Friday, August 22, 2008

BETTER highlights of Costa Rica



I can't believe I have already been home more than a week from Costa Rica...as I mentioned in my previous post...it was the BEST! Honestly, of ALL the vacations I have taken...this one was one of the most relaxing. Usually when I get home from a vacation I'm a bit pooped...but I can tell you this one did not wear me out. I would go there tomorrow if someone wanted to...hmmmm...think I may have to start working on hubbin for another trip there with him OR the girls, again.

I promised you I would post more pictures of the trip once the girls sent me theirs...well...needless to say...THEY are much better photographers than me. Our sweet daughter; Jackie, worked with our equally sweet daughter-in-law; Emily, while we were there on her photography skills. Her dad got a new camera a while back so he has let Emily use his older model (which by the way kicks my camera's butt) and she has been anxious to learn all about apertures and settings. So, Jackie helped her out...and as you will see she was a great student...Jackie gave her an A+.

Some of these are Jackie's photos and some are Emily's...none are mine...that's why they are so GOOD! Please enjoy!!
The girls guiding their boat on the white water rafting trip...they were the stronger and BRAVER ones!!










Beautiful beaches, driftwood along the shorelines, rainbows and sunsets...and a colorful Tuscan along the white water rafting tour.





















Butterfly near hot springs in Tabbaccon












Arenal Volcano...most active volcano in Cost Ricca...it was gorgeous along with the lake that surrounds it.














The beautiful sights from our hotel in San Jose, Costa Rica on an old coffee plantation...gorgeous setting. Love the vibrancy of all the flowers and foliage.










This next group of pictures is from the rain forest where we went on a gondola ride some 200 meters above the rain forest and proceeded to zip line down to the rain forest floor...YES!!...we swung over the tree tops like monkeys...well, except we had on helmets and harnesses...but hey we were really zipping along. I didn't have a speedometer on me at the time...but all I know is...we were trucking! My daughter in law is the first zip liner you see...the last "zipper" is me...I am actually smiling...I don't know if I was really smiling or if my lips were stuck that way from going so fast...never the less...it was FUN...and ordinarily I'm a big chicken!!



WEEEEEEEEE!!!! Exhilarating!!!





Again...boring you I am sure...but this was one fab vacation. I was afraid we would never be able to "top" our Alaskan adventure...but I have to say...even though I am not much of a beach bunny (not that I don't LOVE beaches...it's because of my painfully WHITE skin, I burn way too easily, even with sunscreen!! I could sure learn to become one, however...especially in Cost Rica...the people, the sights, the food, the vegetation...ALL of it was spectacular...I can't wait to go again!!


14 comments:

Lavender Chick said...

Unbelievable photographs! I felt like I was looking at National Geographic on-line!

Glad you had such a relaxing vacation and came home feeling rested. I know what you mean about some vacations exhausting you. There's always been something wrong with feeling like you need a vacation after you've been on vacation...

Justabeachkat said...

Wonderful photos!!! One day when I'm a big girl (lol), I hope to be able to take great photos too. Seriously those are incredible. Okay, now I want to go to Costa Rica, like tomorrow. I'm so proud of you for doing the zip line. I was just telling my husband two weeks ago or so that I'd love to try it. You didn't bore me at all. I'd love to see more photos.

Happy Friday!

Hugs!
Kat

Terri Steffes said...

Those are the most amazing vacation pictures I have ever seen! WOW! I have never even thought of going to Costa Rica, but I sure do want to now!

tea time and roses said...

Hello Teresa!

Your photos are absolutely incredible...just beautiful! What a lovely vacation! I would love to visit Costa Rica, it sounds wonderful and so beautiful!

Smiles...

Beverly

Anonymous said...

Those pictures were really amazing total proof of the good time you had. Good for you for doing the zip line. I know I could never do that...that really did look like a smile on your face. Now I'm wondering who took the picture
Thank you for sharing.
Have a lovely day
Judi

Lallee said...

I'm glad you had such a wonderful time and got to share the trip with family. I loved seeing all the great photos~wasn't bored a bit!

Susie Q said...

Gorgeous photos! Truly amazing. Tour book worthy!

I am so glad you had such a wonderful time. I have really missed you!

Go T on that zip line!

I would love to see even more! Can't bore us with such fantastic photos and stories! We love it!

Love,
Sue

Unknown said...

Beautiful photos!! It looks like you all had a wonderful time. I've never been there but just loking at these wonderful photos makes me want to pack my bags and go. Glad you had fun and made it home safe and sound!

Tonja said...

Oh, my friend, that looks like paradise! I never knew Costa Rica was so beautiful! I just know you had the time of your life! I would not have even bothered to take a camera with those 2 pros along! The pics are amazing! Have you begun to build a scrapbook yet? You must get it all written down before you forget. Not that I think you would forget, or anything...I mean I am sure your memory is much better than mine! Maybe I better hush before I get in too much trouble!
I would be so proud of myself if I had done the zip line...so you should, too. I'm proud to just KNOW someone who went down a zip line! And, you have a great picture to prove it! You go girl!

Sandi McBride said...

So glad to see you back again...and the pictures are great..don't tell me you were on the rope road from hell? If so, you have more guts than I do!
hugs
Sandi

Karol said...

Oh my goodness!!!! Just simply beautiful photos and I could truly tell the beauty through them... I feel you with the white skin problem too! I'm always under the palm tree, haha!

Julie said...

A friend at work just returned from a trip to Costa Rica and between the 2 of you - I have decided this is where I want to go next! I don't even think you have to have a passport - huh?

Rhoda @ Southern Hospitality said...

Hi, Teresa, thanks for stopping by & for all the compliments on my old kitchen. It was a beauty!

What a fun trip you 3 must have had! The pics are fabulous & I don't think I've ever seen Costa Rica up close & personal. Looks great. Last time I checked in with you, you were starting to build a new house. Wondering what the progress is on that?

Rhoda

Debra from Bungalow said...

Your pictures are just gorgeous....makes me want to go there! How brave are you on that zip line....go girl. It looks like a wonderful vacation for you guys.

I got the package & posted about it. Thank you so much. I'm sure it will be a comfort to me...it already is.
Hugs, DebraK