We slowly expanded to drives further in the state, doing a lot of cheap camping, hiking and enjoying nature. No matter where we travel, we always find ourselves gravitating towards nature. Middle of New York city, we find ourselves seeking Central Park. Maybe for another post, but I think it is ingrained in humans.
Let me also preface that we do not make a lot of money. But to make traveling a priority, we don't eat out, I cook most of our meals, we both drive older cars (mine is 29 years old), we have old flip cell phones that are cheap with no data plan, and no cable tv. For us $100 a month on a phone or cable bill, we would rather forego and save that $1200/year and put it towards a plane ticket.
Our first trip out of the country was short. We spent 4 days in Costa Rica. We first flew into San Juan and had a simple hotel downtown. Our concierge was helpful in locating authentic food close by so we walked to dinner. Delicious, juicy grilled meats and for dessert fried plantains and tres leches cake. I wish I had pictures of this, but we had packed lightly and this was before the big blogging days.
The next day a guide picked us up and took us on the beginning of our adventure. We stayed at a green hotel and the only way to get there is was to white water raft.
Our rafting guide was amazing! He showed us how to wedge your feet in to stay in the raft, and maneuver the paddles. It was a bit gimmicky, but after our obstacles we would all raise the paddles in high five fashion and yell "La Pura Vida." The Pure Life.
Halfway through the trip, we turned off to a little waterfall and pool and took a break for a swim. One area made for the perfect "slide" and we went down a couple of times, soaking up the water, warm weather and the sounds of the rain forest.
Finally we made it to our "green hotel". The kitchen was the only place with electricity, so after dark they only use candlelight in the whole place. It was beautiful! The screened in rooms up in the canopy truly made us feel among the birds. We were greeted with a choice of fresh pineapple or tangerine juice. After all of the rafting, it was simply heavenly.
All of the food was sent down the river everyday with fresh produce and meats in the rafts. Every meal had a variety of tropical fruits, breakfast was beans, rice and some kind of plain white cheese and eggs. To this day, because of this trip, we enjoy simple meals of beans and rice.
Dinner was always more elaborate. One evening I had the most heavenly seared ahi tuna, with a wasabi sauce. Nate had a steak with a porcini mushroom sauce. Again, I wish I would've taken pictures of this. But this trip was 7 years ago. Maybe this is a good excuse to go back?
The rooms all had teak wood floors, so we were all to remove our shoes before walking on it. As we went down to dinner, Nate shook out out shoes- and out popped a tiny scorpion! Lesson learned- shake out your shoes in the jungle!
The next day, we went horse back riding into the little village called El Tigre. We got to see their schoolhouse, and were taken to the guide's home and we ate lunch with his family.
Johanna, who was about 6, was excited to talk to me in my broken high school Spanish and showed us her dog, "Perrito".
Their family cooked us an amazing lunch. We got to see our first live toucan and sloth. We had to white water raft back out of the jungle to civilization, ending with a bus back to San Juan to fly home the next day.
The people of Costa Rica were so nice and friendly. They were very simplistic and one with nature. Their philosophy of the "La Pura Vida" has stuck with us in many aspects of our lives.
There is so much to do in this whole country: more rafting, hiking, hot springs, beaches, coffee and cocoa beans and volcanoes. We would be blessed if we ever get the opportunity to go back. And if you ever get the opportunity to go I would highly recommend it.
I think it is time to make some beans and rice for dinner.
www.pacuarelodge.com