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Shell's return to Costa Rica - a family's adventures!

Shell's return to Costa Rica - a family's adventures!

Old Aug 4th, 2010, 03:46 AM
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Shell's return to Costa Rica - a family's adventures!

Every year we travel to the beach with my parents, and the past couple of years we haven't had the best weather. Last year it rained nearly every day. I started thinking that for the money we spend on a beach house and for all the work involved in renting a beach house, how about if we try something new for the following year and all go to Costa Rica instead? I thought my parents would really enjoy the wildlife, especially the birds. And I knew my dad would really enjoy the outdoor adventures! I felt pretty confident I could plan a great trip for about the same cost of the rental house plus all of our expenses during a week at the beach - maybe a bit more, but we'd be spending more time in Costa Rica - so we decided to go for it! As a bit of background, this would be me and my husband's third trip to CR, my kids who are 9 and 11 had been there once before two years ago and it was my parent's first trip and they are fairly active and in their mid-sixties.

DAY 1, Wed 7/21

It was a really early morning flight. We flew out of Baltimore and we had a 6:10 am flight. We spent the night at an airport hotel and had set our alarms for 3:30 am. Our flights were all on time and our connection was in Miami. We flew on American. The kids have become such wonderful travelers! They each had their bags of distractions for the plane and I barely heard a word from them on either flight. Megan and I enjoyed looking out the window as we flew into Costa Rica. Our adventure was about to begin! Immigration was a breeze. It was nearly empty in there. We got our luggage and found our name on a sign. We hired Wilson Rojas as our driver and he had someone there with a sign who was to call him when we arrived. This gentleman took our luggage out to the curb and we waited. I will have to say we waited for what seemed like a very long time for Wilson to arrive. I was starting to doubt my choice in drivers. We'd hired Wilson on a past trip though and were very pleased, so I figured maybe he was just tied up somewhere. Megan was getting very antsy and was hungry, as to be expected. No one really had had a meal since our airport breakfast at 5 am and it was now close to 11 am CR time which was 2 hours behind our home time. Wilson finally arrived and loaded up the luggage. He said he didn't hear his phone ring when his associate called, he was at the grocery store getting snacks for our ride. But he was there now and off we went! Our first destination is Arenal so we began our journey.

We stopped for lunch at a small restaurant which happened to be right near Wilson's home. He brought his two year old son by so we could meet him. What a cute little guy! The restaurant had good food. No menu, just food brought out on platters. A wonderful view of the valley. The rain had started by this time, but the view was still beautiful. There was only maybe three tables and at one of them the women, which looked like wives and children of the owners - three generations, were making homemade cheese empanadas. The made everything from scratch from the tortillas to the filling and they were showing us how they were laying them on the banana leaves, which they just went outside and picked, so they could cook them on the leaves. After our little cooking lesson, we're back on the road.

As we get closer to La Fortuna the rain stops and the sky clears. We get to town and there's the volcano, perfectly clear. I'm so happy that my parents will at least get to see that there is a volcano here - at least once! No matter how many times I see that volcano, I still am always in awe of it! It's just amazing to me. My parents have enjoyed the ride so far and I think have found the different areas we've driven through quite interesting. We drive through town and head for Arenal Observatory Lodge. We make the turn down the bumpy road. We've been on this road several times before when we've gone to view the lava, but was it really always this bumpy or this long? Maybe it's because we're in a van instead of a 4wd? I'm thinking that I can't believe we have to ride on this every time we have to leave the hotel? I think when you plan a trip for other people you tend to feel how they will be feeling the entire time. All I'm thinking is, my mom is going to be thrilled about this road a couple of times a day! But then again, isn't that all part of the adventure? Wilson pulls into AOL and as much as I've heard that it's a more rustic lodge, I immediately love it. I haven't seen our room yet, but our check in is as smooth as can be, and the view of the volcano - it's as if you can reach out and touch it - it's so close! Our first night both my parents and also the 4 of us (husband, me and the kids) each have standard rooms. The next nights we switch to Jr Suites for the views. We get to our rooms, which are right next to each other and they're fine. Nothing fancy but big and clean. They have balcony's which have wonderful volcano views. We relax for a bit and start to come up with our plan's for the evening and our time in Arenal. I absolutely love it here!
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Old Aug 4th, 2010, 09:00 AM
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Welcome back Shell! Ooooohhh, wish I were there right now! Great report so far, keep it coming.
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Old Aug 4th, 2010, 09:31 AM
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Welcome back, Shell - I've been waiting for your report. Wow, you got lucky with the volcano! Can't wait to hear how your folks did at BdC.
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Old Aug 4th, 2010, 12:27 PM
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Day 1 continued....

We decided that while we were in Arenal we'd rent a car. We've always enjoyed having that flexibility and especially staying at AOL, we knew it would be a big benefit. This was also the first time we had a driver for the entire rest of the time. In the past we'd always rented a car and driven ourselves. We used a driver one time from Arenal to Manual Antonio just because of the length of the drive. But this trip since there were 6 of us it made sense to go with a driver due to the cost of renting a vehicle that would fit all of us plus luggage. And most importantly I think my mom would have made my husband insane with her worrying over his driving on the windy, bumpy, cliff side roads. So, for everyone's sanity it was a good choice! We chose Mapache because they were in Arenal and had good prices. They dropped off and picked up the car right at AOL. We did have to pay extra for this service, but it was better than going to thier office and doing the luggage transfer from the van to the rental and all that mess! The car was dropped off right on time and we did the paperwork right there in the parking lot. Very fast and efficient. We got some type of Nissan that sat 7 passengers and was 4wd. Including the additional insurance we paid about $480 for 4 days including the drop off and pick up of the vehicle at AOL. I'd rent from them again for sure.

We decided to head into town for dinner, and my mom got her first taste of Mr Shell's driving. She held on tight! We went to Luigi's right in La Fortuna. Always a favorite with us. The rain was coming down hard, so we didn't think we'd have any chance of seeing lava tonight. After dinner we drove back to AOL. The volcano was clearing even in the drizzle. There was quite a bit of rumbling going on, but no red.....off to be we all went. The great thing about having the parents right next door? Splitting the kids up. Megan spent the night in their room, Alex in ours....ahhhh...peace and quiet!

Our first day in Costa Rica was a huge success. Sleep came easy for everyone.
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Old Aug 4th, 2010, 01:01 PM
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Sounds fantastic so far! Looking forward to more...
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Old Aug 4th, 2010, 01:12 PM
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Sounds like a Travelsource production!!
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Old Aug 4th, 2010, 01:32 PM
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galenaguy if only I could pull of doing Travelsource for a living! You know me so well! Good to see you here!!! And it definitely was a production.....can't wait to share more!
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Old Aug 4th, 2010, 06:25 PM
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Reading and enjoying. I do hope one day to take my parents as well to Arenal. Waiting for the rest...
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Old Aug 4th, 2010, 07:45 PM
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Wow, that sounds like an amazing trip. thanks for the story.
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Old Aug 5th, 2010, 11:35 AM
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Day 2, July 22nd

We're up early. Our breakfast is included with our room rate and it's pretty good. Pancakes, eggs, fresh fruit and juices, rice and beans of course! Toast etc. The restaurant has a huge window with a wonderful volcano view and the volcano is a clear as can be.

After breakfast we wait around for the Morning Hike that is also included at AOL. It's supposed to start at 8:30, but it's approaching 9:00 and there's a pretty big group waiting and we still haven't started. It's a good time to take quite a few pictures though! There are some spider monkeys in the trees by the reception area and that keeps us busy for awhile. Finally we get started. Our guide is very quiet. He points out some things here and there and explains some about the grounds and the animals, but in general, he's just quiet. We have a large group - about 20 people I think? But it's a really nice walk. It takes us all over the AOL property and trails. We saw toucons and monkeys as well as several other birds. It was a great first hike for the kids and my parents. Much of it was on paved pathways. The hike also went down to the waterfall they have on their property. That was a bit more challenging, but not too bad. It was pretty cool down there and the kids and Mr Shell had a great time climbing on the rocks and wading in the water. The hike back up from the waterfall was a bit steep in parts, but everyone made it! We ended up at sort of a farm looking area and they took us back to the reception area on a tram type vehicle. All in all, I think it was about a 2 1/2 hour hike.

The thing that got Megan through the hike was a promise to go to the pool, so we got changed and the four of us went and cooled off there. My parents relaxed on their balcony. Volcano was still clear! Still rumbling every hour or so! The pool at AOL is nice. Big enough to play in for the kids and it was pretty quiet while we were there. I think they could maybe add a few more chairs though! There's a nice size hot tub there as well. We could only stay for about an hour since we had Sky Trek scheduled in the afternoon and we still had to change and have lunch!

We decided to have lunch at AOL and it was ok. We mainly had sandwiches and chips and salsa and everything was good, especially after the hiking and swimming! We had to eat pretty quickly before heading out for zip lining. When we booked Sky Trek the night before, all 6 of us agreed to do it. Mr Shell is incredibly afraid of heights, but zipped in Mexico so he said he'd try it. My mom said she'd do it and the rest of us couldn't wait......would we all do it when we got to Sky Trek?
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Old Aug 5th, 2010, 02:58 PM
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Oh, Shell, you're leaving us hanging! We were very pleased with AOL, our room was nicer than we expected, and the trails were great. Love reading your report - hope to read the next installment soon.
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Old Aug 6th, 2010, 05:40 AM
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Shell, that's brilliant, keep the reports coming. We're going in Jan for the first time. This is putting me in the mood.
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Old Aug 6th, 2010, 06:32 AM
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Shell, did AOL have a lunch menu that you guys could order off of, or do they have a buffet setup?

I'm imagining a family Christmas card photo with you all dangling from the zipline!
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Old Aug 6th, 2010, 08:39 AM
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vgirl - they have a menu for both lunch and dinner. Breakfast is their only buffet. The menu offered a nice variety from what I remember. Appetizers, sandwiches and burgers, and then entrees. They also had milkshakes. The entrees where somewhat expensive for lunch, but I would assume they would be a larger meal. The sandwiches were priced the way you'd find in the states.
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Old Aug 6th, 2010, 10:18 AM
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Thanks, Shell - you had me at milkshakes.
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Old Aug 6th, 2010, 10:45 AM
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Day 2 continued -

We all pile into the rental and head out on the bumpy road. The good thing is that Sky Trek is close to AOL. My mom is already talking about backing out. She's asking all kinds of questions about what it will be like. The kids and I zip lined on our last trip, but not at Sky Trek. So, even though we've done it before, we don't know exactly what this zip line will be like. We get there for our 2:00 scheduled zip and while we're filling out the paperwork, my mom and Mr Shell are watching the video in the waiting area. That's it for my mom. There's no way she's doing it. Not a chance. My dad tries to convice her that once she tries it and does the first line she'll like it, but there's no way she'll even get the gear on. Mr Shell says he could do some of them, but he sees that their longest line is nearly half a mile. He doesn't think he can do it, but he does gear up and agrees to take the tram up. My mom doesn't even hold the ticket. My son is a bit annoyed when they tell him he'll have to go tandem with a guide. He'll be 11 years old in two weeks, he tells them. He went without a guide at the other place 2 years ago, what's up with this! I tell him to stop pouting and be thrilled he gets to go at all. Better to go with a guide then be stuck half way in the middle of a half mile zip line! Suck it up! The tween years, so much fun! Megan is thrilled to go with a guide - she wants no part of being alone out there! But she's looking forward to it!

The guides get us all set, safety seems to be a huge priority, our hooks and straps and gear is checked more than once. We go to the Sky Tram and they convince my mom to ride up, and then she can take the tram back down. She paid for it after all! We're met at the top with a refreshing glass of fruit juice. We're in a group of about 15 people, which is a bit large, but there are 4 or 5 guides. We get our instructions and it's nice that we don't have to use our hands to break at all. There are two "practice" lines, which are just really short and don't give you a feel for the actual height or speed, but more for how your body feels hanging there. One girl decides this isn't for her at all. Mr Shell doesn't even do the practice line. He sees the length of the first real line, which is the 3rd longest line. He immediately takes his gear right off. He says he's un pollo grande! No way! If that's not even the longest or the highest, he's not going!

My mom and Mr Shell watched us take off on that first real line. Megan and the guide were the first to go. As I went all I could think about was how glad I was that Mr Shell didn't do this. He would so NOT have liked it! But me, I thought it was great! The lines were very fast and long. My son, Alex, he even did get to do a couple on his own afterall, which thrilled him. My dad had a blast as well. In retrospect, if Mr Shell could have conquered that first one, maybe he would have enjoyed the rest, but I don't think he would have gotten past the first one! My mom, I don't think she would have liked it one bit. So good decision for her. As we got to the last platform, it started to rain. The last platform is short and you climb down a metal staircase a bit to get to it. There was a snake on the stairs, which everyone enjoyed checking out!

I really liked Sky Trek, but wished there were more lines. We went to Los Lagos last time and there were more lines, but they weren't as long. So pros and cons of each. Also at Los Lagos they have someone go along and take pictures of your group which you can get at the end. This was really nice to have. Their pictures are so much better than the ones I could take since they can stand right up on the platform and get up close.

After ziplining the rain started to come down really hard and didn't let up. There was some really loud thunder and lightening. We ended up just eating dinner at AOL rather than drive down that bumpy road in the storm. It was a decent meal, although more expensive than I would have liked to have paid for dinner. I had curried chicken, which I liked. My parents had a steak and they didn't enjoy it. I can't remember what anyone else had, but I think they liked what they got. The power went out several times during dinner and even afterwards. After a few hours of rain, it finally stopped and once again we had a great, clear night for the volcano, but again - no lava! And as it always seems, a pretty early night to bed.
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Old Aug 6th, 2010, 01:32 PM
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Shell - enjoying your report very much, have a question on Sky Trek. When you say, "We get our instructions and it's nice that we don't have to use our hands to break at all" can you explain how you did brake at end? I did the 11 lines at Arenal Paraiso last year, supposed to use your hand with the leather glove, squeeze it and that's supposed to stop you - not in the rain! So I'm curious as to how you actually brake on Sky Trek.
Keep your report coming!
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Old Aug 6th, 2010, 01:45 PM
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ShellD - We were at Don Rufino that same evening and, you are right, it was raining really hard. The road back to Lost Iguana was flooded in a couple areas and there were trees down. It was a little scary crossing those instant rivers that formed across the roads. I was just glad I wasn't driving.

We were at sky trek the day before and 2 in our family backed out after seeing that first long zipline too. I was glad I did it, but probably wouldn't rush to it again. I'd rather spend the same amount of money on a full body massage. : )
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Old Aug 6th, 2010, 02:16 PM
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colibri - with Sky Trek, we did have a glove on our hand, but not to break. They had us lean back and lift our legs up, and spread them out, like a V. Then when you came in, there was just a bumper that you'd hit. Most people were slowed down enough that you didn't hit too hard, but there was no actual breaking with your hand. It made it really easy - nothing to do but straighen out your legs, and they'd wiggle the line when you were to do this.

javafan - I think if we had to drive back to AOL in that rain, my mom would have flipped out! That would have been it for her! I'm glad we decided to stay in that night!
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Old Aug 6th, 2010, 02:35 PM
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Thanks, Shell, totally different from the ziplines at Paraiso where they had us cross our legs and curl them up to be as small as possible, then squeeze your gloved hand and pull up towards the line to stop. I think curling up made us go even faster along with the wet lines - not great for a first time experience!
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