Christmas Day in Costa Rica turned out to be very quiet and relaxed. Unfortunately both Richard and Olive had upset stomachs. Olive had discovered the maracuya, a larger and slightly more sour type of passion fruit, and I suspect her tummy was telling her “enough with the maracuya!” Being the highbrow family that we are, we couldn’t get through the day without numerous references to maracuya and poohya…I always thought girls were meant to be immune to all that toilet humor!!
Olive and Edie posing with one of the many and varied Nativity scenes we encountered during our trip.Despite the dodgy tummies we did manage to make it down to Dominicalito Beach for a couple of hours…just like a real Kiwi Christmas day.Watching the hundreds of hermit crabs on the go was fun.Olive and her sloth. Our non stuffed animal lover instantly fell in love with this one…of course we forgot to pack it!Watching the sun set at Dominical beach on Christmas night. Magic.
On Boxing Day we went back to Ballena National Park to take a walk on the whale’s tail. It literally has the shape of a whale’s tail and is a place where humpback whales come twice a year. You can only walk on the tail when the tide is out so you have to time it right or you could get stranded.
The whale’s tail from above.Our more down to earth view.Once again Edie spent every possible moment in the water.Our last adventure in Costa Rica was a trip to the Alturas Wildlife Sanctuary.We got to meet all sorts of wildlife who had been rescued from various situations.It’s illegal to keep Costa Rican wildlife as pets, but many people do. When the animal is discovered it often ends up at Alturas. They also take in animals who have been injured or mistreated.The goal is to rehabilitate the animals and, if possible, get them back into the wild. Once released, many of the animals keep very close to the sanctuary and have been known to pop back for a visit.I never thought I would describe a porcupine as cute but this wee girl was so adorable.Apparently these wee critters taste amazing – ugh – but as a result are very endangered.Olive and Edie loved getting up close and personal with all the animals.
And so the sun set on our Costa Rican adventure. Pura Vida is a phrase used a great deal in Costa Rica. Loosely translated it means the good life, living well, things are going great…perhaps even…no worries…it’s a sentiment we tried desperately to keep in mind when we arrived home late on the 29th to discover…
Hi Susie…great to hear from you. Nowhere near sorted unfortunately! Probably take at least six weeks but we are all covered so really just an inconvenience.
Hi Cynthia – yes that is the ceiling in our basement/playroom area. A water filter under the kitchen sink which is located above the basement, split and was leaking for two days. Had to take out the whole kitchen upstairs, all the carpet downstairs, lots of warped hardwood floors!! Going to be a big job to fix but all covered by insurance so that’s ok.
on the cRoad again 
More amzing photos Chrissy – looks like a great trip. Real shame about the ending. Hope you guys are all sorted at home now!
Just waiting to hear back from insurance company, have contractor lined up so repairs should start soon, fingers crossed.
Loving the photos and yes what a disaster to come home to and I hope it’s all sorted now 🙂
Hi Susie…great to hear from you. Nowhere near sorted unfortunately! Probably take at least six weeks but we are all covered so really just an inconvenience.
euhm WTF … ! Is that your roof/sealing? How did that happen?
Hi Cynthia – yes that is the ceiling in our basement/playroom area. A water filter under the kitchen sink which is located above the basement, split and was leaking for two days. Had to take out the whole kitchen upstairs, all the carpet downstairs, lots of warped hardwood floors!! Going to be a big job to fix but all covered by insurance so that’s ok.