Finding Our Sloth



You can't go to Costa Rica without going to Manuel Antonio National Park, so we left the rainy mountain and headed for the beach. The single most interesting sight before we reached the coast was this bar we came across just sitting by the side of the road, nothing else in view.  It was time to stop for a beer anyway, so we decided to take a chance and go in.  We walked through the doorway and were astonished.  The entire floor was covered in a mosaic that was obviously done by hand.  It appeared that the entire place was the work of an incredibly talented craftsman.  Even better, the bartender had a video of Alan Jackson playing, so we felt like we were in Texas instead of the jungle.  There was a beautiful deck built in the rear, and it was only feet away from a rushing rapid of a river, running full because of all the rain from the hurricane.  You learn that surprises wait for you to be adventurous.



After our thoroughly relaxing couple of hours at the bar we drove on.  Our next surprise was when we reached the Tarcoles River.  For some reason, this is a hangout for crocodiles.  There are usually 10 to 20 gargantuan crocs visible from the bridge.  Look at these rascals!



We took Frommer's advice and stayed at Hotel Verde Mar at Quepos.  This turned out to be an excellent choice.  Their brochure says this delightful hotel is "nestled in the jungle only a few hundred yards from the jewel of the national park system. World famous Manuel Antonio National Park."  It's just a short walk to the beach via a raised wooden walkway.  We found a great little restaurant just up the beach from the hotel.  An altogether pleasant place to stay.

The Park itself was amazing.  My first realization was that rain forest meant you camera lens was going to get wet!  I just never took the name literally, silly me!  Here is a photo of my friend in the forest.  The sounds of monkeys was everywhere and we became so used to them that we didn't felt was even necessary to look up anymore as they romped through the trees.  And, finally, we saw the three-toed sloth.  It was very high up in the tree, and my camera didn't get a very good shot, so it looks more like someone just threw an old fur coat up in the branches.



The week we spent in Costa Rica was too short.  There was so much more to see.  We have since learned that the airfare is the most expensive cost in travel, so if you're going to pay that, you might as well spend the few extra dollars it will cost to stay two or three weeks, or a month.

What I learned: Travel More! Stay Longer!

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