A Journey Back

I'm still trying to achieve a lifelong goal of journaling. I don't know why it's so difficult for me. Maybe it's because I've never enjoyed writing? Or maybe it's simply because I don't think that anyone would enjoy learning about my life? Or maybe it's simply yet another thing to add to a long list of *should do's. I honestly don't know but I do have an honest desire to try to document a little more, simply so I can remember fond memories. Please understand that I'm trying. :)

I'm backtracking and really want to share a bit about our wonderful honeymoon. The idea behind the honeymoon actually goes back years. My dream location to go to for years has been Costa Rica. I don't know why this place has always drawn me in. Whenever I had a bad day, I would always talk about how one day I would live in my hammock in Costa Rica. For some reason weather, nursing and life in general always sounded better in Costa Rica. Joseph always knew how much I wanted to visit. What a wonderful fiance to plan such an amazing honeymoon to make my dreams come true. And let me tell you, my dreams came true on that island; I couldn't imagine spending it with anyone else than my wonderful Joseph!

Departure: Salt Lake City Airport. We left at 11:59 pm for Charlotte, NC.

We may be a little too excited about our new wedding rings!

I can't explain how tired and loony we were when we reached North Carolina. We both slept for a few hours on the nasty floor and then boarded the flight for the beautiful San Jose!

Joseph set up the ultimate plan for our journey! He made sure that not only were we going to different places, we had provided transportation. When we passed customs at the airport there was the cute little guy holding a sign with our names on it. (I've always wanted to have my name on a sign). We boarded the little van for the beautiful Arenal.

Yep, complete with awesome stickers!

We were starving on the drive. The driver stopped at a local restaurant for us. Neither of us had any idea what we were ordering, how much it actually cost, and had no idea what was actually on our plate. I don't know if either of us even figured out if we liked what we were eating. We were so hungry that we just ate and loved every minute of it! (Neither of us got sick so I guess that's a good sign). :)

Next Stop: Arenal at the lovely Magic Mountain Hotel

Our lovely hotel room complete with spa

And more importantly this awesome volcano in our backyard

I couldn't ask for more than this

Except for maybe this

And definitely this!

We went on a hike

Straight up the volcano

Next Stop: Tortuguero

We left the beautiful Arenal to the east coast in Tortuguero. Joseph and I were definitley Gringos on our trip. I was hopeful that Joseph's Portugese and my Mexican heritage could get us by. . .apparently not. We would randomly get on cars, busses, etc having no idea of where we were going. Don't worry, we just followed along hoping that they weren't taking us somewhere to be shot. :)

Tortuguero is in between the ocean and a river. The only way to get there is by plane or boat. Our adventure took us first by boat.

The water looks almost good enough to drink. :)

And all of our luggage fit in those little boats. . .although we may have packed more than the other guests.

Our humble hut, complete with indoor plumbing. :)

Complete with friends along the way!

First time at the ocean as a married couple!

Joseph found this awesome turtle shell along the beach. We were able to see turtles come to shore at night and lay their eggs! It was absolutely incredible. An experience that we will never forget and was completely worth the money to see. Another benefit, I'm grateful that I'm not a turtle. There's no way that I want to lay hundreds of eggs 2-3 times throughout the year. No thank you!

Next Stop: Plane ride to Manuel Antonio

We loved it. . .despite our faces

And the best part. . .no security!

Manueal Antonio

Our view of the beach! So absolutely gorgeous. It overlooked the city and coast. 

What a great shot! I liked the beach too. :)

 We had so much fun on the beach!

So, so, so much fun!

Yep, we did that!

I had nervous pee the entire time.

We loved the entire experience! So much fun to zip line through a rainforest! We also got the experience of zip lining in a rainstorm. (We Idahoan's don't know what real rain is). Needless to say, the camera was put away at this point.

Sadly enough, we did have to leave the tropical paradise. My dreams came true on July, 28th and have continued to soar. I got to share the most wonderful place with the most wonderful person!