47 Days

Tuesday:  Waking up at the Blue Conga after staying at places that were not so nice was delightful.  They served us breakfast outside under a big shelter that had cute little tables and stools that looked like tree trunks.  Breakfast each morning consisted of eggs and toast, a fruit plate (which was always made up so nicely) coffee and orange juice.  It was always just the perfect amount.  Not too much to make you feel stuffed, but just enough to satisfy and get you going for the day.

We had talked to the owner of the hotel the day before and were convinced that we should visit the Jaguar Rescue Center.  So, we got up and went to the 9am tour so that we wouldn't waste our whole day away.  We got to see all kinds of snakes, monkeys, sloths, butterflies, little alligator things, and a margay (endangered cat).  The funniest part of the morning was that Dan would tell us an interesting fact about one of the animals or something he had read, and then 10 seconds later the guide would say verbatim what Dan had just told us.  Hopefully she didn't think we were laughing at her :/

All of the animals there had been brought because they were hurt or had been abandoned as babies.  The people at the Jaguar Rescue Center help to get the animals back on their feet and teach them how to survive on their own.  Once they are old enough, they are taken back out into the Costa Rican Rain Forest.

Don't worry, He's in a cage!

Isn't this guy cute! (The lady was our guide)

Sloths are the weirdest animal...and yes they do move THAT slowly!

I really wanted a butterfly to land on my finger.

All morning had been kind of cloudy, but after lunch the sun came out so we headed to the beach.  We drove to one beach and then hiked through a rain forest for about 30 minutes to the beach we had been at the night before, Punta Uva.  It was beautiful seeing the beach from on top of the Point.  (Why the place is called "Punta" Uva)  For the rest of the afternoon we just played in the water, and relaxed on the beach.  There was also a tire swing on a tree right behind where we were, so I took full advantage.  If you didn't know, swinging used to be one of my favorite things to do.  As I found out from the tire swing, it still is!

Kristi, Me, Jess: On our way to the Beach!

Once it started getting dark, we headed home and showered up.  We didn't know where we wanted to go to dinner, so we just started walking along the beach road.  We entered and left a few places and finally ended up at a great little "soda" (little restaurant).  The food was delicious and the price we perfect!  While we were waiting for our food, Jess, Kristi and I walked over to the store next door to do a little browsing.  I tried on a dress (I really wanted to buy one all week), but Jess said she didn't think it was the best color for me.  I wanted to try on another one, but when I looked at the tag and saw the size I was shocked....XL.  It fit too.  They didn't have many more XL sizes, at least none in the colors I liked.  Something must be wrong when I am wearing a XL.

We walked home happy and full.  First full day in Puerto Viejo was wonderful!