50 golden years of matrimony. That’s how many years my parents have behind them and to commemorate their marital longevity, last month, both my sister and I helped to put together a trip to celebrate their marriage, family, love and a bit of adventure.
It had been around 15 years since the Cap’n and I had been to Costa Rica and we were quite overdue to visit some long-time friends living the dream over there, so when my parents suggested that they wanted to go for their anniversary, we jumped on the opportunity for some Pura Vida.
With a wide range of interests and abilities within our group of nine, planning was the most challenging part of the entire trip. Keeping kids entertained (even the adult kind) proves to be more difficult than one would think and the more people you have when planning a vacay, the more it becomes like herding cats.
The request list included fishing, surfing, river rafting, horseback riding, zip lining, hiking, beaching, visiting volcanoes etc… Arriving in the dry and windy season made some activities more accessible than others and there were a few trips that were canceled due to unusually high winds (Oh, the accompanying pouting that ensued). We were not to be deterred. With the exception of deep sea fishing, most requests were able to be met and the gracious local Ticos were incredibly accommodating.
For the first two nights, the Cap’n, girls and I stayed in Monte Verde at Casa Cielo in the Cloud Forest and it didn’t disappoint! Living amongst the clouds afforded the opportunity to see some of the most incredible rainbows we had ever laid eyes upon. Landscape windows in our mountainside cabina allowed us to wake each morning to gorgeous sunrises complete with the calls of monkeys, colorful toucans and parrots passing through. Even the misting rain, which is pretty constant when living in the clouds, didn’t stop our zip lining experience and practically guaranteed we would sight those crazy-perfect rainbows no matter where we went!
One of the trip highlights was a very educational tour of a coffee/cacao/sugar cane plantation. Just the mere mention of chocolate and the kids snapped to attention! We were taught the ins and outs of coffee selection, the differences in roasts, storage, brewing and a host of other coffee connoisseur information. While we are far from barista status, our minds have been opened to the world of coffee for certain. Our guide also shared with us the opportunity to see and taste cacao fruit and seeds in their fresh, raw and fermented forms. The children were invited to grind the raw cacao nibs and mix them to make a granular, delicious condiment that resembled damp coffee grinds. It can be eaten as is, sprinkled like a desert topping, added to baking or smoothies and endless other ways. We are now officially addicted and I’m on the hunt for a grinder of my own so we can replicate this amazing treat.
We left the lovely cloud forest on a four to five hour drive from the mountains to the west coast in Guanacaste where my family from California met us at our rented villa on the hillside near Coco. Here, we commenced with checking off our week-long agenda of adventurous activities: surfing at Tamarindo beach, volcanic mud bath at Volcan , zip lining, horseback riding, waterslide and natural springs at Hacienda Guachipelin, a 6 + mile hike at the Rincon de la Vieja to Catarata la Cangreja (Crab Waterfall) and of course, plenty of happy hour and beach lounging 🙂
The evening of my parent’s 50th Anniversary was held at the Father Rooster Restaurant in Coco, hosted by the owners who are our dear friends. Sunset, sandy toes, champagne toast, delicious food, family and friends. Nothing could have pleased my folks more than to be surrounded by their children, grandchildren and friends.
The fireworks that ceremoniously went off just as we were toasting? No one knows for sure who arranged them but maybe it’s simply the magic that happens when you reach such a milestone in your life.
living off the chart 