elena)

Saturday June 12, 2010

We left Hotel Dorothy in La Fortuna for the jeep-boat-jeep ride to Monteverde. The ride really is a van-pontoon boat-taxi. The cost was $18 per person and only takes 2.5 hrs instead of the 8 hrs which the local bus takes to go around Lake Arenal. I have taken the local bus around before and the shorter version is much better even though more expensive. We are staying at the Vista al Golfo and the kids love it because it has bunk beds, hammocks everywhere, many free computers with internet access and beautiful views of the Cloud Forest. Scott and Amber have a double bed with bathroom for $30 a night and me and the kids have a triple room with outside shared bathroom for $30 a night. With unlimited free coffee and free breakfast this is really a great deal. We go early in the morning to do the canopy zip line.

Pictures begin with the Hotel Dorothy in La Fortuna and go in sequence from our jeep-boat-jeep trip to the Cabinas Vista al Golfo in Santa Elena (Monteverde)

COSTA RICA, Whitewater Rafting

Friday June 11, 2010

Today we went whitewater rafting. Hope to post pictures and more info after we get to Monteverde later today. We are going by jeep-boat-jeep, which means a taxi to Lake Arenal, then a ferry (pontoon boat) across the lake and then picked up by another taxi on the other side. A total of 2.5 hrs. Somewhat better than the 7-8 hr local bus around the lake.  

COSTA RICA, La Fortuna Waterfall and Baldi Hot Springs

 Thursday June 10, 2010

The La Fortuna Waterfall is one of the highlights of the area at 70 meters (224 feet). We took a taxi, after a little negotiation, to the waterfall which was about 3 miles away. The walk from the entrance to the waterfall was pretty steep but had concrete steps and railings. Unfortunately the steep 20 minutes downhill would turn into a steep 30 minute climb. lol  The waterfall was spectacular and there were a few people swimming in the icy water. After a little reluctance, everyone finally took the plunge.   I got everyone to agree to walk back from the waterfall to the hotel to save the $6 taxi fare and experience the walk. It took a little over an hour to walk back to the hotel and luckily it was all downhill. Wonderful experience, especially since it began to rain as we started back to the hotel and rained continuously for the entire hike. We, of course, forgot our rain gear and umbrellas but we laughed and enjoyed the experience. I have always heard that you can get only so wet. Not really sure about that saying now though.

 After getting back to the hotel, we got dry and then made plans to go to Baldi Hot Springs to enjoy the 25 hot spring pools, numerous water slides and buffet. At $22 a person for the entire day plus a dinner buffet it seemed like a good way to end the day. If we had not forced the kids to leave they would have tried to spend the night there. The water slides were just too much fun.

For those who wonder why I post prices a lot, the reason is two-fold. First, to show that you can travel inexpensively and still have a great time and secondly, I plan on taking guided tours to various locations and want to give people an idea of the expenses.

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COSTA RICA, Family

June 9, 2010

We left BR at 3 am to go to the airport in NO. Luckily Jon agreed to take us to the airport. Our flight to San Jose, Costa Rica left at 6 am and after a 45 minute layover in Miami, arrived in San Jose at 11:30 am. Refusing to pay $25 for a cab to San Jose costs us an extra 1.5 hrs on the local bus. Due to improper planning by me mostly but that's part of backpacking. After getting on the local bus, we had about 4 hrs until we reached La Fortuna,   No air conditioning on the bus but windows down, cool rain outside and beautiful mountain scenery made the trip enjoyable. Kids slept some as we were all exhausted. The budget hotel was only a couple of blocks from downtown La Fortuna in a quiet neighborhood. A double room with private bath and triple room with private bath for only $50 total for both rooms a night. After checking in we headed out for our fist real meal of the day. ( Whopper at Airport Burger King was $8 by itself which we declined)

Seeing the lava flow at Arenal Volcano was one of the sights we came to La Fortuna to see. We hired a minivan to take us to the best location to view the lava. The top of the mountain is best viewed at night and when there is rain. There was a slight drizzle when the van picked us up and drove the 15 miles to the viewing spot. There were  other tour buses and vans but our guide took us to the best local spot which only had one other local van. We were rewarded with an hour of beautiful sights and sounds from the volcano. Red hot molten lava flowing down the mountain and the occasional rumbling of the volcanic gases releasing from the top. Back to the hotel at 8:30 pm and everyone exhausted.

Pictures include Kade and Madison at the NO airport waiting for there FIRST airplane experience, riding the local bus from San Jose to La Fortuna, eating their first typical Costa Rican meal (chicken, rice, beans, plantains and pasta salad) from a soda  (local family restaurant) and Arenal Volcano.

CHINA, Beijing

September 4, 2008

I landed in Beijing around 2 pm on September 3rd. The trip involved avoiding evacuation traffic from south Louisiana while on my way to Houston, a 6:30 am flight from Houston to Newark which was 3.5 hrs long, a 1 hr change of planes in Newark, a 13 hr flight from Newark direct to Beijing and which included flying directly over the North Pole. But considering that it was a free trip using my air miles, it was a great trip.

I was very exhausted since I am unable to sleep on the plane. About 9 pm I finally gave up and went to bed. I heard several people in the dorm getting up and leaving the room and looked at my clock and it was 11:00. How could I have slept so long??? I jumped up, took a shower, changed clothes and headed down stairs. It seemed dark to be 11:30 am and it was. It seems I had only slept 2 hrs and the people in the dorm were going out drinking. This is not the last stupid thing I will do on this trip but may be the last I share. We'll see.

I got up at 7 am. Seriously this time. I went to Behai Park, Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City. I have lots of pictures which I will upload later tonight.

These are a few pictures of my hostel, Sitting on City Walls Courtyard House, which is in a hutong. A hutong is a small alleyway which houses many of Beijing's older residents.

Hope everyone is doing fine after Hurricane Gustav. Also, email every now and then so I will know what is going on.