S: Costa Rica 2005
FC: Family Trip: Costa Rica 2005
1: Family Trip: Costa Rica 2005 | From top: Matt Robison, Julie Robinson, Chris Hill, Dick Robison, Doracy Robison, Alex Hill, Ann Robinson, Lois Robison, Russell Harrison, Judy Robison, Nick Hill, Ellen Hill, Sarah Robinson, Laurel Robinson, Stan Robinson (Jared Robinson not pictured)
2: The first stop in Costa Rica was San Jose, and it was a wet evening. Thankfully, the food was worth the soaking!
3: breakfast at the hotel about to set off for La Cusinga | George poses with the namesake for Don Carlitos (aka Abby)
4: You have to pack lightly! ( <25 lbs)
5: La Cusinga
6: the dining hut | Howler monkeys, who made their presence very known | our hosts Ibo, Andy, and Antonio
8: the Hill family | feeding Pizotes | ready to surf | a Cusinga! | enjoying the water | George self-portrait | al fresco dining | lazy days
10: Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve
11: Marco guiding us through the reserve | inside a strangle fig | hibiscus | hummingbird | rattlesnake flower | redfern eggs | coaxed out a tarantula | the elusive quetzal! Yes, we saw one!
12: Above: bird-watching at the reserve lodge Left: Julie has a new friend in the butterfly garden
13: Canopy Crew Chris, Sarah, Julie, Russell, Matt, Doracy, Nick
15: Swinging through the treetops!
17: A lunch stop turned into a memorable afternoon when a couple guys from a neighboring town tried to snatch Laurel's wallet. But they didn't expect Marco and Jose to be so quick to react! After a foot chase through the park and pursuit by taxi, the thief was thwarted when his cab driver made a stop at... the local police station. | the heroes of the day
18: Cano Negro | A relaxing boat ride along Rio Frio, viewing wildlife along the shore | ...very relaxing
19: sloth | cayman | bats | turtles | featherneck herring | iguana
20: Arenal Volcano
21: This orchid only blooms for one day each year! | Family portrait on the lava rock
22: Observatory Lodge- rooms with a view! | An amazing view in the day and even more spectacular at night, watching the red lava flow. The lodge is located 1.6 miles south of Arenal, one of the world's most active volcanoes. | a warm welcome
23: We lucked out with weather for the "off-season," especially at Arenal, with clear skies during the day, almost no rain, and perfect temperatures. One evening the clouds created a particularly striking sunset. Though some may argue an earthquake by a volcano isn't lucky weather, it was definitely unique and (hopefully) once-in-a-lifetime!
24: Rafting Rio Sarapiqui
26: The Young'uns : Matt & Russell up front, Sarah & Doracy in the middle, Julie in the ejector seat
27: The Hills: Ellen & Nick in front, Alex & Chris in back
28: Vinnie with her trusty crew: Judy, Dick, Ann, & Stan
29: a light-hearted game of football | relaxing in the pool back at the resort
30: Sueno Azul
33: Pura Vida!