Day 9 - Saturday 02.12

Alas our FabFebFun journey is ending.  Our last breakfast, and touch and go situation figuring out the final bill(I think that an algebra equation was actually needed- I kid you not) , then off to the Liberia airport.  Don't blink you'll miss it.   For some bizarre reason, you were required to be at the airport 3 hours early!  The airport had no air conditioning and a burrito stand for food!  That was about it.  At least there was a bathroom.  Sort of.



                                            Yes, That's The Airport Behind Deb

So  I said goodbye to Deb and Robin and headed back to reality. 

FabFebFun is really over - I can't believe it.

Robin and Deb - I want to tell you that I had one of the most fantastic trips of my life. 

Thank you both for the  wonderful wonderful memories.

Thank you for making it so special and sharing my birthday with me.  

I enjoyed your humor, your adventure and your companionship.   

Love You!

xxxxxoooooooooo

Day 8 - Friday 02.11

Oh no!  Our last day!  And another beautiful day.  Sorry Dennis, but hot, dry and windy has totally been working for us.  Except you aren't here.  Oh well can't have everything :)  

Today we were going on a catamaran sunset cruise.  And it looked like the perfect day for it. 

So some more of the same - down to the beach for some vegging before we get on the boat.  We got on the boat at 2:30 with 3 other couples.  All really nice people, a lot of fun.  The boat was gorgeous.  It was really windy and when they put up the sails we flew!  We went to a quiet cove where some people went snorkling and some walked around on the beach. 

                                                           Our Boat Awaits Us

Smile Ladies!

                                    


                                            Has Anyone Ever Told The Three Of You That
                                                 YOU'RE HOOOOOOOTTTTTTTT

                                              Don't Hate Me Because My Hair Is Beautiful

And what better way to end the day then go back to the Beach Club for dinner?  It was another wonderful meal.  And day!

Day 7 - Thursday 02.10

Today after a work out we met for breakfast and had a surprise breakfast guest.

                                          Yeah I Know I'm Cute - Gimmee Me Some Food

Deb was more motivated than Robin and I were, so she headed over to the beach for a morning snorkel.  There was a jellyfish sighting, so they sent the poor guides out first as bait to test the waters so to speak.  Coast clear!  But unfortunately the jellies waited for Deb to get in the water, because she looked a little red when she got out! Ouch!

Deb also checked out catch of the day.  Freshly caught fish that you can pick out for your dinner that night.  Nice! 

We decide to head to the Beach Club.  The Beach Club is a private club for the owners.  However since there are only 10 home owners at this time, it is open to Four Seasons guests.  And as you would guess another beautiful spot.

There is a restaurant, 2 bars, pool, hot tub and lap pool.  We had lunch one of the bar/restaurants and had yet another wonderful meal.  And our signature cocktails:  Robin - cerveza,  Deb - margarita, Jorgina - mojito.

We stayed late and really didn't want to leave, but we had to get ready for yet another meal.

Life is tough.

So back to the room for cocktail hour, then over to Papagayo Restaurant for dinner which was delicious. 

It was an early night tonight - we were exhausted from.....well..........from doing absolutely nothing and enjoying every minute of it!  I supposed the 20 cocktails may have helped the cause too!

Hasta Manana!

Day 6 - Wednesday 02.09

Wednesday started early - we were all awake pretty early for some reason and off to the gym.   The gym like everything else was very nice, very well staffed, and every comfort thought of.   We then met at the Papagayo Restaurant for a delicious breakfast.  While we found the staff at The Springs to be friendlier and we certainly got to know them better, the general concensus was that the food was better at the Four Seasons.  And a much bigger selection. 

We hit the adult pool which was very nice and then the beach later in the afternoon.  We were well taken care of with ice water, cooling towels, mini froze fruits, and did I mention someone to clean our sunglasses?  The clientele was certainly different than The Springs and very interesting at The Four Seasons.   Good people watching.  Of course a few Hawaiians. The woman who definitely used to be a guy in a tiny little bikini(nice ass but big adams apple), and then there was Stoner Mark.  Stoner Mark was recouperating from his brother's wedding which was held in a different part of Costa Rica where apparently there were lots of drugs to be had.  Stoner Mark told us he never traveled without his reefer in the states.  So of course we asked if he drove a lot?  Seemed like a logical question, right?  Who in their right mind would FLY WITH REEFER?  No, I fly all the time.  Ok and WHERE does one stash the reefer?  In my golf bag of course.  Of course, duh, where else?  And what about all the pot sniffing dogs that you see every 5 minutes in the terminal?  Dude, that's all a ruse.  Those dogs aren't trained to sniff drugs, they're trained to sniff for bombs.  No problemo.  Oh, you don't say?  Wow and all these years I could have been lugging my kilo around with me.  If only we had met Stoner Mark sooner. 

Lunch was again at the outdoor restaurant, this afternoon with a pitcher of margaritas.  I really don't remember very much after that.  Seriously. 

I think we then wobbled over to the beach to a local artisans fair.  They had jewelry, clothing but the highlight was the kitchenware made out of wood.  Plates, bowls, cheese platters - they were light and honed to a very shiny, lustrous finish. The wood had many different shades and hues.  Deb bought a huge salad bowl which was gorgeous.  Until she had to get the thing home!  But really it looked like it could have been in an art show - I know she'll enjoy it and use it.

We did go for a walk around the property later on.  That in itself is quite the exercise getting up some of those hills(more like mini mountains).  But it was well worth it because we stumbled across a treeful of howler monkeys.  Boy are they noisy.  What a creepy noise too.  They sounded like something out of Planet of The Apes.  On Steroids.

We had dinner at the Italian restaurant, which was wonderful and yet another romantic setting which the three of us enjoyed.
                                               
                       Yes, Of Course More Wine, Por Favor.  Do  We Look Like One Bottle Girls?
                                         

Yes another wonderful day.  By this time I totally understood the European saying - "The art of doing nothing".  Europeans have a totally different perspective about livng life to its fullest, and  it is often the the simple art of doing nothing but doing nothing in the  company of good friends and family, good food, and being in the moment.  I think this was the first vacation that I barely read my book, didn't use email much(except for attempting to write in this blog), and really really reveled in doing nothing!

Day 5 - Tuesday 02.08

Alas it is time to leave this beautiful, lush, tropical paradise and head to the turquoise blue waters and warm white sandy beaches.  What a sacrifice.  Dennis had a different thought:  Robin, Papagayo is hot, dry and windy.  Ok so we'll just have to deal with it. 

Another very long ride - 3-3 1/2 hours.  Deb and I used a patch because the first 1/2 of the trip was once again on those windy, hilly, narrow roads.  But what a beautiful ride.  Around the volcano, past and around Lake Arenal, close the Niguara border, then down to the beach.  It was interesting watching the landscape slowly change as we neared the Pacific coast.  Flatter, drier, and as Dennis forwarned, certainly windy.  But so again very beautiful in a different way.  Lots of farms, and as we got close to the coast, craggy cliffs that plunged to the sea. 

                                            Trip From The Springs To Four Seasons

The road leading into the Four Seasons is a zigzag with panoramic views of the ocean on both sides, past a velvet green golf course.  I knew as soon as we got out of the taxi, that if Robin had any chance getting her feed rubbed, it would be here. 

I think there must have been 5 staff to every guest.  They truly thought of every convenience and comfort possible.  If you tried to do anything yourself, there was someone intercepting and saying - this is your vacation, you enjoy, I'll do ___________ for you(fill in the blank).     Since I'm so accustomed to Casey and the girls waiting on me hand and foot, I felt right at home. 

                                          Looking From Four Seasons Lobby Down To Open Air Bar

                                           Blanco Beach(I Think?)

The resort is nestled on a peninsula with the ocean on both sides - yes two oceans - only the Four Seasons would think of that right? 

So of course it was time for our cocktail lunch, which we thoroughly enjoyed at the outdoor restaurant. 

We lounged on the beach fairly late - the sun was going down and the skyline was beautiful.

                                                 Can You See The Sailboat On The Horizon?
                                               

And the view from our room paralleled the view at The Springs.  We overlooked the ocean, and the sound of the waves put me to sleep every night. 

We got room service for dinner - sushi which was delicious and which we enjoyed on the patio.  Which by the way was a room onto itself - couches, chairs, lights, fans.  We had stopped and stocked up on red wine, which we enjoyed every evening during our cocktail hour before dinner. 

Ok so I could get used to this.  The Springs Spa & Resort?  Where's that?

Day 4 - Monday 02.07

Monday we woke up to a surprise - sun!  Yes, for the most part it has been either foggy, drizzly, or overcast.  Which I guess made sense since we are in the rain forest!  Sun was a much appreciated change, especially since we were zipgliding today!  Deb and I are both afraid of heights - this was going to be an adventure and challenge.

So off we went.  More beautiful views along the way.   We got there and had to gear up.  We agreed the gear was a very good look.  If we wore butt bras, that is exactly what it would feel and look like.  Again,  great guides who were also very high energy and fun. 

Freddy set the mood by saying welcome to the jungle baby.  Which sounded more like whelcoom to the joongle beebee.  Or something like that.  Into the sky tram and up up up up.....wow it was really high!  I definitely had butterflies.  Luckily there were two very small runs to learn and test it out.  But after that - Freddy said this is it guys.  I don't care if you yell, scream, beg, or cry like a little baby, once you go on the next run there is no way to go back!  Yikes! 

                                           The Road To Zipline

Butt Bras

THE POWERGIRLS

                                 (Taken By A Wild And Crazy Guy With A Big Bulge- don't ask)

PowerBoob Girls Is More Like It

Before I knew what was happening, one of the guides was shoving me off the ramp and I was flying!   OMG it was so f*&ing high!  And fast!  And did I say high?   Crap!  Did I say really fast?  I was trying to remember the thousand instructions that I learned in about 5 minutes - keep hands on handles, if you take hands off handles you will start spinning out of control in circles, keep knees up or you will get stuck out on the wire, drop your legs when you feel the wire shake and then spread your legs or you will get a wire burn, lean back, don't sit up too straight..................I felt the wire shake and suddenly I was standing on the next station!  Wow was that fun! 


                               Spread And Drop, Spread And Drop....Or Was It Tuck and Lift!?  Crap!

                                          I'm Spreading And Ready!
                                     
                                            TeHeHeHeHeHeHe!    HeHeHeHeHeHeHeHe!

I knew Deb was next after me because I could hear giggling way before I could even see her!  She had everyone giggling around me! 

I don't remember ever doing anything that was so scarey and at the same time so exhilarating and exciting.

Back to the resort for our obligatory cocktail lunch and soaking in hot springs.  Someone has to do it.

Robin and I also visited their wildlife preserve on the property.  They had many cats and also monkies who were not fit to survive in the wild.  My favorite were the oscelots, especially a little female who had lived with humans for most of her life.

                                                                Isn't She Beautiful?

Another day in paradise!  But how sad - our last at The Springs. And Robin still hadn't gotten her foot massage.

Day 3 - Superbowl Sunday 02.06

Well today was going to be busy.   Up and ready to go on the rafting trip in the morning.  Back for lunch and back out for the Canopy Bridges walk in the afternoon.

We were picked up by the very chatty guide Jose and the driver Licko.  Licko claimed he didn't speak any English but every time one of made an off color comment he was in the front guffawing to himself.  No English my shiny ass(was still buffed from the my massage).   I bet my shiny ass that if Deb had starting talking about her cojones that Licko would have driven right off that windy road.  And speaking of buff  I have to say Licko was pretty "buff" himself.  He had a Jesus tat on his arm which Robin was sure meant that he was a "saved" bad boy.  We had to keep our eye on Licko.  Which wasn't a real burden by the way.

On a related note - did I mention that the Costa Rican men in general are very attractive?  Ok, hell they were pretty hot.  Yes that was the concensus.  I think partly because they were all so genuinely nice, kind and considerate. And patient.  We butchered their language the whole week, and they still tried to speak to us in Spanish.  Without laughing.

The festitivies began when we had to put on very smelly life vests.  Pee You!  Seriously.  Deb seemed to have issues snapping in her cojones, so sure enough, here comes Licko to the rescue.  That man does have a stressful job, huh? 

                                            Licko Saves The Day!!

All Snapped In.  Mission Accomplished!

What I thought was going to be an easy white water rafting trip turned out to be a meandering, floating trip down a very lazy river.  It was perfect!  It was only us, a young couple from Spain on their honeymoon who were charming, and Jose. 

By the way, 3/4 of the males in Costa Rica are named Jose.    They explained that they use their second name to distinguish, such as Jose E, or Jose Manny, or Jose Emmanuel to tell one Jose from another.   So this is Jose Float Trip. 

We had a wonderful time, and saw: ....2 sloths, 1 baby, bats, leafcutter ants, monkeys, and 1 iguana, cows, birds plus pretty little farm (and a partridge in a pear tree)??

We also saw a wide variety of plant life, interesting old trees, cactus(yes, in that rainy area, but they live on other trees). 

Jose was incredibly knowledgeable as were all the guides it turned out.  They need to go through a pretty rigorous training program and knew everything about their country from politics, to geography, to agriculture to you name it.  What I found interesting is how many micro climates exist in Costa Rica.    They basically grow everything except for flour, but there is a tree that they use to make bread out of.  He mentioned growing lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, vanilla, cilantro, basil, corn, mango, bananas, plaintains, and the list goes on.  Not to mention milk, beef, and seafood.  It truly is a self sustaining country.

                                           Ladies, You're So HOOOOOOOOT!
                                                  What Are Those Paddles For?

                                              Death Defying Raft Trip

                                          We Survived.  Jose Is The Little Guy Next To Deb

We went back to a working farm whose owners happened to own the land that the river passed through.  We had a very interesting cake made out of yucca with of course a cup of strong coffee.  They grow lots of coffee here and its really good! 

In the afternoon we went on the Hanging Bridges walk.  The rain forest is so lush and green.  There is moss growing up the trees, on the ground making it a magical place.  The bridges are very wobbly when you walk across them and very high.  Unfortunately we didn't see any wildlife, probably because our tour  included a group of loud Germans who wore so much bug spray they would have scared anything away within a 1 mile radius.  They put they crap on in the van with all the windows closed?  Duh?  And the guy had the scariest looking rash on his leg - unfortunately couldn't get a pic because was afraid to get that close to him.



                                            Yet Another Romantic Spot For The Three Of Us  - Ahhhh!                         
                                              
                                                    I'm Too Sexy For My Shoes

                                           Flowers Growing Off Side of  Tree - So Beautiful

                                           A Wall of Moss and Ferns

That Is One Big Ass Tree

And what better way to end the day than NOT watching the superbowl!!!  We went back to our favorite bar and learned something else -  basically whatever we wanted or wanted to do - someone would figure out a way to make it happen.  Lady, its your vacation, you relax and don't worry.  So when we asked if it would be possible to have sushi even though we weren't at the sushi bar, they said no problem!  Whatever you want Ladies!  So we did - sushi and chocolate cake!  And of course Dennis came over to make sure everything was ok.  Dennis was our favorite waiter.  If it was possible to get nicer than everyone else, he was.  I think he had a little something something for Robin.  He remembered Robin's name the first day - Deb and I were still just "Lady".

                                            We Had Sushi For Dinner So It's OK, Right??

                                           Smile Dennis, You're With Your Lady Robin