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Published: February 20th 2010
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We had arrangements to stay at the Mango Moon for only one night, as doing so would break up our drive to the next destination. It would also allow us an opportunity to spend some time in a particularly popular Costa Rican park, Manuel Antonio National Park, where much wildlife is known to be seen. In the morning, this was our destination. Here is where we encountered more tourists than anywhere else on our trip. Most of them were with guided tour groups delivered by the myriad of buses and vans that were stopped at the park entrance. We quickly realized how grateful we were not to be a part of the cattle herd, just not our style : ). Instead, we chose the self-guided tour which allowed us to stop and go whenever and gaze at whatever we wanted at our leisure. So through the park we went. We did see a couple of sloths hanging high above the trees, several iguanas, a few tropical birds, colorful crabs crawling riverside, a half naked European tourist : ) and more. The most exciting of our sightings was the white-faced or “Capuchin” monkey. Along the path toward our exit of the park
were a couple dozen Capuchin monkey’s entertaining each of the passersby. We spent a half an hour enjoying each of their antics; walking the power lines, swinging from trees (of course), wrestling one another, washing themselves or another, stealing food from a tourist (they were clearly accustomed to people in their space and rather aggressive as a result), and more. Nikki had been using the camera for a good portion of our days’ hike and still had it in her possession when we encountered these monkeys, so she was really eager to snap MANY photos “to share with the bloggers”, she said. She chose which photos to share below…
When we left the park we hit the road for another hour in the car towards our next stop. Along the way we stopped for lunch a small surf town called Dominical. Apparently Dominical is known to be ranked as the 7th best place to surf in all the world. It was definitely what we envisioned as a beach bum town, full of hostels for $25 a night, littered with tents and dreadlocks everywhere you look, an exchange of this for that (it appeared anyway), and killer waves with brave
surfers up and down the line. At least we can say we’ve been there and done that!
It was only a short drive further before we took a sharp left turn up a steep hillside to Shelter from the Storm. Eagerly awaiting us were Daryl and Donna, who provided a warm welcome and tour of our home for the next 5 days. Nestled into the heart of the jungle with yet another BREATHTAKING view of the ocean and the Osa Peninsula to the South was Arriba Las Rocas, one of three houses making up this property. Las Rocas was an exquisite place; the sound of crashing waves from below, the “buzz”, “click” and “chirp” of the jungle omnipresent, a slight breeze flowing from room-to-room, comfortable beds with luxurious linens, striking woodwork throughout the home, and perfectly placed Tico artwork and decorations. After getting settled into our place, we made a trip into a town called Uvita where we picked up groceries for the week at the supermercado (supermarket). On our way back to the house torrential rain began to fall and another electric display of thunder and lightning over the Pacific thrilled us. We were able to get into
the house and settled in enough time to enjoy another exciting stormy night in Costa Rica!
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Jodi
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Walking on water
What a super cool pic of Nikki jumpin into the pool! Perfect timing!