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To Costa Rica... The wife suggested it. In fact, it was all a part of her big plan. Once graduating from Ottawa University this past fall, Bren had it in mind to reward herself and the girls by packing up and heading for the sun and fun of Costa Rica. I asked... "can I come too?" This would be a third trip. Not interested in Cuba or the Dominican; or really the Islands for that matter, it's the Pacific blue of Central America's coastal ranges which grab me. From busy, hustlin' and bustlin' Mexico, to sleepy and foreign Guatamala, Panama or Nicaragua, the friendly and naturally beautiful Costa Rica just makes the perfect sense for that inbetween. The girls excited to swim in the ocean for their first time, whitewater raft, zipline, shop and horseback ride, and daddy looking forward to all that and some fishing, we booked it!!! Disclaimer: to those looking for just the fishing, it happened on the final day. So if ziplining, animals, tubing, history, rafting and a whole load of adventure doesn't interest ya... scroll down through about 140 pictures and a few videos to Day 7. Day 1. RIU HOWLERS. This past Christmas was the best. For the first time in well over a decade no one had to travel or work, Santa was in da house, and on both my parent's sides everyone was together. To make it even more special, my brother and his wife had their second child, baby boy Ryan early in December, and with my nephew Jack at 1 1/2 years old, it was surely a joy to share the holidays with him. Merry Christmas fo' sho' yo!!! January 9th our family of four boarded a Sunwing flight in Toronto destined for Liberia Guanacaste, Costa Rica. Upon landing, I was pleasantly surprised to find they had built a brand new airport since last visiting, replacing the sticks and grass hut which was there five years ago. Clearing customs in minutes the family hopped aboard an awaiting bus scheduled to deliver us to the Riu Guanacaste Resort at Punta Gorda, in the Papagayo Gulf. A 45 minute drive accompanied by the sightings of white-faced monkeys and some sort of raccoonly beasts, we arrived at the Riu. After a quick check-in the girls were eager to explore the resort. In moments upon stepping to a sidewalk below our balcony, I was reminded of one of the many reasons why I love Costa Rica, it's free and natural wildlife. During our short walk we were quick to spot a few other vacationers enjoying the grounds, including favorite old friends, the iguanas and howler monkeys. Yet the girls were even more excited for something else, the ocean. Pina Coladas for the parents, Pacific surf sunset for the kids, it was time to cool off. Before leaving the beach a local came by and around him a crowd gathered. During the night before he had rescued a number of sea turtles from the gulls, and during the evening dark now he returned to release them. No flash photography allowed it was still a bright experience for us all. A huge feed at the buffet, a comedy show, and some time taken to book a few of our week's excursions with the hotel's tour operator, the family was early to bed. Day 2. PALO VERDE. Tour doods Eric and Jose welcomed us and a group aboard a huge decked out military truck aimed to transport all by backroads through the countryside. On route to a riverboat docked somewhere in the jungles of Palo Verde National Park, by beaten path we would first learn about how the people live, before seeing how the animals do. Punta Gorda to Fildelphia to Bolson the ride took us a few hours, but along the way Eric taught us much. One thing I noticed, is that when stopping in the small villages, swarms of children did not come running for tourist handouts. Unlike other tropical countries, it is against the law for parents to not send their children to school. Education is provided by the Costa Rican Government and it is expected that all youth attend until finishing highschool. Nationally, Costa Rica's literacy rate is nearly double that of the United States, and something they should certainly take pride in. That's why the kids aren't begging, but instead learning. Yet, here we were driving through these remote farmland, mountain range homes. A seemingly quiet and simple life on foot or horse for many of these people. Until turning that next dusty corner and there it would be, a school. A church, store and school make a community. And suprisingly, it didn't matter where you were, there was always community near enough by, plus highspeed internet available for the dummy devices to stay connected to. Access was even much more than that. Every home, no matter where it is in Costa Rica is entitled to clean, running water, and electricity. It is the law. And to me, an incredible thing having some time spent up in Attawapiskat. A country with no National Army to pay for either, the middle-class working professional earning about $1100 per month, and a taxation system so genuinely conservative, the reality is Costa Rica is true to it's meaning "Rich Coasts," and slogan Pura Vida, being "Pure Life." It was Colombus' 4rth Expedition which landed him on the shores of Costa Rica. The first Indigenous he found were clad from head-to-toe in gold and it was thought he'd hit the jackpot, except that when he returned with more European's to seek such riches he learned differently. The land had little gold at all, and neither did the people, but what it did possess is the greatest bio-diversity for an area of it's size within the world. Today 46% of the country is set aside as National Park and/or Wildlife Sanctuary. The means by which energy is produced is much more environmentally friendly as well, using wind, solar and geo-thermal to meet most needs. Micro-Chip technology is the countries #1 export, followed by agricultural goods and then tourism... But a most intriguing thing for me other than being able to drink the tap water most anywhere, is again their taxes. Income tax is minimal, middle-class paying somewhere in the low teens on their earnings. A person's land, house, tools, healthy foods, water and others things deemed necessary to survival are barely taxed as well, some items not at all. It is only things considered luxuries which are taxed heavily. Examples... a vehicle is taxed 87% making a $20,000 car worth $37,000. Cars are luxuries because, the bus system is both extensive, cheap and more bio-friendly. Booze and smokes are taxed up to $250%. A camera to some 40-60%. Though milk, bread and eggs are taxed at about 3%. A computer to be used towards education may be about 7%. A vehicle such as a van or bus to be used to make a living or transport many, will be taxed far less than that car mentioned, and a professional camera such as Nikon D-whatever for potential business purposes will be taxed less than a little Canon Snapshot. Bottom line, the people pay much for luxuries yet little for necessities. Thus keeping consumerism and waste to a minimum while promoting a "greener" homeland. It's a working philosophy. Well... not all things are green though. This bad boy wouldn't pass an E-Test... But driving their cattle through the streets of Bolson, these Hombres here probably make up the difference. The bumpy roadtrip to Palo Verde El Viejo complete, it was time to board a riverboat and see just what birds, animals, reptiles and mammals might be spotted ahead. It's not the Toronto Zoo, not a zoo at all, but admission is about the same. First we saw a few different birds and iguanas, then later came white-faced monkeys, crocodiles (including one about 10-12-feet long), more lizards and birds, a howler monkey, bats, insects, and some jungle mammals fishing, texting and posing along the way. Costa Rica's National Butterfly below. Just one of 17,000+ different kinds found there. An amazing initiation for the girls to the countryside and wildlife, and beat we would retreat in the truck to Bolson for a late lunch in the community center found there. Then afterwards, the trip back to the Riu for a swim, supper and an early curfew, as next day planned would require a good charge of energy.