In exactly one week, Andrew and I will be on a plane headed back to Pittsburgh. As I sit here writing this I am filled with so many mixed emotions, but mainly sadness, anxiousness, and excitement. Ironically, these are the same exact emotions I felt before quitting my job and leaving all my friends and family behind to come live here.
I honestly couldn’t feel more blessed and grateful to have had this amazing experience with my wonderful husband. We have had the opportunity of a lifetime to live, travel, and learn in such an amazing country.. and all the while doing it TOGETHER. When I came here, I was worried about making friends, finding a job, keeping busy, learning Spanish, etc. I can honestly say that I am leaving here a better person. I have learned (some) Spanish, got to work as an ESL teacher to some amazing students (which was BEYOND rewarding), and develop some wonderful friendships with people that I hope to see again. The sad reality is that most of them, I probably won’t see again. As for Costa Rica, I am sure we will come back one day, but I know it will never be the same.
Goodbyes are hard, but I am trying to think positively and focus on the future adventures Andrew and I will have together. I just can’t stop being so grateful for this experience. So to everyone who has made this experience what is was, whether I met you working at NOVA sports bar, was fortunate enough to have you as a student in my English classes, made you listen to Katy Perry on long car rides, friends and family from home who made the journey down here and I had the opportunity to show around this beautiful country, and especially for those of you who I took way too many tequila shots with, thank you for making this experience what it was for me and Andrew. We love you all.
We are off to spend one last week at the beach in Costa Rica. It will be so nice to not have to worry about Andrew rushing to his computer or packing up in 2 days and leaving again. I plan to sit, relax, and enjoy this country one more time with my sweet husband.
Puerto Viejo is Andrew’s favorite place in Costa Rica, and ever since we went last October he has been itching to get back. We finally went this past weekend with Andrew’s boss and his wife. Unfortunately we had pretty crappy weather, but still managed to have a nice time! This time we upgraded and stayed at Le Cameleon, which was really nice, despite the all white rooms creeping me out just a teensy bit.
We had heard good things about the sloth sanctuary tour so one afternoon when it was raining we drove up, but were slightly disappointed in the tour and guide’s knowledge. Regardless we got to see some sloths up and close and personal and hopefully brighten their day, as they looked so so SAD. Poor guys.
doesn’t he look soooo sad?!?
On Sunday, Andrew and I took the gecko trails day trip to Bocas Del Toro. This was something I really, really wanted to do while we were still here. It was on the list of 5 things I really wanted to do before we left CR. The whole immigration process was really next to experience and walking across the bridge with all of the locals was so neat! Bocas is about 60 islands off the coast of Panama, about a 45 min drive fro the CR/Panama border. Unfortunately the weather didn’t really cooperate and we got poured on in the boat on the way to the islands. The snorkeling was awesome, the water was so so clear and we saw lots of starfish, pretty coral, eels, barracudas, and a manta ray. However, we did have a run in with some fire coral, which was a new experience for me and hurt pretty badly! After snorkeling in the rain, we decided to forgo red frog beach and head to the main island, Colon to walk around. Of course as soon as we got to the main island the clouds parted and the sun came out. We stopped at a bar for some beers (so cheap!), we are so used to the CR prices that the 50 cent beers were a welcome break! I really would recommend going to Bocas Del Toro if you are into snorkeling and pretty, clear water. It reminded me SO much of Belize!
We had a great time with Katie & Ryan and are so glad they invited us to come with them for the weekend!
A few week’s ago, Andrew’s parents came down for a week and we had a great time. We pretty much did the same itinerary we did with my parents, Domincal –> Manuel Antonio —> Arenal. It is always so wonderful to share this country with the people we love the most. Here are some pictures from their visit!
So glad you guys came to visit! 
So sorry for the silence, things have been rather busy lately and I am trying to soak up every minute we left here in Costa Rica without worrying about getting to a computer to blog. I will try to catch up on everything that has happened in the past month this week!
A few weeks ago, Andrew and I went back to Santa Teresa and stayed at Pranamar. The resort is styled after a town in Bali, and is known for its yoga. Our rate included a yoga class per day, which I took full advantage of! I highly recommend staying here, especially if you are into doing yoga on the beach. The pool runs right through the villas like a river, and the wood details are incredible.
Most of the weekend Andrew had to work so I spent a lot of time relaxing in the pool, but when it came time for sunset Andrew had usually finished his work and we could sit on the beach and watch the beautiful sunsets.
The beach in Santa Teresa is hands down my favorite on the Pacific Coast of Costa Rica. It is so beautiful, and for the most part desserted. The sunsets there are to die for. I really didn’t take too many pictures that weekend, as I was just trying to enjoy my surroundings.
Ever since we got to Costa Rica last year we had been talking about taking a day trip to Tortuga Island — they are offered from several places like San Jose, Jaco, Puntarenas, Montezuma. When Em & Tom told us they would like to do some snorkeling we figured this would be the perfect opportunity to visit tortuga island.
We booked our tour through zuma tours, which depart from Montezuma. They had two boats going that day and both were really full. On the way to the island we came across a group of probably 30 or so spotted dolphins. At first they were trying to swim away from us, but eventually got really playful. Check out the video at the bottom of the post for one of the coolest moments we have had here in CR. Make sure you make it to the end!!
Once we got to the island we stopped at two smaller islands to do some snorkeling. We saw a ton of really pretty fish, and in large schools too. The coolest fish we saw (in my opinion) were two large angelfish, one in light blue an done in a dark blue. They were soooo pretty! I wish I had an underwater camera to take pictures, but I lost that a few years ago. We also some pufferfish, which one of the crazy guides brought to the surface for us to take pictures of. The snorkeling really exceeded our expectations, and I definitely would recommend the trip out.
After two hours of snorkeling, we went ashore for lunch on the island. Our tour with zuma included a really nice lunch and beers (until Andrew and Tom finished off the 3 coolers). The island itself is also really, really pretty but covered in a bunch of touristy crap, which takes away from the natural beauty, but it still is beautiful.
Who needs Sea World?!
