Monkey Seekers
Today was our first excursion day. A nature kayak tour on
a river to see birds, monkeys and crocodiles.
Although we won’t be winning anytime soon on Survivor as
a family-we did pretty well on this adventure! We had the morning to ourselves
and hung out a lot at the pool, went for our fave burgers and then played in
the waves
Then at 2:30 pm we were ready for our “pick up”. Odd that
there was not even one space in his van for us as he carries 6 kayaks and so we
were told to take a taxi! A little sketchy start to the trip…
Then he bossed us around a lot going over and over how go
to get in and out of a kayak. I mean seriously how hard is this? We kayak all summer
but he did not seem to believe us much. The first part of the expedition before
us even leaving we saw a huge crocodile-right beside where our kayaks were
parked!!! My Protector did not believe it was not fake and plastic until it
opened its big mouth and moved. It was real.
Then a 50 mins kayak ride through bayous like in
Louisiana it felt like. Jungle like rivers and through the wind. It was damn
exhausting. Chase and Beauty in one. Me and Hubby in another. Bear alone (as he
has by far the most endurance as does competitive kayak). We were so so tired
and prayed that there better be some good monkeys ahead. I am not sure sure we
are destined for safaris!
And there were monkeys! So so so cute! Pics to come at
end of vacation. And they made the cutest little sounds too. Then we went on a
nature hike for about 45 mins our family and a mother and her teenage daughter
and the guide and learnt about rodents and bark and coconut shells and crabs.
It was fun to watch our children in nature so simply like this-they really
enjoyed the hike. After a few true thorns in our shoes we went back to the
kayaks and looked up and there was a TRIBE of monkeys!!! OMG!! Babies on mama’s
backs, papas, sisters and brother monkeys. At least 12-15 it was wondrous and as
unexpected as the first place we saw them so much further away from us and so much
fewer. This was a real and rare treat the guide said.
Then we kayaked all the way back in the sun. Saw a few
birds and then the boys were thankfully there to help the guide lift all the
kayaks into the truck and put their big muscles to good use. We got a lift home
from the mommy/ daughter couple as there was clearly no room for us in the
truck. We had a swim and then discovered the hot tub which we did not realize before
had hot water in it.
Tonight will be a movie and pizza in the condo night. We
love having a condo vs a hotel room. Will be hard to transfer over soon to all
5 in one room. Condo life is perfect for us. We buy tons of foods and eat and eat.
Tonight was crackers with sharp cheddar, fresh mango and the best olives in the
world. Yummy.
Soon Hubby and Beauty will go do all errands (bank, car
rental for tomorrow, milk, pizza and chocolate) and I will go for a nap. One good
thing about losing my career so recently is that pretty much my whole family
feels super sorry for me so I get to sleep a lotJ
Tomorrow is Flamingo Beach and a new area to explore
before the 4pm surf final lesson. And then Wednesday we are off to another part
of Costa Rica for many more adventures.
I ADORE VACATION. As I navigate my next steps career wise
one of my goals will be (has always been this but now I have the chance to prove
I can do it): Is to make a lot more money in a lot less weeks and months of
work. Money to travel often. I love it. So does our family. My dream and goal
will be to take them often with us as adults with their children and pay for
them to come. Sounds ludicrous on the salary I had as not possible. But in my
future career? This will be my goal.
I want to start living life in different ways than before. It's funny how change has a way of catapulting you against your own will into places undiscovered.
It's time to try out a new way-full of nature and monkeys.
