Christmas at Carara

Christmas Eve found us out on the road rolling south towards Cerro Lodge. We bade the pups farewell and took off for an adventure with our friend Joe who is visiting from Rhode Island. It was mid afternoon when we pulled up at the souvenir stands that herald your arrival at the Tarcoles River. We made our way out onto the bridge but the tide was super high leaving little of the sand bars for the crocodiles to sun themselves. A few massive reptiles had just their heads showing. Lots of construction in the area and constant change. None really for the better.

Having bypassed lunch to keep driving, the buffet at the crocodile restaurant was looking pretty good. We had the chicas at the steam tables overload a couple of plates containing a wide variety of Costa Rican delicacies. From platanos is to chicharrones, we sampled a bit of almost everything there was behind the glass cases.

Then it was on to check in at Cerro Lodge. Jessica took care of all our needs and we were soon settled in our cabinas. Went for an evening swim with Joe in the chilly pool then the three of us sat outside talking until the mosquitoes drove us inside

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Christmas morning had us up early getting our gear together for a hike over at Carara National Park. Merry Christmas to one and all. Hope everyone had a fantastic and peace filled holiday. We met up with our guide Tonio at 7:00 and followed him into the forest. He spotted us animals we would never have noticed on our own. Walking sticks, a wide variety of birds, monkeys and a peccary that Joe spotted moving into the brush.

We returned to the cars early and followed Antonio over to the beach at Tarcoles to see the scarlet macaws that come every day to eat almonds from the grove at the beach parking area. Tonio left us there and we wandered around the beach and park area by the trees. Absolutely beautiful sunny day.

We returned to Cerro Lodge and exchanged a few small chotchkes and gifts out on the front porch. Everybody got a little something to know they are special and loved. Then it was free time; reading, lounging and hanging out.

In the afternoon, we all met back up at the pool for a dip and more reading before heading into the restaurant as the sun went down to order custom pizzas from the chef. Nice slow moving evening to round out our Christmas celebration 🥳