Here are some photos from my March 2004 trip to Costa Rica, which was
shared with my wonderful brother and sister. Awesome people, and dedicated
Liberals like myself. It's great to take a trip with enlightened people who share
your basic life philosophy and core beliefs. It's even better if those people are
your siblings, and one of them speaks the native language *and* carries a tour
guide book with a detailed map. You rule, Sis! We spent practically every minute
of a week together and the only thing we found to disagree on was whether or
not Jaco Beach was dumpy. It was two males against one well educated and
assertive female, so I think it was a draw.
 This little gem of a beach was in Manuel Antonio, one of Costa Rica's many national
parks. The water had to be over 80 degrees. Pretty much perfect, in my opinion.

 

 Sand piper.

 

 Another shot of the beach with volcanic rock formations off shore.

 

 

 

 These parrots were in a "zoo" for abandoned or injured animals, but they
weren't caged, and seemed to be free to leave. It's hard to believe those
intense colors are natural, but I'm almost certain no one painted them.

 

 

 

 

 A calm section of the river on which we white water rafted. Great fun, but a bit tense when my
brother got thrown from his boat in the rapids. No harm done, though.

 

 White Faced monkey in the wild. There were quite a few of these in the trees. They
seem to get around in the trees better than most animals get around on the ground.

 

 Alligator by a river.

 

 Bats on the low side of an overhanging tree.

 

 Poison dart frog, named so because it secretes a very toxic poison which is used on the tips
of darts that are then shot through a blow gun to kill amimals for food. One of the locals claimed
that if you handle this frog, then touch your eyes, mouth, or an open wound, you may very well
die. The little guy is only about three quarters of an inch long, but apparently, packs quite a punch.

 

 Unidentified cool looking flower.

 

Another one of those.

 
 

 

 Iguanas. We saw quite a few of them.

 

 La Paz waterfall. Notice the walkway on the left near the top.

 

 I got a kick out of the way the old bridge was left to rot when the new one was
built. Another four years of Bush, and we might be engaging in similar cost cutting
measures here in the U.S.

  This is an Owl Butterfly, sporting fake 'eyes'  to confuse predators.

 

 Sun rays in the morning mist. This was the view from our breakfast table, and the air
temperature was perfect.

 

Sunset on the Pacific Ocean.

 

 One of Costa Rica's many beautiful views.

 Martino's was the nicest hotel I've ever set foot in, and we got to stay for only $120 a night. Excess
was everywhere, but strangely, there were very few people. We pretty much had the entire place to
ourselves. They even had body wraps and massages, along with a beautician, and of course fine dining
and gambling. A huge assortment of Cuban cigars were on hand too. They were displayed in an incredible
climate controlled wood and glass wall unit in a room with an eight foot slate pool table that was a work of
art in itself..

 Beautifully detailed ceramic tile work was abundant, as was incredible woodwork and fine furniture.

 

 This is the hotel gym. It was cleaner and better equipped than many health clubs, and we had it to ourselves.

 

 My brother and sister at one of Costa Rica's many road side fruit stands. We got lucky
and arrived during harvest season. That may have been some of the most flavorful fruit
I've ever tasted.

 My sister and brother arriving at Selve Verde, our first hotel, which had several four room cabins
connected by elevated and covered wooden walkways through the jungle. My sister found and
booked this one. She was pleased to learn that my expectations were exceeded.

 
 

 

 The owners were thoughtful enough to supply these stylish boots for hiking in the rain forest.