Costa Rica Living: Highlights

1- Sea Turtles

Walking late at night on Playa Real ( Pirate's Bay) beach and watching sea turltes exiting the ocean to lay their eggs. Truly unbelievable. We followed their tracks to the edge and watched a turtle dig a huge hole where she would lay her eggs. You have to be very careful not to use a flashlight or point it in their eyes or you blind them. Afterwards, they would hurry back to the ocean and about 3 weeks later, the little ones hatch and make their way to the water.

2- Fiestas and Bullfights

A typical local meal: chicken, rice, beans and homemade tortillas.

Hitting up the local fiestas to watch bullfights, eat delecious costa rican food : aroz con pollo and savour the amazing churos (Nickys FAVORITE dessert).

Joe's usual look: where's more drink????

Torro - many injuries occur and the ambulance is always nearby.

3- Beach Time

Countless walks on all the gorgeous beaches around from Playa Grande, to Playa Real, to Playa Flamingo: then there's Playa Negra and Playa Avellanas. All nice beaches and offer different things from surfing to swimming. And yes the undertoes and rip tides can be very dangerous so you really have to be very careful.

4- Surfing surfing surfing !!

Luc during his 1st surf competition- he won his first heat and division and ended up winning a medal. Not bad for a beginner, hey??

Kids' first very own surfboards!

What muscles !

pfff baby waves that day ;) -nicky

5- Our 1st Car !

Buying our very first vehicle/a real Trooper (1995)

It only took 12 hours to consommate this deal: from paypal, to laywer's office, to driving one hour away to return our rental car, but in the end we have our new baby and now, everyone wants to buy it from us. Ha ha for them...... it drives like a mac truck and has 5 gears and yes Nicky will also learn to drive this beast.........:)

6- Tamarindo Easter Festival

Our family volunteered today to run two huge bouncy castles at the local town Easter festival run by the church we've joined. It was so much fun for all and exhausting for mom and dad, but the kids got to bring home baskets full of goodies.

<--- This is how we punish the little hamsters : we put them in giant balls, let them run like hell on water, until they finally fall flat on their face.... haha hehehe

Problem is...they love it ! (Luc's in the pink ball)

7- Our Beautiful Home

This is the main house with the outside living room and built in table.

<--- The view from the top level which has some chairs. (By the way, this is Louise's favourite spot)

The morning coffee nook --->

<--- The casita for our guests- even has a separate entrance on the right for the bathroom.

The pooool --->

Sunset

8- Pig Roast with the Locals

Had the chance see a live pig roast done by the locals ! Starting with the stabbing....all the way to eating the poor thing. The occasion was the return of our friend's son, Alex from being 2 years as a missionary. Their church friends brought the pig, we made a pasta salad and everyone brought food. It was indeed a fiesta, including the whole butchering. Joe even bbq for everyone....