La Fortuna is a fun little town at the base of the Arenal Volcano. The following are pictures of the house we rented for a couple of days, and the beautiful grounds surrounding it...
The house was right across from a nature reserve
It was located in a little gated community
Our rental car which was a tight squeeze for 6 adults and all our luggage
Cobblestone walk-ways
Outdoor patio off of kitchen
Massive Bamboo trees on the property
Lovely pool and hot tub
Pool bar and kitchen
Kitchen and bar all lit up
Relaxing in the hot tub
Living room
Large master suite on the main level and mahogany spiral staircase leading to two more master suites on the second floor
The guys just chillin on the large covered balcony on the second floor
Dining area
Large kitchen with huge granite island
Our first night in La Fortuna we went to a recommended restaurant "where the locals go" which was also the cheapest place to eat in town,
but you wouldn't know it by the delicious food!
Our waiter was the best!
Matt doing what he does best, speaking Spanish with complete strangers as if he's known them his whole life!
The next day we split up in order to get all the things done on our wish-lists!
Since it happened to be Valentine's Day, Deb and Les spent half the day at a Day-spa,
where they soaked in the natural hot-springs, and ate the most amazing food.
Deb even ran into this Sloth
who was just hanging out on the Spa grounds!
Matt & Brei and Brad & treated ourselves to massages, but somehow things got lost in translation and we ended up with a little more than just a head and foot massage that we originally wanted (Brei's message was a little rough, and I felt like a greased-pig, but at least Brad got his wish).
We had fun shopping at the numerous vendor and souvenir shops, weather it was window shopping or buying trinkets for our kids. Above was one of Brad's personal favs, a very heavy oxen yolk.
Some of my favorite things were this huge snake,
and this itty-bitty manger scene in a tiny little basket!
This t-shirt about sums up the mentality of Costa Rica (and why we love it so much!)
And since it was Valentine's Day we didn't feel one bit guilty eating gelato for breakfast,
and bakery goodness for lunch!
AND hand-dipped chocolates for our snack!
We made sure to buy some chocolate for Deb and Les too!
We enjoyed exploring much of the town,
especially this old church right in the middle of town and the surrounding grounds with the most unique foliage I have ever seen (other than the Rain-forest)...
After a fun-filled day we worked up quite the appetites!
Feeling a little sugared-out, I went for the chicken caesar salad, which was really good!
Everyone else equally enjoyed their meals, but unfortunately we had to inhale our food in order to make it on time for our Rain Forest Night hike (top of my wish list!)
The night hike (which was really a walk) was located right across the street from our house at the Rain-forest Reserve. I thought we would see a few more snakes and creepy-crawlies, but we did see a good number of tree-frogs, spiders, and truly the most interesting foliage I have ever seen...
I just need to give photo cred's to Brad, who took most of these amazing pictures with his phone! I told him he should get a job taking pictures for National Geographic!
Red-eye Tree frog
Red-eye Tree frog blowing air into his vocal sac.
Red-eye Tree frog's uncle
Since the red-eye tree frog is the only frog I could identify, I took some liberties and named the other frogs...
Cutie little frog
Hole-in-the-rock frog
Chameleon frog
Fancy-face frog
Crocodile
Snapping Turtles
Spiders, spiders, and more spiders...
Katydid (how anyone saw this in the dark I really don't know!)
And now for the most unique foliage ever...
(banana flower)
Pink velvet banana or Musa Veluntina
Calabash fruit from the Jicara tree
My favorite, Shampoo Ginger, when you squeeze it the softest most fragrant water comes flowing out, and the pedals have a rubbery plastic feel.
There were many Shampoo Ginger plants (which goes by other names as well).
Red Torch Ginger
Two more flowers in the Red Ginger family
Parrot Flower Heliconia
Wild Heliconia
Brunfelsia, or Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow, because the flower changes color from purple to lavender to white
Common Lantana
Sensitive Mimosa plant, touching it causes a spray of water.
Another type of Sensitive Mimosa
Pochote Tree that has a trunk covered in sharp spines.
Many Tarzan-swinging vines
Beautiful labyrinth of the inside of a plant. I also saw numerous Rain-forest Orchids that are prevalent in Costa Rica but unfortunately I didn't get any pictures of them.
Costa Rica is not only a chill place to vacation, but it is truly a horticultural and geological beauty!
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