theparkerfamily.org

Tag: Travel | Costa Rica

  • travel: el mirador pool, arenas del mar, costa rica

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    See Slideshow of the Photos on Flickr:
    travel: el mirador pool, arenas del mar, costa rica

  • travel: playitas restaurant, arenas del mar, costa rica

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    See Slideshow of the Photos on Flickr:
    travel: playitas restaurant, arenas del mar, costa rica

  • travel: manuel antonio, costa rica

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    god knows what i was thinking, but we’re going to costa rica.

    the idea started 18 months ago, when the lady sparkler and i decided we wanted to go to the Osa penninsula — a location I had worked on a lot while i was at large, unnamed conservation organization.

    but, after 9 months of talking to people who had been to Osa, we quickly decided that we were more likely to bring back both of our kids (alive) if we went somewhere else. then, after another 3 months of deciding whether or not coming back with all of our kids was a priority for us, we decided to go somewhere else.

    manuel antonio is still on the pacific side of Costa Rica, and still has access to some stunning beaches and rain forests, and is a little more family friendly. though, i should point out, the miami airport is not. stunning. or family friendly.

    but, it’s all trade offs — and the miami airport is all that stands between me an 7 days of sitting on the beach.

    See Slideshow of the Photos on Flickr:
    travel: manuel antonio, costa rica

  • last photo in Costa Rica

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    If there was one feature of the resort that sparklet loved above all others, it was the golf carts that they sped you from place to place in.

    Being simple city folk, we didn’t use them much at all — but when we did, she was giggling like a schoolgirl with the wind blowing through be hair.

  • photos: playa conchal

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    I finally got around to taking pictures of the resort on the morning we left, which just happened to be the only overcast day during our stay at the beach.

    There are days where the photos look better than the reality, and days where reality looks better than the photos. This was definitely a case of the latter.

    See Slideshow of the Photos on Flickr:
    photos: playa conchal

  • video: fireworks

    httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7iTi6jkoJ5s

  • table service

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    The hospitality in Costa Rica has been incredible.

    We’ve eaten dinner out every night, and each time the Ticos have gone out of their way for sparklet — from meals off the menu, to special accommodations, to near constant attention.

    In fact, we’re pretty sure that sparklet’s going to want to bring at least one of the waiters home. Oh, and one of the hostesses too if there’s room (the one named Katherine, appropriately enough).

    While she’s been down here, Sparklet’s developed a couple of quirks at the dinner table.

    She’ll pass objects around the table, in a very prescribed order and will forcibly intervene if (a) we mess it up, or (b) if she’s ready for the object to move in a different direction.

    During dinner, if mommy and I hold hands, she’ll pull them apart and insert her own. Then she spend a few minutes rearranging all six hands — including her own — in different orders and positions.

    And, when she’s done eating, she insists on feeding us whatever is left — even if it has already been chewed.

    It’s been a good vacation.

  • last day at the pool

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    See Slideshow of the Photos on Flickr:
    last day at the pool

  • found: one of the girls

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  • sprinklers

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    This morning, sparklet awoke to find the grounds crew experimenting with the sprinklers out front of our unit.

    Ever the willing helper, she marched out the front door, inspected the sprinklers heads, and then stood over the controls until the ground crew came over to show her the ropes.

    And then, like all good grounds keepers, she cried when the sprinklers shut off without her direct authorization.