Pura Vida en Costa Rica

1 Comment April 13, 2015 This is Life in Color

We now understand why people love visiting this country so much. Over and over we have heard about the great Costa Rican escape and now, having experienced it, we can say that it truly is Pura Vida which translates to “Pure Life”. Naturally, this saying has a much deeper cultural meaning for locals. Essentially, life is too short, so live it with what you’ve been given no matter how little or how much and do so together in Pura Vida style! The people we met in both San Jose and Guanacaste were a true representation of this mantra with their friendly approach and adventurous heart. As if small talk were not enough, Enoc was able to connect with locals on a different level sharing similar Costa Rican passions: coffee and soccer.

Whether it’s the coffee, adventure, relaxation or wildlife, Costa Rica has it! On top of that, your surroundings look like a Jurassic Park movie for crying out loud. And it wasn’t until this trip, that we saw volcanoes that actually looked like volcanoes. This is one of the many reasons Costa Rica has become a popular destination for travelers, honeymooners and retirees all over the world. Although your dollar will mean more colón (local currency), this destination can become quite pricey and in fact, too expensive if you are looking to explore and take on the many adventures and activities available.

Transportation alone is a big deal in Costa Rica and the infrastructure is not what you might be accustomed to. Well, not unless you’re used to riding along the edge of cliffs on unpaved roads for hours and that sort of thing. The anxiety can be overwhelming for some of us. As a result, we were proactive to wear a dramamine patch (for motion sickness) every three days and made sure we were always in good hands. Of course, there was absolutely nothing we could do about the internal flight from San Jose to Liberia (Guanacaste region) on a 10 passenger plane that did not feel safe whatsoever. So, when we were not in tiny planes, we felt very safe throughout the country.

Tip: Although some spots in Costa Rica have become dependent on tourism and English is commonly spoken, learning a bit of Spanish before you visit may prove to be helpful.

During our three week stay in Costa Rica, we spent the first half on an adventurous tour (2 for 1 on Groupon-Monkey Tours) and the other half relaxing in the sun. Besides the first two days in the capital of San Jose, all of our time was spent in the beautiful region of Guanacaste.

We were even spoiled on the relaxation part of this trip and stayed at a gorgeous waterfront resort with my mother-in-law’s associate rate hotel discount (gotta love the perks). Can you believe this was cheaper than airbnb? Well, it was and it was paradise!

Trip Highlights: La Fortuna, Arenal Volcano, Rincón de la Vieja, Hot Springs with Thermal Waters, Coffee and Sugar Cane Plantation, Whitewater Rafting, Zip-Lining, Horseback Riding, Nicaragua, Samara Beach, Tamarindo Beach, Wildlife (I am not too “wild” about this one, but the Monkeys and Toucans were beautiful) and not one mosquito bite! Granted it wasn’t rainy season, but our repellent is pretty good too.

El Casado: Traditional Costa Rican Dish: Rice, Beans, Plantains, Salad, and your choice of chicken, beef, pork, or fish.

We had a fantastic time in Costa Rica and plan to visit again very soon as there is still so much to see and do. Until then, Pura Vida!

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The Land of Lakes and Volcanoes

Leave a comment April 13, 2015 This is Life in Color

Lake Nicaragua (Largest in Central America)

An intense border crossing, bright custom-made maracas, active volcanoes, and a relaxing evening in San Juan del Sur. Yes, the Republic of Nicaragua did nothing but impress. A very enjoyable two day getaway that kept us on our toes. With it’s beautiful scenery and even more inexpensive than Costa Rica, Nicaragua is starting to attract many tourists. After a four hour bus ride from our hotel, we finally arrived at the border. And this was only obvious because our tour guide made it known to us. This place did not look anything like the borders back at home in San Diego. The only thing separating the two countries was a regular 10-foot high chain link fence with a door that had to be opened manually for our bus to pass through. However, don’t let that fool you. Beyond this line, we were introduced to beautiful beaches, distinct wildlife, and volcanoes that take your breath away.

One of our favorite destinations in Nicaragua was the active volcano in Masaya. We were only allowed five minutes in the area due to the possibility of a major ash or lava eruption. For crazy people like us, this actually made it a lot more exciting. Being so close to the crate allows for great photos even though, the sulfur in the air made it difficult to breath. Right after the impressive volcano visit, we headed over to the vibrant colonial city of Granada where we stayed for the night. We were all surprised at the beautiful and unexpected sites such as the cathedral, cobble stone streets, authentic restaurants and traditional local music that complemented the extraordinary time we spent in the city.

A scenic boat ride of the small islands in Nicaragua, called Las Isletas was another great experience. Here, we saw private rustic vacation houses and a few people from the local fishing community. We also spotted many different birds and had an opportunity to feed the monkeys by getting up close and personal.

Before heading back to Costa Rica, we enjoyed a nice lunch al fresco and at one of Nicaragua’s finest beaches, San Juan del Sur. The view was incredible and there was no one else on the beach, or at least that’s what it seemed. It felt like we had it all to ourselves. It was the perfect ending to our trip in Nicaragua. We only wish this stop could have been a full day, rather than a few hours.

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Memorable Moments in Haiti

2 Comments April 6, 2015 This is Life in Color

The Team

Louis-Translator

Virginia Peeps

Ocean-Translator

Kadesh-Villge Champion

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Late night talks

Ninja Fun

Painting

Our project day consisted of painting a local family’s home. We spent the morning painting the interior of the house and the afternoon painting the exterior. This day was one of our favorites! We shouldn’t brag, but our team did a pretty good job (this includes the kids that were helping too). In the end, it was rewarding to see the family satisfied and immensely grateful for their freshly painted new home.

BEFORE

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AFTER

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Pâté

In fact, the family was so grateful, they prepared a homemade snack for us right outside the house while we were painting. We tried to stop them, but the mother in the family (Vanilli), insisted graciously and would not have it any other way. Deep down, we were all so excited she insisted because she was making none other than Haitian Pâté.

Haitian Pâtés are the quintessential street food in Haiti and are a combination of buttery, flaky dough filled with chicken (or meat) and vegetables. Vanilli made both chicken and vegetable of this delicious Haitian delicacy! For those who have not tried it, no further explanation is possible.

Goats

Yes, Goats! Among solar powered battery packs and water filters, we had an opportunity to provide goats to two families as a gift. Goats are an effective source of income in many parts of Haiti. They provide milk, they are used for their meat and they can also be bred. Rest assured, we took selfies before giving them away of course.

: Selfie Attempt

The Itsy Bitsy Spider

Tarantula hunting was popular in the evenings at our campus and we most certainly did not participate.

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Mangos and more

Best mango…EVER!

: Mango Trees

: Plantain

Beach Day

Haiti is such a beautiful country and we took advantageous of every second. On Friday morning, one day prior to our departure, we all enjoyed one last soak in the sun.

My good friend Sebastian and I after beach day…obviously!

Dedicated to our Virginia peeps and friends from Haiti:

After the earthquake, the media invaded Haiti in every way possible. We must respect that this is their life. Thus, pictures and video are limited. Everything we are sharing was captured with permission. For more great moments captured on camera, we invite you to visit the Haiti Gallery (Click Here).

“It’s a Love HAITI Relationship”

5 Comments April 5, 2015 This is Life in Color

An intimate and powerful encounter with God, people and the deepest corners of our heart. We are approaching one month since our visit to Haiti and not one day has passed without thinking about our friends and the need that surrounds their country. Although my husband and I have traveled to many different countries, what we experienced in Haiti was distinctive and special. An experience on a mission trip that lasted only one week but formed a lasting impression on us and provided life-changing perspective.

Did you know Haiti is the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere? We were a bit hesitant to visit the country because there is infinite information online about Haiti and why it is not safe to go. Violence, disease, crime and discrimination are all among the many reasons you can find in almost every source. So, naturally, we thought about it a couple times (especially because of my mosquito magnetism) and decided it was definitely something we both really wanted to do. As a result, we agreed we not to be discouraged nor persuaded by fear. Upon arrival and en route to the MOH campus, where we would be spending the next seven nights, something happened inside of me that I can only explain as a moment with God. An encounter that was so fervent and immediately humbling. I held my husband’s hand and quickly realized that we were exactly where we were supposed to be at that exact time.

Mission of Hope (MOH) is an organization following Jesus Christ seeking to bring life transformation to every man, woman and child in Haiti. We had first heard of MOH about two years ago during one of our church announcements. We remember talking about how it looked like such a rewarding experience, but never thought about it much after that. In early January of this year, a precious family member recommended MOH during our trip to Texas. We received this as confirmation to serve and see what Haiti and MOH were all about. MOH provides food for 91,000 children and students each day, education for 6,100 children and also provides hundreds of families with long-term housing. Today, we can say that it was truly an honor to have been a mere fraction of what this team and organization have accomplished.

Yes, it was really hot and certainly not luxurious living. We slept on bunks with 19 others in our room (men with men, women with women), woke up to geckos on our mosquito nets at times, nearly stepped on tarantulas everyday, showered with very little and cold water, wore long skirts during village time (per Haitian culture) and had no internet access. That last one I kind of enjoyed. Despite it all, would you believe me if I said it was absolutely Beautiful? Our campus (Bercy) was surrounded by mountains on one side and the Caribbean Sea on the other. It took our breath away every single day during sunrise and sunset. In addition, our wonderful team became like family and late night talks/games were so much fun. After a much needed peanut butter breakfast every morning, the team would partner with our MOH leader, Haitian village champion and Haitian translators to begin our day in the village. The village kids recognized the bus and ran up to us every time we arrived. Playing with these beautiful kids was the best and we loved every second, but this was only the mere surface of what we experienced. Our experience was much greater than that.

After the earthquake in 2010, More than 200,000 Haitians died and millions were left homeless. It was the strongest earthquake to hit the region in 200 years. Even before the 2010 earthquake, only 54% of Haitians had access to sanitation facilities. Less than half had a regular source of safe drinking water. During this trip, we had the opportunity to provide hygiene packs to families throughout the village and educate them on how to wash their hands, brush their teeth and ask about their current health concerns/needs to better serve their families and the community. After spending some quality time with each family, we would talk about the unconditional love of Jesus, shown for all of us alike, and prayed for their specific requests. Although many Haitians practice Voodoo alongside Christianity, they were open to prayer and conversation never seemed to be a problem. It sounds so simple, but these interactions were truly special and meant more to us than it probably did to them.

Looking back, I was quite emotional on this trip and it wasn’t because I was sad. Truthfully, it was because I felt such joy in my heart to be a part of something so significant. It was overwhelming to see kids playing with no shoes, on rocks nonetheless, and still full of laughter and life. Women who walk for more than one hour to get water from a pump while still living a life with a smile on their face and believing God will provide. The kindness and resilience that these people possess is uplifting and is a true representation of what we believe: The joy of the Lord is your strength.

Haiti will always be in our prayers and in our hearts. Our faith has increased because of what we’ve seen and experienced in this incredible country. We believe God brought us to Haiti for a reason. Besides the wonderful people we met and miss deeply, there is so much that is still processing in our hearts. Haiti has inspired us to live a life on mission. Our goal is to be aware and available in an effort to experience what we did in Haiti once again. We are so thankful for the vision at MOH and the continuous efforts delivered by so many to make it happen. With greater faith, we believe the best is yet to come!

After the earthquake, the media invaded Haiti in every way possible. We must respect that this is their life. Thus, pictures and video are limited. Everything we are sharing was captured with permission. Don’t forget to see the other post: Memorable Moments in Haiti and check out the picture gallery.

The Caribbean

3 Comments March 23, 2015 This is Life in Color

During our stay in the beautiful island of Puerto Rico, we were determined to visit more of the Caribbean. The most affordable way to accomplish this was ultimately a cruise ship. We were rather excited to find a great deal for a 7-day Caribbean cruise out of the Puerto Rico port. Even though we were not necessarily prepared for this kind of trip, we were definitely looking forward to it. With such culture, beaches, activities, and of course the Rum, who wouldn’t be?

St. Thomas

A relaxing day at, what some may argue to be, the best beach in St. Thomas. We walked to the nearest town at port and hopped on a local Taxi to arrive at Lindquist Beach. The cost to enter the beach is currently $2 per person (keeping it clean and beautiful). This particular beach is highly recommended by locals and is somewhat hidden. Although Megan’s Bay tends to get the most attention from tourists, Lindquist Beach is not crowded and is perfect for those who are looking for some true rest and relaxation (Featured Image: Lindquist Beach).

St. Kitts

A scenic drive around the tropical and luxuriant island was the perfect way to see the many beautiful sites in St. Kitts. We partnered with a local taxi driver, Austin Powers as he preferred to be called, and a few others from the cruise. The streets were a bit crowded because we happened to be there during election week, but once we were out of the downtown area, it was a smooth ride. We made a few stops throughout the day and enjoyed the tropical paradise that surrounded us. Our favorite stops were the botanical garden with the 400-year-old Saman Tree and the highest peak on the island with a stunning view of the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea (featured above). Although we didn’t visit, we hear Nevis (neighbor Caribbean island) is a must-see when visiting St. Kitts. Who knew this island had so much to offer?

St. Maarten

St. Maarten is the smallest island in the world divided between two different countries (Netherlands and France). Both Dutch and French sides have much to offer. A recent tourist favorite on the island has been the runway at Princess Juliana Airport on the Dutch side. Given the extremely close proximity of the runway to the ocean, planes appear to land dangerously close to people on Maho Beach. Although we heard so much about it, we unfortunately did not visit this modern highlight on the island. However, we did spend our day on the Dutch side of the island and explored a unique underwater experience. Water taxi, floating platform, rum punch, snorkeling, sea trek and spectacular views! An exciting day indeed.

Barbados

Primarily known for the birthplace of Rihanna (among us millennials), property ownership by many celebrities, sugar cane, wildlife preserves, and swimming with the turtles, Barbados was by far our favorite stop on this cruise. This island has it all! We took a 5-hour scenic drive around the entire island and stopped in each parish to indulge in the history, culture and beauty that this nation has to offer. Bridgetown is the capital and largest city in Barbados. One doesn’t need to travel far from the capital to enjoy a great vacation. The people and history of the island is what make this destination a favorite for many. The sugar plantations and beaches (Carlisle Beach to be exact) were among my favorites. As for Enoc, after tasting the local beer from each island, he claims that ‘Banks’ beer from Barbados was the best during the cruise.

We hope you enjoyed reading this post. Don’t forget to visit the gallery (click here) to see more pictures from each destination.

Flamenco Beach, Culebra

Leave a comment February 25, 2015 This is Life in Color

Flamenco Beach is rated second best in the world by Discover Channel and is by far the most popular beach on Culebra Island. Tripadvisor rates it at a well-deserved 5 stars!

We drove approx. one hour from San Juan to the Fajardo Ferry Terminal early in the morning. The key to purchase ferry tickets before they are sold out is to arrive at least 2 hours before the first departure time of 9:00 am. The ferry ticket cost is $2.25 each way and you must choose your return option at the same time of purchase. The ferry from Fajardo to Culebra Island takes approx. 1-1.5 hours. It can be a choppy ride, depending on the weather conditions. Upon arrival, taxis are on port and for as low as $3 per person they will take you directly to Flamenco beach.

For the first time, we experienced a true replica of a magazine beach cover photo! White sand, transparent water and the exclusive setting make this beach absolutely incredible! Play the video below to see for yourself! Also, click here to visit the gallery and see more photos.

Guano

Leave a comment February 24, 2015 This is Life in Color

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to walk through a cave in the middle of nowhere? Well, let me clarify. A pitch-black setting filled with bats, cockroaches (3x bigger than normal ones), spiders, and one or two snakes? Needless to say, this wasn’t really one of my lifelong dreams. In fact, I am frightened of any and all living insects/animals in such spaces. My anxiety and fear, related to things of this nature, is quite overwhelming. Most people laugh when I’m scared, or ignore me, without realizing how sincerely difficult it is for me to cope. Quitting has crossed my mind more than once already while in the Caribbean from merely mosquitos, but I refuse and choose to accept the challenge. So, ready or not, sweaty palms, heart racing, head down…I walked through the cave.

In Puerto Rico, there are a few caves and caverns that are highly recommended by locals and are rated quite high on things to do during your stay. You can easily plan a day trip and visit every one of these locations if time permits. My husband and I had a late start and decided to visit only one: the Window Cave (Cueva Ventana). This particular cave is located in Arecibo, Puerto Rico and is approximately one hour from San Juan. The (somewhat hidden) entrance is located directly off the PR10 freeway and next to the Puma gas station. The parking lot is located on top of a small hill on the left. The entrance fee for the Window Cave is $10 per person/plus tax and includes parking and gear (helmet and handheld flashlight).

The 20-minute hike up to the cave is easy. There are a few steps along the way and informative boards that provide neat facts about the surroundings and wildlife. Getting into the cave however was a bit challenging for rookies like us. There are a few downward steps on uneven ground/rock with only a rope and vines that assist and lead to the pitch-black entrance.

From a distance and in the dark, we heard a voice that was telling us to head down carefully. Luckily, we didn’t fall on the way down. The creepy voice happened to be the tour guide that walks you through the cave and explains everything you are hearing, smelling, seeing, etc. I remember thinking: is this necessary? Can’t we just run across this thing and see the window already? After all, there were only four of us that day. The truth is, the cave tour was interesting and this guy knew so much about everything. The problem: He made us stop about three times along the way to provide insight and reminded us not to point our flashlights toward the bats above our heads. How does anyone pay attention to this guy? As he was talking I could hear bats flying above our heads. It was awful! You could see and smell Guano (bat droppings) everywhere. The minute I focused on the wings flapping above my head and saw a critter cross my path, I held on to Enoc so tight and begged him to get me out of there. He said we were almost there and asked me to relax, as if that were remotely possible.

In the end, this was so much more than a rewarding view and I am happy we did it. Cueva Ventana was stunning and provided a neat experience. The cave itself is less than a 5-minute walk before the window (light), but it seemed like a long and dreadful hour to me. My suggestion to the tour guide was to save the lecture for the end and perhaps invest in a zip lining business that would allow visitors to strap on and head to the bottom instead of walking back through the forsaken cave. Joke of course, but I would consider it.

We hope you enjoy the video below and don’t forget to visit the gallery to see more photos.

Vamos a Guavate

Leave a comment February 24, 2015 This is Life in Color

It was a beautiful day in the island in spite of the rain. From what we’ve experienced, rain does not stop the party here. Our friends and tour guides, Jossie & Juan, would tell us that we should not leave Puerto Rico without visiting the Lechoneras in Guavate and Sunday evening turned out to be our lucky day. It was about an hour drive through the city and into what looked like the rain forrest with hills on a curvy and narrow road. Early on, you start noticing kiosk after kiosk on both sides of the road claiming to serve the best Lechon (Roasted Whole Pig) in town. The scene was beautiful and the Anthony Bourdain in us was awakened. Each Kiosk had their Lechon on display along with all the side dishes like the puerto rican classic Rice with Pigeon Peas and the delicious Yuca. Yuca is a potato like root that is cooked in oil with onions, garlic, and who really cares what else…haha. It’s just that good! Juan decided to stop at the Lechonera “El Rancho”. This place was not just a place to eat. There was loud live music, a dance floor, people enjoying drinks, others placing bets on mechanical mini horse races, and if all that was not enough the sitting area was alongside a gorgeous river with the soothing sound of water crashing into the boulders of rocks. Jossie was right! Guavate is a must-see when in PR.

A Day in the Forest – El Yunque

8 Comments February 13, 2015 This is Life in Color

If you ever visit Puerto Rico and do not make a stop at El Yunque, you are definitely missing out! This Forest is without a doubt one of the highlights in Puerto Rico and is located northeast of the island near Luquillo. In fact, it’s considered a main attraction for the United States too. El Yunque is the only national tropical rain forest in the United States and has many visitors throughout the year. For those of you that are interested, the forest is open daily from 7:30 to 6:00 pm and it is FREE (so long as you don’t stop at the visitor center, otherwise it’s about $3)! This spot makes for a perfect family day trip when visiting the island. Click on this link for more information.

The Forest consists of many hiking trails and depending on how adventurous you’re feeling, you have a few options. The trails seem to be simple to moderate, but we were only there for one day and can’t really speak for every trail in the forest. You should know however, that we heard something interesting from our brilliant tour guide (you know who you are). Apparently, there have been many cases where people are lost in the forest and at times never found. Hence, the early closing time. This is just a little something to be mindful about.

We took a day trip to El Yunque and made a total of three stops along the way. Sidenote: There is a map on this post mostly because I am more of a visual person and so, thought some of you may appreciate it. Our first stop was La Coca Falls. There is plenty of parking available and makes for a great picture opportunity. This is a beautiful setting and is an easy stop since it’s just past the visitor center. It must have been a good day because we were told it normally gets really crowded. I started climbing upward, through the rocks and closer to the waterfall for the pictures of course. After all, everyone was doing it. Got a video, couple selfies and we were off to the next stop.

Our second stop was the Yokahu Obervation Tower. The top of the tower offers spectacular views of the forest. You have to make the small sacrifice of going up the stairs to reach the top, but the view is definitely worth it. We were lucky enough to be there on a clear day and could see the Luquillo coast, Fajardo, Culebra Island and Vieques Island from the tower. Such a peaceful place and yet, can be stressful when crowds begin to get in the way of your selfies. Nevertheless, you can’t help but feel inspired when you see something as serene as this. After some great photos, we were back on the main road.

There is really only one main road in the forest, so going on a hike or two while you are there maximizes your time to take in the beautiful plant life you are surrounded with. We decided to make our last stop at La Mina Trail and do a 35-45 minute hike down to La Mina Falls. The nice thing about this hike is that you are rewarded at the end with a lovely waterfall and can go for a swim if you’re up for it. The hike down is partially paved and trails along the river stream that leads to the waterfall. If you listen carefully, you can hear many unique sounds throughout the forest: different bird species chirping, lizards crawling, water flowing, faint raindrops, and the coquí (“ko-kee”). The coquí is a tiny tree frog with a loud, high pitch sound that can be heard from far away. This is considered the Puerto Rican mascot. I didn’t get a picture of coquíes in the forest, but we hear them at the house everyday from the patio. Click play on the audio clip below to hear the unique sound of the coquí.

Once we reached the bottom, we were quite relieved that it wasn’t overcrowded. We were prepared with swimsuits, set camp on a rock (as most do) and enjoyed the transparent and ridiculously cold water. It was literally taking my breath away, but it was worth every second. The way back up was much harder than the way down (especially after a swim). The trail is not even a full mile, but there are steps and areas with steep terrain, which you overlook on the way down because you are so impressed with all the other stuff.

After we left the forest, we ended our day at Luquillo beach and enjoyed some delicious food at the Luquillo kiosks. It doesn’t look like much, but this strip of food stands is a MUST stop for an authentic taste of Puerto Rico. Hiking, Waterfalls, Beach and Food Stands…what more can you ask for?