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Welcome!

This blog is to document our adventures with the camera in Costa Rica.  None of us are professional photographers so don’t ask us about F-stops and lenses, we hope you just enjoy the photos and information here.  The following photos were shot by my sister Carol. thanks!

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Rainbow at Dusk on Volcan Arenal

Rainbow at Dusk on Volcan Arenal

We were in the pool watching as a storm headed our way when we saw this rainbow.  Wow!

The Colors of Lake Arenal

The Colors of Lake Arenal

The lodge where we stayed at Arenal provided a great view of not only the Arenal Volcano but also of the lake, farm lands, and forests below our hotel, and an even better place for taking photos!  http://www.arenal.net/hotel/linda-vista-del-norte.htm

Sunset on Arenal Volcano

Sunset on Arenal Volcano

If you want to take a trip to Volcan Arenal and want to get a chance to see the lava flow, be sure to check the Arenal Area map,  http://www.arenal.net/arenal-costa-rica-map.htm for the direction of the lava flow and the hotels that are in view range.  The volcano often puts on a good show at night.

July 5th, 2009 | Tags: , , , , , , , | Category: Arenal / La Fortuna, Great Places to See, Typical Costa Rica | Leave a comment

Why we love Atenas, Costa Rica

I had been waiting to get all the photos for this post, but Atenas is growing like a weed and as soon as I take the photo it is already obsolete, so here is what I have and I’ll  have to go get photos of several buildings that have since been completed.  Hope you enjoy our little town!

More photos to come

Atenas Sandwich Shop
Atenas Sandwich Shop
Sandwich Shop in new shopping center south east of the Catholic church in Atenas
Red Cross and ambulance, emergency center
Red Cross and ambulance, emergency center
"Who ya gonna call?" If you call 911, the great guys who run the center will show up. They also do collections for disasters in the Atenas area and other areas of Costa Rica.
Farmacia Central (Central Pharmacy)
Farmacia Central (Central Pharmacy)
In the shopping center located southwest of the Catholic church in the center of town.
Our Beautiful Park
Our Beautiful Park
Located across from the Catholic Church in Atenas
The center of Park
The center of Park
This is the center where events are held
Plenty of park benches for everyone!
Plenty of park benches for everyone!
At just about any time of day, you will see people congregating here. Older folks with their newspaper, teens with their friends, children playing, important meetings, casual meetings, this is the place.
Huge old trees provide cooling shade
Huge old trees provide cooling shade
More photos of the park
Antique Road Paving Tool
Antique Road Paving Tool
This Oxen drawn roller was used to flatten and compact the surface of the roads. It is located near the northwest corner of the park
Old time street lights
Old time street lights
Old time street lights and palm trees provide great atmosphere.
More of the park in Atenas
More of the park in Atenas
Green grass, palm trees and a comfy place to sit make this a favorite hangout
Vendor stands at the Central Market
Vendor stands at the Central Market
Vendors at the central market, these offer "fast food" and snacks
Corredor at the Central Market
Corredor at the Central Market
Walkway encircles the courtyard and is lined with small shops selling everything from meat, to garden utensils, to jewelery!
More small vendors
More small vendors
Meats, sea food and jewelry just to name a few
Fresh fruit and Veggies
Fresh fruit and Veggies
This guy has a wide assortment
Huge old Mimosa tree
Huge old Mimosa tree
Huge old tree in the courtyard of the Central Market in Atenas
A bit of this and a bit of that
A bit of this and a bit of that
This store sells a bit of everything, kind of like a "Quick Shop"
The Fresh Cut Flower Vendor, Friday Morning Farmers Market
The Fresh Cut Flower Vendor, Friday Morning Farmers Market
Fresh flowers once a week to decorate your home or office
The Hand Made Toy Vendor
The Hand Made Toy Vendor
Very Cool!
Fresh Fruits
Fresh Fruits
Yum!
Water Mellon
Water Mellon
All year!
Fresh Veggies
Fresh Veggies
Tomatoes that taste like tomatoes all year long
Onions!
Onions!
I like to buy the braided onions, they last longer if you hang them and they are just PRETTY!
Fresh Celery, Chayote, and Sweet Peppers
Fresh Celery, Chayote, and Sweet Peppers
Probably picked just this morning, cant get much fresher than that!
Nursery vendor
Nursery vendor
Sells plants and flowers for your yard or garden, even fruit trees
This is a huge event
This is a huge event
People buy their weekly groceries here, but it is also a place where friends meet and discus the weeks events.
Line of vendors
Line of vendors
Probably 20 on this side and many more than that on the other side
Our Beautiful Old Church
Our Beautiful Old Church
The center of our town as in most towns in Costa Rica.
New Shopping Center, Plaza Central
New Shopping Center, Plaza Central
Located southeast of the Church, there is a sandwich shop, pharmacy, sporting goods store and a couple others.
Another view of Plaza Central
Another view of Plaza Central
Anual Boyeros Parade
Anual Boyeros Parade
From the very young to the very experienced, the Boyeros come from all over Costa Rica to participate in the Parade and show off the traditional (and often still utilized) method of travel and farming.
Young Boyero
Young Boyero
with beautifully matched set of Oxen. Each Boyero has his own colorful hand painted oxcart, a work of art in it's own right.
Another view of the oxen
Another view of the oxen
Did you ever wonder how big they really are?
Did you ever wonder how big they really are?
This oxen's HEAD plus horns, is taller than this young Boyero, and don't forget, there are TWO of them
They dont look so big from this angle
They dont look so big from this angle
but if there is any doubt, please see previous photo
The oxen alone
The oxen alone
Their young handler insisted, they really are magnificent
October 6th, 2009 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , | Category: Atenas, Great Places to See, Typical Costa Rica | Leave a comment

Incredible Trip to the Arenal Volcano!

As promised, here are the “best of the rest” of the photos of our trip to the Arenal Volcano.  We stayed at the Hotel Linda Vista del Norte.  It has a heated pool which is VERY nice when the weather gets chilly and windy as it is prone to do in the La Fortuna and lake Arenal area.

From our base at the Linda Vista, we visited the Arenal Rainforest  Tram.    The tram will take you to the top of the mountain where there are spectacular views and a short nature trail.  There are 3 options for going back down the mountain.   #1 a LONG nature trail.   #2 Zip lines.  #3 Take the tram down.  We opted for #3, but we have photos of the brave souls who opted for the thrill!

We also visited the  Puentes Colgandos (Hanging Bridges in English) from our base at the Linda Vista.   It is a long walk through the park but well worth the hike.  They say the park is wheelchair accessible, and that may be true but  I would NOT want to be the one pushing that wheelchair.  Some of the trails are not wide enough and some are pretty steep, both up and down.

If you visit, please walk carefully and silently, you will see more and so will the rest of the visitors.  Talking above a whisper, running, yelling etc are considered RUDE, it scares the little animals and annoys the other guests…  THANKS!

I hope you enjoy the photos.  Rigo gets the prise for his photo of the “Blue Jeans” poison dart frog  (It is red with blue legs and it’s quite rare to see one!!)  I have TRIED to keep them in some sort of order:

Volcan Arenal in the distance, we are near La Fortuna
Volcan Arenal in the distance, we are near La Fortuna
The volcano looks like it will give us a good show
The volcano looks like it will give us a good show
The light gray area is from recent eruptions
The light gray area is from recent eruptions
The Arenal Volcano is still in the distance
The Arenal Volcano is still in the distance
The light gray puffs of "smoke" will be red streaks at night, if we are lucky we may be able to see them, but this time of year (late May) there are many clouds in the evening.
The light gray puffs of "smoke" will be red streaks at night, if we are lucky we may be able to see them, but this time of year (late May) there are many clouds in the evening.
Welcome to Linda Vista mat
Welcome to Linda Vista mat
Deck area, there is a great view from here!
Deck area, there is a great view from here!
Front entry to the Linda Vista Hotel
Front entry to the Linda Vista Hotel
My sis calls these "Happy Cows" While we were watching, one cow tipped into another one and they fell like dominoes down the hill!
My sis calls these "Happy Cows" While we were watching, one cow tipped into another one and they fell like dominoes down the hill!
Another set of cabins across the valley
Another set of cabins across the valley
The dinning area at night
The dinning area at night
The jacuzzi, kids pool and the main pool, the pool is heated so the water is WARM!
The jacuzzi, kids pool and the main pool, the pool is heated so the water is WARM!
Main pool area, that roof is part of the swim-up bar.
Main pool area, that roof is part of the swim-up bar.
fountains of hot water jetted into the pool
fountains of hot water jetted into the pool
Dinning area with happy cows below
Dinning area with happy cows below
Swan towel sculptures in our rooms
Swan towel sculptures in our rooms
Reception area as seen from the deck outside the dinning room.
Reception area as seen from the deck outside the dinning room.
Reception area
Reception area
view from the deck
view from the deck
Oropendula (Orial) nests hanging in the reception area
Oropendula (Orial) nests hanging in the reception area
Rigo, Carol, Debbie, Terry
Rigo, Carol, Debbie, Terry
deck area with Lake Arenal in the background and Rigo trying to escape the camera
deck area with Lake Arenal in the background and Rigo trying to escape the camera
Taken from the edge of the pool
Taken from the edge of the pool
Taken from below the dinning room
Taken from below the dinning room
These were in front of our cabin
These were in front of our cabin
Taken from our room
Taken from our room
taken from the deck at sunset
taken from the deck at sunset
Taken from the deck at sunset also
Taken from the deck at sunset also
Rigo with a storm brewing in the background
Rigo with a storm brewing in the background
On the deck at sunset
On the deck at sunset
There really IS a storm brewing!
There really IS a storm brewing!
Rigos drink for dinner
Rigos drink for dinner
This butterfly landed on a honeymooning couples table at dinner
This butterfly landed on a honeymooning couples table at dinner
From our room in the morning
From our room in the morning
Debbi and Carol on the deck just before breakfast
Debbi and Carol on the deck just before breakfast
Rigo
Rigo
Sunset off the deck
Sunset off the deck
sunset on Lake Arenal
sunset on Lake Arenal
More happy cows
More happy cows
foggy afternoon on the Arenal Volcano
foggy afternoon on the Arenal Volcano
Pura Vida at its finest!
Pura Vida at its finest!
Volcan Arenal at dawn
Volcan Arenal at dawn
lake Arenal
lake Arenal
Afternoon clouds rolling in again
Afternoon clouds rolling in again
almost dusk on the volcano
almost dusk on the volcano
Rigo on the tram platform
Rigo on the tram platform
Carol on the tram
Carol on the tram
Rigo on the tram
Rigo on the tram
Debbie on the tram
Debbie on the tram
Terry on the tram
Terry on the tram
Tram platform
Tram platform
Gear wheel that pulls the tram
Gear wheel that pulls the tram
Hiking trail on the top of the mountain
Hiking trail on the top of the mountain
Terry with camera ready!
Terry with camera ready!
Zip line... for the brave among you
Zip line... for the brave among you
zio line platform
zio line platform
Zip line guide getting ready to show how it is done
Zip line guide getting ready to show how it is done
Tram cables and supports with Lake Arenal in the background
Tram cables and supports with Lake Arenal in the background
Tram cables with Lake Arenal in the background
Tram cables with Lake Arenal in the background
Looking down from the tram
Looking down from the tram
Tram cars
Tram cars
Tram deck for arriving
Tram deck for arriving
A man and his son from about 30 miles from my home in Missouri, we saw him and his son several times including at the airport when we went to the states for a visit!
A man and his son from about 30 miles from my home in Missouri, we saw him and his son several times including at the airport when we went to the states for a visit!
Rigo looking for cell signal
Rigo looking for cell signal
None over there either!
None over there either!
Jungle flower
Jungle flower
Jungle trail on top of mountain
Jungle trail on top of mountain
along the jungle path
along the jungle path
interesting plant... have no idea what it is though!
interesting plant... have no idea what it is though!
baby elefant ear?
baby elefant ear?
Orchids growing up a tree trunk
Orchids growing up a tree trunk
I dont know what it is, but it is beautiful
I dont know what it is, but it is beautiful
cute little leaves growing out of the log
cute little leaves growing out of the log
Zip liner going by, this is the practice line. It is good they let you practice, did you see that other line???
Zip liner going by, this is the practice line. It is good they let you practice, did you see that other line???
A zipliner contemplates the trip
A zipliner contemplates the trip
Getting ready to zip
Getting ready to zip
Volcan Arenal from the zip platform
Volcan Arenal from the zip platform
on the way back down
on the way back down
Datura, this one is near the lunch stand.
Datura, this one is near the lunch stand.
close up of the datura
close up of the datura
This is the bush... Ticos used to use this in a VERY weak tea for sleeping.. but dont try it, you may never wake up!!
This is the bush... Ticos used to use this in a VERY weak tea for sleeping.. but dont try it, you may never wake up!!
looking below again
looking below again
Carol on the platform
Carol on the platform
The entrance to the hanging bridges
The entrance to the hanging bridges
Very important sign if you want to see any wildlife
Very important sign if you want to see any wildlife
a close up of the part in English
a close up of the part in English
a longggggggg bridge
a longggggggg bridge
a very nice trail, these go all over the park, easy to walk but some parts are steep
a very nice trail, these go all over the park, easy to walk but some parts are steep
I think you can read the sign ;)
I think you can read the sign ;)
this is one of the smaller bridges
this is one of the smaller bridges
Lizzard friend
Lizzard friend
another sign
another sign
and here is the corrosponding bridge
and here is the corrosponding bridge
a tree with roots righ beside the path, it looks like it was trying to catch something
a tree with roots righ beside the path, it looks like it was trying to catch something
The tras barrel, these are all along the trail
The tras barrel, these are all along the trail
The signs speak for themselves
The signs speak for themselves
This is where I saw the MotMot
This is where I saw the MotMot
the bridge around the corner
the bridge around the corner
Many of these bridges have scary names
Many of these bridges have scary names
looking down from one of the bridges
looking down from one of the bridges
empty bridge, these are long bridges and sometimes it seems you are all alone in the jungle
empty bridge, these are long bridges and sometimes it seems you are all alone in the jungle
See what I mean about the names?
See what I mean about the names?
the tunnel
the tunnel
not so scary from this side
not so scary from this side
A vine just waiting for Tarzan
A vine just waiting for Tarzan
There are lots of nice places to sit like this one
There are lots of nice places to sit like this one
Bridge sign.. nicer name
Bridge sign.. nicer name
and the bridge again
and the bridge again
Trees along the trail
Trees along the trail
another sign
another sign
and another bridge
and another bridge
blocks of wood protect the tree from the wire ancoring the bridge (?)
blocks of wood protect the tree from the wire ancoring the bridge (?)
looking down from the bridge
looking down from the bridge
looking out from the bridge
looking out from the bridge
on the other side is a waterfall
on the other side is a waterfall
Its a jungle out there!
Its a jungle out there!
we walked down to the waterfall.. it is quite steep though
we walked down to the waterfall.. it is quite steep though
closer still
closer still
the MotMot
the MotMot
Ginger flower
Ginger flower
a TINY orchit about the size of a dime
a TINY orchit about the size of a dime
here is a clump of the same orchid hanging on a thin vine
here is a clump of the same orchid hanging on a thin vine
Rigo at the bottom of the waterfall
Rigo at the bottom of the waterfall
Rigo about to scoop up some of that cold fresh water
Rigo about to scoop up some of that cold fresh water
Terry and Rigo near the bridge to the waterfall
Terry and Rigo near the bridge to the waterfall
This is where Palmito comes from, one of the workers pointed this out to me
This is where Palmito comes from, one of the workers pointed this out to me
interesting bug
interesting bug
This is a sloth, and this is why they are so hard to see, their fur is the same color as the leaves due to moss and algea growing on their fur.
This is a sloth, and this is why they are so hard to see, their fur is the same color as the leaves due to moss and algea growing on their fur.
Mister lizzard again, close up of one below
Mister lizzard again, close up of one below
This butterfly has wings that are perfectly transparent from one side and blue and orange from the other... amazing
This butterfly has wings that are perfectly transparent from one side and blue and orange from the other... amazing
Baston de reina, the colors are almost shocking!
Baston de reina, the colors are almost shocking!
almost invisible, another lizzard
almost invisible, another lizzard
flutterby on a flower
flutterby on a flower
This is a different butterfly from the opaque side
This is a different butterfly from the opaque side
another angle of the same butterfly
another angle of the same butterfly
purple flower
purple flower
maiden hair fern, the pink one is a new leaf
maiden hair fern, the pink one is a new leaf
my transparent butterfly again
my transparent butterfly again
here he is again
here he is again
a good shot of a blue jean poison dat frog.. way to go Rigo!
a good shot of a blue jean poison dat frog.. way to go Rigo!
a GREAT shot of the same frog... wow!! Rigo gets the prize for this one
a GREAT shot of the same frog... wow!! Rigo gets the prize for this one
Here he is again
Here he is again
almost at the end.....
almost at the end.....
this is the bridge where the workers showed me the sloth... got to be nice to those workers, they know where everything is!
this is the bridge where the workers showed me the sloth... got to be nice to those workers, they know where everything is!
very old tree
very old tree
huge tree roots supporting many different kinds of life
huge tree roots supporting many different kinds of life
The Arenal volcano from one of the bridges
The Arenal volcano from one of the bridges
Leaf cutter ant entrance
Leaf cutter ant entrance
facinating plant
facinating plant
abandoned bird nest
abandoned bird nest
mushroom along the trail
mushroom along the trail
August 1st, 2009 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Category: Arenal / La Fortuna, Flora and Fauna, Great Places to See, Rain Forest, Typical Costa Rica | Leave a comment
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