Fishing

On our last day, we did a fishing charter. The local guides got a kick out of our excitement with our first catches. We were SO HAPPY to catch these bait fish. 

Then the REAL fish starting coming in. Gorgeous Mahi.

We had to work really hard to bring these bad boys in.

It was the best fishing day, ever.

And, then Dad caught a tuna!

The guides cleaned and cut them into filets right on the boat.

Ryan thought it was very cool. I did not.

It was the perfect ending to a great week!

Catamaran

The snorkeling trip was another awesome adventure.

First, you take a dinghy to the big catamaran. Then you sit back and enjoy the view.

Yes, we did get in the water to snorkel. Yes, Mom got a wicked cut on the bottom of her foot from the rocks and it wouldn't stop bleeding. Yes, she hid her panic well. No, she did not take any pictures during this trying time. Here is a shot of Dad and Ryan swimming back to the boat. And a boy's hairy chest.

To be honest, the best part of the day was people watching. Hairy Chest Boy and his High Maintenance girlfriend were having an epic relationship meltdown.

We definitely spied on their conversations below deck, and also laughed watching their friends have a very rum-good time above deck!

We haven't laughed this hard in a very long time!

The sweet lady sitting nearby said we were the cutest family she had ever met. She said we looked like we actually enjoyed being together. Mom almost cried, it was the nicest compliment anyone could have ever given us.

Playa Conchal

For the end of the week, we trekked to the Pacific coast area, Playa Conchal.

We basically left the jungle for a beautiful desert coast.

There were giant iguanas everywhere,

and howler monkeys in the trees.

In the afternoons, you could find the monkeys eating mangos in the tree and throwing the the leftover pits down.

Or napping.

The Costa Rican version of a squirrel mixed with raccoon was the adorable coati.

It was our first experience with an all-inclusive resort. The fire-throwing man show was a big hit!

Nobody wanted to cooperate with Mom's effort to get the Christmas card photo here.

One night a friendly couple took a sunset family photo for us, and Mom thinks it's the best!

Ironically, family vacations are usually very stressful for parents. But this week, even our parents had fun! 

River Raft

Lazy river tour was a success.

We saw so many cool things in the trees, like bats.

We loved everything except the iguana that pooped on my leg.

Mom and Dad thought it was sooooo funny.

The white faced monkeys were the best.

Just hanging out, living their life.

At the end of the trips, they take you to a local farm, where you get to eat delicious fried plantains and drink fresh papaya juice. 

And see more iguanas the size of medium dogs.