“To travel is to live.” - Hans Christian

Star Gazing in Costa Rica

2018-01-15T06:57:00.001-05:00

The night sky is brilliant in Costa Rica.

We were able to capture a few shooting stars in the picture.

2017-04-05T09:35:00.000-04:00

Some of the beauty in Costa Rica.

Amazing capture of 2 toucans

2017-04-01T19:31:00.000-04:00

In the mornings and afternoon we enjoy sitting out on the porch watching all the birds that come to the trees surrounding the house. We try to identify them and take pictures.

The Toucan's are regular visitors to Villa Toucan ( hence the name). We get both the keel billed and the Chestnut billed and have taken pictures of both. I noticed one day a pair together on a tree beak to beak, which I have never seen. A few days later we are sitting there and 2 Chestnut billed Toucans fly into the tree right next to the porch. I ask George to take a pic of the pair.

The one on the left has a broken beak - The one on the right a berry

While editing the pictures I realized what we just saw. The one Toucan had a broken beak making it impossible to eat a berry off the tree. The other one got the berry and passed it to it so it could eat.

Amazing. They are taking care of each other.

Spider Monkey's at the house

2017-03-23T13:44:00.003-04:00

There is a troop of Spider Monkey's that pass by the house most days. It is fun to watch them as they swing from tree to tree not stopping very long except to see what we are doing.

Sometimes they will shake the tree at us, telling us to get away

Today the fruit on one of the trees must of been ripe and they had were there enjoying it for some time.

Looks like we catch him doing something he shouldn't be doing.

There were 2 babies in the troop. This was the first time I got to see a baby spider.

Got a few pics of the baby before he got back on Mom for a ride

The amazing Leaf Cutter Ants

2017-03-04T10:33:00.006-05:00

Leaf cutter ants are all over Costa Rica.

It is amazing to watch them in long lines, carrying pieces of flowers and leaves. Today there were leaves on the ground and I was able to watch them cut the leaf right in front of me.

Once it is cut they carry it back to their mounds, which can be a long distance. The mounds can be big with millions of ants living there.

Today's Jungle New's

2017-02-28T14:26:00.001-05:00

The howlers generally do their howling at first sunlight 5:00am (occasionally 4:22am) and at sundown. This is to let other troops know where they are. Sometimes during the day they will howl if startled by a loud noise or after it rains. They are in the trees behind the house most days.

Today around 10am all heck break loose and they started really howling. There seem to be 2 troops very close together. We watched a couple come over to the one's troops area, making them really howl.

After much howling all the monkeys went to the trees where the other troop was.

At that point they stopped howling and were just making quiet noises (talking). After a bit some monkeys moved on in one directions and the other troop went back to the area they started from. I don't know to much about the Howler's but it seemed like the 2 troops just wanted to meet to say Hola.

I have never seen one stand like this, seems very aggressive.

Noticed there were a few older males which I thought was a bit unusual.

Check out the expressions on the faces

5:00am wake up

2017-02-25T08:33:00.001-05:00

howlers right outside the window

I am watching a Momma & baby howler while having my morning tea.

Love the face

A peaceful morning.

So Sweet

Monkey's Everywhere

2017-02-23T09:10:00.000-05:00

I was fixing dinner at the house looking out the window when I noticed some branches moving.

That usually means monkeys. Sure enough I spotted a spider monkey right in the trees outside the window I stopped what I was doing, grabbed my camera and went out back to see if I could get a picture of one. They move fast and are very shy making it hard to get a good picture.

As I was watching the spider monkeys swing from branch to branch I noticed a few Capuchin's checking me out from a tree that the spider monkeys just passed through.

How cool is that 2 kinds of monkeys right there. As I was busy taking pictures of both monkeys I could hear little sounds above my head. It was a howler monkey.

All 3 monkeys, Howler, Spider, and Capuchin all in back of the house.

Dinner on hold

2017-02-21T08:37:00.002-05:00

Every time I am here I see something new.

Today it was the Semiplumbeous Hawk. Now that is a name?

A Sloth in Mi Casa

2017-02-20T07:46:00.001-05:00

After spending the morning at the beach in Punta Uva we decided to stop home for some lunch. I was hanging my towel over the railing to dry when I got caught off guard by a sloth sitting at the steps to the house looking up at me.

I have seen plenty of sloths in this country, up in trees, crossing the road, coming down trees, but never have I had one come to the house.

I grabbed my camera and spent the next 2 hours watching him trying to make his way up the steps.

He did not seem at all bothered by us so we figured we would just watch and see where he wanted to go.

He finally made it up onto the steps, it was nap time. He took a 2 hour nap right there on the step.

Luna, our resident cat needed to go check things out for herself.

Finally he woke up and worked his way up the steps to the railing. He wrapped himself around it and took a nap.

At this point we were trying to decide if we should move him. But first you should ask him if he like to be moved.

Then think about it over wine.

We were told that you just grab him by the back like a cat and carry him to a tree. Never having touched a sloth before we were still a little unsure. Just look at these claws.

After a bit & some wine George decided to give it a go, but the sloth was having none of it.

After a while he went back to sleep and we left for dinner.

We were excited to come home to see if he was still there. Sure enough he was right where we left him. Guess he was spending the night.

The next morning he was sound asleep right on the porch. still. We had breakfast and went off to the beach.

Noon we thought maybe we should go check on him. As we got to the porch he was gone or so I thought until I walked around the table and there he was. He had moved from the rail and was now in the kitchen about to enter the bedroom.

Having a sloth in bed with me is not something that sounded appealing. Besides at this point he was stuck with really no where to go. It was time he left and found a tree.
This time around instead of picking him up we got the broom.

It worked perfectly and we relocated him to a tree near the house.

We did not see him for a few days and then spotted him in a tree close by.

Last year we had one come close to the house and thought that was something but this far in a way topped that. A sloth in the house, an experience we will never forget. We did wonder if it was the same sloth coming to say hello.

The Giant Green Macaw's here at Villa Toucan

2017-02-19T16:47:00.001-05:00

This morning we were woken up by 2 beautiful but very loud Green Macaw's in the tree outside the bedroom window.

It is a pleasure to have them back in the area and at our house.

Getting ready to take flight, thought they were going to fly right in the window.

Instead they landed on the roof.

Then off they went.

It feels like home

2017-02-19T16:05:00.001-05:00

We are back in Costa Rica and this time for 2 months in just one spot. Over the years we have visited much of the country and many areas have become special to us but the one spot we have fallen in love with is Puerto Viejo.

Punta Uva

Everything thing you could want is right here is this small area, beautiful beaches, warm friendly people, amazing wildlife, hiking, surfing, and great restaurants.

It's wonderful to be back, feels like home.

Mi Casa

Need a day of pampering

2016-03-09T12:07:00.001-05:00

Pure Jungle Spa is the answer.

After a month of walking of hiking, sand, & sun my feet were in need of a good pedicure. Asking around I was told this is the spot and they were right.

It is set among beautiful flowers with hummingbirds flying about, very relaxing.
It was the best pedicure I have ever had. My feet were baby soft when she was done with them.

I have also been told by a women who just came back from Thailand that the massages here are better then she had while there. I think I will have to give it a try.

The not so wild animals of Costa Rica

2016-03-09T11:48:00.002-05:00

Costa Rica is full of wildlife and some not so wild. I enjoy watching the domestic animals as well.

Most of the houses we have stayed out there are dogs and cats that come visit regularly. But what is really interesting is the dogs on the beach They are not wild and all have owners but come to the beach everyday mostly on their own to play, swim, and take a nap under the trees.

Heard there were a few complaints from folks about the dogs but its the people leaving behind all the trash. Dogs aren't drinking beer.

Want to take a walk? There is always a dog willing to go with you.

Lilly was ready to lead the way when we went hiking the trail of Cielo Mar

Not only do the dogs roam free but s few horse too.

This one taking a walk down the trail to the beach.

It all just works.

2016-03-07T17:59:00.000-05:00

I am very comfortable in the rainforest. In fact I feel very much at home being surrounded by all the nature. I love hiking trails, walking around the yards of the houses and discovering new things. There is always something new. Some are beautiful

and just creepy.

A few I just don't want to see. The bullet Ant is top of my lists for not seeing.

I read about these a few years back and it was the only thing that scared me.
The bite or string is said to be extremely painful, like being shot. The pain goes on for 24 hours and feels like you are on fire. It is exactly a inch long, not that I got close enough to measure and if seen, kill it. I have seen 5, all of which George has whacked hard with a shoe.

I read there are 20,000 different kinds of spiders in Costa Rica. On this trip we saw not only the biggest but the most deadliest.

Walking on the trail around the house we came across a Tarantula. It is big, creepy, cool, & shy. It wants nothing to do with us but I will be shaking out my towels and looking in my shoes after seeing this guy.

In the pool house is a bunch of bananas that are hanging to get ripe. The monkeys have an eye on them but that another story.

George was using the hose when he calls me to come look at this cool spider in the bananas.

We take some pics and then I go google what we got here. Comparing the picture and reading the behavior of this spider give me a whole new fear.

What is hanging out in the bananas is a Brazilian wandering spider. The Guinness book of works records in 2010 had this as the most deadliest spider on the planet. It is the most venomous & aggressive spider in the world.

Oh yea, right here.

It does not spin a web and during the day sleeps in banana plants, dark places, & found near houses. Sounds like our boy. At night it wanders looking for prey, mice, lizards, & insects.

So much for night swimming. Having this guy wandering around at night is not giving me a warm and fuzzy feeling. To think I was afraid of a bullet ant.

Gandoca - Manzanillo nature Reserve

2016-03-07T10:43:00.003-05:00

At the far end of Manzanillo is the entrance to the trails through the reserve. It is free to enter but some days they are there taking donations.

The hike is fairly easy with some great view from the lookout point, and 2 beach coves.

Once passed the second beach cove the trail just keeps going possibly right into Panama.

We hiked in 2.5 miles. It was very peaceful listening to the birds.

One raining day we drove to the other entrance to the park, Gandoca beach. This is a black sand beach.

This is one of the spots the leatherback come to nest. Not to much to do on a rainy day but was nice to see.

Cielo Mar

2016-03-07T07:24:00.000-05:00

For the last part of the trip we moved back up to the canopy to Cielo Mar, meaning Sky Sea. It has fantastic views of both, along with the mountains of Panama.

The house has 3 floors, master bedroom, bath, and deck on the first floor.

The second is the living area, kitchen, full bathroom, & a bedroom.

My favorite spot is the lookout room on the top floor. It was open with nice breezes with 360 degree views.

The trees were filled with Capuchin monkeys.

Everywhere you looked they were jumping for trees to tree. It was fascinating watching them and a few watching us.

There were times they made jumps from the trees they looked like they were flying through the air. Made me think of the Wizard of Oz, flying monkeys.

One of the best features of the house is a pool which is a nice side along with the area. The pool will nice surrounded by all this nature.

Going to be a great spot to end our trip, in the jungle.

Just got poke around

2016-03-06T18:18:00.000-05:00

The road from Puerto Viejo to the Manzanillo is only 10 miles long with roads leading to either the beach or up into the rainforest.

It is fun to just take one and see where it leads. You never know what you will find.

We turned down a little beach road we have passed a 100 times and found a lovely trail.

It went along the beach through palm trees and forest.

As we walked past this one tree I saw movement out of the corner of my eye which gave me a little startle.

Here it was a mother 2 sloth and her very young baby coming down the tree to do their weekly business.

What a treat to be on this lovely trail with the sound of the ocean & watching Mama & baby.

Sunday Funday in Costa Rica

2016-03-06T18:16:00.001-05:00

Morning walk in the beach in Manzanillo.

Saw a sloth crossing the street in Chiquita.

Sat on the beach in Punta Uva listening to the ocean & 2 toucans calling back while watching a troop of howler monkeys playing in the trees above my head.

Went to Playa Cocles and watched the surfers.

Fresh snapper lunch on the beach at Johnny's place, Puerto Viejo.

Afternoon by the pool listening to the Macaws.

Music at Lazy Mon

Dinner at my favorite place, Koki Beach.

Pura Vida!!!

Casa naranja - Manzanillo, Limon

2016-03-05T12:18:00.001-05:00

We next moved back to the beach between Punta Uva & Manzanillo for a week. We like switching houses and locations. Each place is uniquely different in style, locations, creating difference experiences.

Casa naranja is a beautiful house with a couple features you don't get often in the rainforest, glass windows & AC. All the doors have screens and can be opened which creates good breezes through out the house so AC wasn't needed.

The porch is very big with very comfortable furniture. It was lovely sitting under the roof on the porch listening to the rain.

The house has a TV. We only watched football since leaving the states so it was a nice to watch a little TV a few night. Only thing not many English channels.

The kitchen is large but quirky. It is set up like a galley kitchen but has a huge table in the middle you have to keep walking around when trying to cook. The stove on one side the pots and pans and cooking utensils on the other. The designer clearly not someone who cooks.

We did cook so wonderful meals, eating them outside on the teak table on the back porch. There is a big wood burning oven as well.

The yard is all fenced in and the caretakers live in a little cottage right next door. They are lovely people however speak no English and our Spanish is lacking. It was difficult when we both needed to try to complicate information to one another.

There is a trail to the beach from the house. We walked it each day seeing lots of crabs. You could walk to beach to Manzanillo.

We like to spend the mornings at either playa Cocles watching the surfers or Manzanillo where it's been great for swimming.

Then in the afternoon Punta Uva.

The howlers were around the house most of the week. He heard them mostly, only seeing them one day. A troop of spider monkeys came through the trees. They move through first.

We enjoyed our stay here and we're very comfortable in the house.

It was good to experience being close to the beach but we prefer the canopy.

A 3 toed Sloth mission to find just the right tree - Villa Toucan, Punta Uva

2016-03-04T11:16:00.001-05:00

have heard and read that the only time a sloths comes down a tree is to go to the bathroom. This is not the case.

While sitting having my coffee in the porch at Villa Toucan, I noticed a 3 toed sloth in one of the trees by the house. I watched him climb along the branch to the tip to eat some leaves then back to the trunk of the tree. He was heading down the tree. It is known that sloths come down the tree once a week to do their business then head right back up. I watched him come down then disappear from my sight into the brushes at the base of the tree.

A little while later I noticed him heading up a different tree close to the one he had just come from. I watched as he climbed up, investigating each of the branches on the tree. He climbed to the end of each one then back. He must not of been happy with this tree because he was now heading back down.

At this point I needed to get a little closer to see what he was going to do. He went all the way down and started climbing through the low brushes just off the ground. He came to an area that was open and crawled across the ground to the base of another tree. This is when the cat took notice and went for a closer look. Neither one seemed all that interested in one another but it was surprising to me to see them together.

This tree was not where he wanted to be and he was once again took to the ground crawling along right towards us.

This was the first time I have seen a sloth crawling along the ground and so close.

It was amazing to see. We stayed very still.

At one point it looked like he was going to crawl right to George. Give him a big sloth hug. He didn't seem to notice us at all as he moved right past us to the short brushes in front of the retaining wall. He was now sort of trapped with the wall behind him, brushes to short to climb, and no tree.

He seemed to have a mission and continued on through the brushes to the end of the wall. Now what?

He climbed the wall and sat on top taking a much needed break. It had been about 2 hours now since he has been on the move.

All he had was a red palm in front of him and he was having trouble reaching for it. We could see his chest moving hard like he was out of breathe. I have never seen a sloth move so much so it was hard to say but he seemed to be out of steam.

We stayed far from him giving him space, watching as he rested. A sloth sitting on a wall is not something you see often at least I don't think so.

After a bit he started reaching for the red Palm and finally was able to get hold. Now climbing the palm to the top he started testing the branches of a big tree next to it.

He was careful, testing his weight on the branch before letting go of the palm. I felt certain he was going to fall out of the tree. After testing many branches he found the one that would hold him and into the tree he went.

It was a good distance he traveled to be in just the spot he wanted. Amazing. Once into the tree we never spotted him again. A weeks nap was in his future.

It was an incredible morning at Villa Toucan.

Villa Toucan, Punta Uva

2016-03-02T15:46:00.002-05:00

We had a wonderful stay at Magic moon and really enjoyed the location. But we also love being up in the canopy. The next place we stayed was Villa Toucan. This is a magical place, tucked away in the rainforest in Punta Uva. The views are fantastic, canopy & ocean.

This was our 3rd visit and each time we discover something new. It is so peaceful here. I love the open house and waking up in the middle of the jungle. The sounds are incredible, howler monkey's, parrots, toucans, and many I have no idea what they are.

Having been out to eat while Nicole & George were here it was time to relax start cooking at home.

There are plenty of food stores from Puerto Viejo to Manzanillo. I enjoy getting my fruits & veggies from the local roadside stands.

For chicken there are 2 butcher shop in town, 2 chicken breast $4.00.

Fresh fish you find at the fish shop. There is always plenty of fresh new snapper, tuna, and shrimp. For fresh bread there are many choices, we have tried pan pay in town.

We found super cocles to have the best prices for wine. It's a few stops but fun.

The best Pizza!!! Marco's Puerto Viejo

2016-03-01T16:49:00.002-05:00

Ever play that game if I was stuck on an island? Well if I were stuck on a island with only 1 food to eat for the rest of my life I think I would pick pizza. It can be eaten cold or hot and makes a great meal breakfast, lunch, dinner, or snack. Of course where do you get pizza stuck on an island?

We often go out on Friday nights in New Jersey for pizza with friends. It has become a little quest among us to find the best pizza. We have a few favorites but still always looking.

While George & Nicole were here we found the place that just might be the best pizza we have ever had.

Marco's Pizza in Puerto Viejo. The dough is made fresh each day.

Each pizza is made to order using fresh basil from the garden. Then cooked in a wood burning oven. It comes thin, crisp, and delicious. Plus you have an ocean view.

Not sure you can get better then this. After 4 trips so far & still plenty of time to go.

Marco's pizza gets our vote for best pizza!!

They do deliver, guess NJ be little to far.

Even Mama Sloth paid a visit one day.

The Jaguar Rescue Center

2016-02-28T10:00:00.002-05:00

One of my favorite places to visit here in Puerto Viejo is the Jaguar Rescue. We came here on out first visit and as part of the visit we got to go on with the baby Howlers.

This was something I have talked about many times and really wanted the kids to experience both the rescue and the baby howlers.

We stopped by at the beginning of the week to find out times. Lucky we did because in order experience the howlers you need to book a private tour. They used to take 3 groups but just changed and are only taking 2 groups a day for the private tours and the week was booked. Nicole & I just stood there looking very disappointed. She repeated it was booked for the week but we didn't move. It was either our disappointed faces or the fact we weren't moving that she said " let me see what I can do." A moment later she came back and said "Thursday at 2:00pm." We were thrilled.

Our guide for our tour was Dexter, a local who has been with the rescue for 7 years. He took us around telling us about the different animals, why they are there, how they are caring for them, and how they will be released back into the rainforest. Most that come through the rescue are able to be re introduced back. Very few end up here permit which is great.

The highlight was getting to go feed the baby howler monkeys. We first needed to leave everything outside the cage, along with removing earnings, jewelry, any thing shiny they could get their hands on. There are 2 young capuchins in there as well and they love shiny things. We also wrapped our heads to avoid them eating at our hair.

We sat down and they all came running and jumping all over us. One of the capuchins love men. He first went to George, curling up on his belly while kneeing him. He then went to Georgie. He just stayed on his lap looking up at him so sweetly.

Nicole and I were sitting on the floor and they were climbing all over us, curling their tails around our arms or legs as they bounced from one spot to another.

It was fun watching them interact with each other. The capuchin and howlers plating together is not something you see. There was one very young baby they have been introducing into the cage. When she came in they all wanted time with her even the capuchin.

I did have a little unique experience. When I wasn't looking the capuchin came up to me and went right for my nipple biting it. Not only was I surprised by this fresh little monkey but it hurt. It certainly was not something I expected but made for some good laughs.

When the monkeys are ready they start taking them out on monkey picnics in the rainforest. They are free to explore in hopes that a troop comes along and takes them in. There are no adult monkeys at the rescue their method is working great.

I saw this ocelot last year when it first came to the center after it was orphan as baby. Now they take it for daily walks in the rainforest where one day it will just keep going.

The animals end up here due to injury, the babies the mother was killed, or because people wanted a wild animal as a pet.

They are doing a wonderful thing here at the rescue. It is something not to be missed.

Tours are 9:30am & 11:30am. Private tours are 2:00 & must be booked in advance.

A week with the family at Magic Moon, Playa Negra Costa Rica

2016-02-28T09:23:00.000-05:00

Another night at Courtyard by Marriott at the airport in San Jose then it was off to Puerto Viejo for the next 5 weeks.

We were very excited to have both our kids coming to spend the first week with us. I guess telling them we had a 3 bedroom house on the beach in Puerto Viejo helped. The house is perfect for us too, 3 bedrooms, large kitchen, and a huge porch.

Our first stop was Banana Azul for some much needed beach time for them. We stayed at Banana Azul our first visit here, it is a great place to stop in and get a meal while enjoying their beach. Colin the owner along with the staff is always very welcoming.

Today they are having a beach BBQ, $5.00 for grilled chicken, beef, or both served with coleslaw and mixed hearts of palm with chick peas. The perfect lunch served on the beach along with ice cold beers.

Its no wonder we keep coming back here.

It was super bowl Sunday and The point Bar/ restaurant was hosting a huge party which we attended. It was a fun crowd and we enjoyed being together to watch the game. We even won some money!!!

The week went by too fast and we had many days of just rain. A storm came through and it rain pretty much non stop for 3 days. Thankfully we had a wonderful house to hang out, play cards, dice, and spend time together.

We did take them to all our favorite restaurants, Koki Beach, La Pecora Nera, El Refugio, & Stashu's con Fusion. All wonderful meals.
We also found the best pizza, Marcos which deserve it very own blog.

We got a little hiking at Cahuita National Park, where we got to see a large troop of capuchin monkeys and some howlers. But the hike was cut short when the heavens opened up with not drizzle but pouring rain.

One of the highlights of their time here was the Jaguar rescue, which gets it's own blog as well.

We had 2 nice beach days one in Manzanillo and their last day in Cocles. The ocean was rough due to the storm but we rented surf and boogies boards anyway. Both Nicole and George got a few waves. I stuck to the boogie boards.

It was so wonderful to spend time with them and to have them experience this place we love.

My son's post -
3 days til Costa Rica with Nicole Emily to visit our long lost parents George and Jill Snyder. It seems like we are lost in this wonderful place, loving every minute. Pura Vida

There last morning we drove them to the small airport in Limon and put them on a flight to San Jose where they will connect home. Miss them already. Great time!!!