Day 5 Tamarindo / Peninsula Papagayo

Bueno dia! Before I forget, for church Sunday, we listened to Don preach on the i-pot and then had discussion. We loved the lesson and wanted to give a shout-out to TDG.

Leigh here... Kelli is in the spa trying to get her feet fixed. She has six toenails left! We've decided that when all her toenails have been ripped off or otherwise removed, it will be time to return to the U.S. SO, we've made an executive decision that she should lay low today because we'd like to stay here! Not here exactly...

While the Four Seasons is something to behold, luxury beyond luxury, we're more Ginger and Maryann than the Howell's. Let me share a few things we did yesterday and the picture will paint itself. Ronnie, a friend of Chino's, drove us out here to the Peninsula! He was very joyous. The three of us sang reggae and 80's songs the WHOLE way here - laughing and dancing the entire time. Awesome! When we crested the mountain which leads to the Four Seasons, you could see the isthmus from 5,000 ft through the tropical forest. The sight was majestic. So much so that Kelli almost cried it was so incredibly beautiful. I needed a restroom very badly and also wanted to cry. ; ) This place is extremely private and remote. Exquisite. So what did we do... Juju will not be surprised. We did laundry, swam around gorgeous coves on the playa, had our ears candled, then ate dinner in our bathing suits. OHHH. The hot tub in the spa is outside up on a hilltop over looking the Pacific Ocean. Now that was tuanis! We then retreated to our room to veg. Oops... I sort of left one part out. Importante. Kelli left her passport in Tamarindo, so when we got here, we immediately began trying to figure out how to get it... and that's before we even knew if they could find it back at the Diria. I was of course worrying and stewing over what we should do. Kelli was not worried at all and said let's just go the beach and not fret. We met in the middle and e-mailed our friends in Tamarindo. Long story short... they sent her passport with a taxi driver. It arrived around 9:00 last night so I guess we no longer have an excuse to stay past our departure date. Oh well. Maybe those toenails will stay on and we can too!

This morning we had a driver take us out on the Peninsula where we photographed the ocean and monkeys! It is amazing how the animals are just roaming around doing their thing We saw white faced monkeys and howlers. I called up a big family of howlers beside the road. They were swinging in the trees and chatting with us in monkey speak. A bit later at breakfast, Kelli and I discussed the morning events and I very excitedly proported my happiness that the I can call up monkeys like Elmer Fudd calls up turkeys. Much, much to my surprise and crushed feelings, Kelli gently told me that farmers just down the hill (beyond my view, but she documented on film) were making the monkey calls. Now it makes sense why the driver kept looking at me and suggesting I come over there where he and Kelli were standing. Needless to say, we're having a blast!

A group from Eli Lilly is here for an awards trip. It makes us both on edge to see "worker" people. We're much more into the surf towns and locals... we really like being a part of the Costa Rican culture. The Tico's are just our speed. No worries... just sit back and let life happen in right in front of you. Love it!

Bye for now loves!

P