My mother (Betsey), cousin (Meghan), Aunt Judy and Aunt Janie came to visit during the start of December 2009. What an amazing visit it was! Catamaran sailing and snorkeling, walking on the beach, hot springs, playing in the water and my favorite, cocktails by the swimming pool.
I picked them up at Liberia Airport in Guanacaste early afternoon. Took them to a nearby soda for their first taste of Costa Rica and then headed to Arenal and Tabacon Hot Springs. What a treat?! We soaked in the, what felt like 200 degree waters of the springs, played on the water slide into the hot swimming pool and walked through the beautiful gardens. This something I was really happy to share with them, its such a relaxing tranquil place. After we were thoroughly cooked, we headed to the Asian themed buffet. (NOTE: I hate buffets. BUT, and big BUT, this is the classiest and tastiest (and cleanest) buffet I have ever been to.) Then off to our hotel, Arenal Lodge.
Stop at the soda near Liberia Airport.
Dinner at Tabacon.
Tabacon Hot Springs (during the day).
The next morning we returned to Tabacon to take a few pictures and purchase some goodies from the Guatemalan women across the way. Everything was "handmade by them and it took them months to do" and it only cost $60. Think thats true or were we suckers? Hmmmm...
Suckers at the Guatemalan stand.
Lake Arenal on our return trip to Tamarindo.
We then headed back to Tamarindo to check into our private villa, Villas Cerca del Mar in Langosta (managed by Horizon Pacific). Everyone was very surprised and extremely pleased to have such an amazing place to spend the week. We relaxed by the pool, drank some cocktails and took it all in.
Picture of Villa Cerca del Mar.
The following days were filled with hours of relaxing on the beach, relaxing by the pool, relaxing sunsets, "relax-fully" collecting sea shells, eating relaxing dinners and sipping relaxing cocktails...sounds rough huh?!
Here are some relaxing pictures:
Dinner at Season's by Shlomy and serenaded by local mariachi (Nana you would have loved it.).
Dinner at Dragonfly. Yum!
Dinner at Vita Bella/Bruno's, delish Lebanese food. Followed by a cramped, but hysterical and tipsy ride home in an tiny little taxi.
Collecting Sea Shells...Playa Grande, Playa Avellanas, and Playa Langosta.
We did enjoy a trip to Playa Avellanas. Mom's favorite place. We read on the beach, collected sea shells and lunch at Lola's restaurant, where it could be that my family was suckered into buying more "hand made goods".
We enjoyed multiple rousing games of Cranium. Of course Meghan and I won!
I think we all enjoyed the Blue Dolphin Catamaran, we went snorkeling, had some cocktails and enjoyed a beautiful sunset!
The hardest part for me was saying "goodbye", but better goodbye, then never having had you down here.
It was an amazing week and I'm so lucky to have these women in my life. Lucky to be able to share this with them. I know its not something that can happen every year and it means so much to me. Thank you and I love you! The pictures and the memories will last forever!
