VACATION TIME

I have had fun reading everyones' blogs about their family vacations. It certainly brings back many memories of our family vacations. Since moving to Costa Rica we seem to take them quite frequently, but they are still fun and memorable. The above picture is at Samara beach last October. That was a fun trip. Not necessarily a vacation, but a nice sight seeing trip.

The definate most memorable trips were the ones we planned with the kids and worked and saved for. One year we took the youngest two to Disney Land. That took lots of planning and saving, but was a blast for all. Another year we went to Yellowstone Park. Because we were camping that one took a little extra planning and saving.

One of the favorites was a trip to Hawaii with two of the youngest kids. We spent a week on the big island and it was a great trip. The thing with that one was again the money saving. We saved and joined a vacation club thing that helped.

We have also used our income tax refunds for trips. The problem here is these aren't happening anymore because all our deductions grew up and left home! Also because we don't make any money, which sure makes it easier at tax time to be sure!

Another idea is to use credit counseling and use their help.My advice as an old timer? Take vacations the memories are all you have once those little deductions grow up and go out on their own, that and the pictures of course!

ANOTHER EX-PAT DOWN HOW MANY MORE TO GO?

I receive the morning news from a.m. Costa Rica. This morning front page was about a Dutch guy over on Nicoya, near Samara who was robbed and murdered in his house, protecting his wife! He has lived here for over 20 years and probably felt pretty safe over there.
It appears they were drug people, they seem to be taking over the neighborhood on the coasts. I hope it takes awhile for them to spread to the Valley as I pretty much like it here :) Also Nicoya is supposed to be a really beautiful place and the druggies should have to stay in the ugly places! Don't really know of any of those here in Costa Rica but I'm sure we could set up some for them.
They did mention in the article there was another forced entry in Samara a week or so ago. That is a pretty place also, we visited there last year. The problem with all the robberies is in who is going to want to visit the beaches if the robberies continue? If people don't feel safe they are not going to vacation there.
That is pretty much what happened to the Caribean side, people not quite feeling safe there. We have always felt safe when we visit Puerto Viejo, but we don't mind people trying to sell us drugs all the time. We have never had a problem telling them no and they leave us alone.
Of course we always have the baby with us and here they do respect that, usually! Crazy goings on down South for sure.

MANUEL ANTONIO BEACH

I love Manuel Antonio beach! It is my favorite beach so far in Costa Rica, and believe me we have been checking them out. We even took our christmas card picture there this weekend. It was beautiful at the beach and we enjoyed teaching and just hanging out.

There are many beaches here in Costa Rica and we have checked out many.

We also like Puerto Viejo, which is on the Caribean side of the country. It is very laid back and a little bit more affordable.

On the Pacific side we have visited Jaco, Punteranus, Samara, as well as Osa Peninsula. We did not care for them as much as MA. They are a little more crowded and more expensive. There are as many beaches as places people are coming from to choose from though so there is lots to pick from. If you would like more info or help planning a vacation feel free to contact us, we love to share Costa Rica with all!