Costa Rica - Day 1

Amy and Jason, amazing hosts and tour guides, suggested that we make our first full day in Costa Rica for the kids. Jacob and Olivia were such troopers on the long trip Friday so it was a perfect suggestion. Since this was our second trip we didn't have that burning desire to venture off into the jungle immediately upon arriving so it was okay with the adults too!

We started our day with a yummy breakfast of Amy's pancakes and spent some time catching up. After getting settled we headed out to Parque Nacional de Diversiones, a Costa Rican amusement park (http://www.parquediversiones.com/). This amusement park donates all of its profits to the National Children's Hospital of Costa Rica. It is similar to Disneyland in that it is broken up into different sections. We spent the majority of our day in the section called "Pueblo Antiguo" or simply "Old Town".

Pueblo Antiguo is very much like San Diego's Old Town. It has different buildings representing life in Costa Rica from the late 1800's and early 1900's. We had lunch at a typical Costa Rican restaurant and even got to see some local animals on the farm. The kids also enjoyed riding a few of the rides and watching a parade. This was certainly a fun place where we could have spent many days exploring but it was fun to focus on the section native to Costa Rica.

We wrapped up our evening with a stop at POPS (our favorite Costa Rican ice cream shop) and the AutoMercado (supermarket). The kids had an impromptu dance party in the kitchen and then once they were in bed the adults had a wonderful (AKA "quiet") dinner together. Amy made a delicious homemade tortilla soup and after that the girls visited while the boys played Backgammon.

Upon arriving at the park the kids were greated by this friendly tiger.

The entrance to the Old Town section of the park.

Every once in awhile we remember to take a family shot. Here we are in front of one of the old fire trucks.

In the middle of the plaza was this old fountain. Around the fountain were frogs spitting water and the kids had a blast making the frogs squirt at each other.

Jacob really thought he'd be able to push the girls in this ox cart. We didn't have the heart to tell him it was bolted to the cement. He's convinced he really was able to push it a little bit.

Sophie was so excited to show our kids her favorite rides.

The girls loved riding on the little bugs.

Jacob was too cool on the kiddie roller coaster.

We ate lunch at the restaurant in the background and then the kids wanted to try out the cool rock chairs and table.

Amy and Jacob at lunch.

Jacob with one of the parade characters.

While touring the farm we saw the usual animals goats, cows, horses, chickens, pigs, ducks, etc. The kids favorite was the giant iguanas which we don't find roaming around San Diego like they do in Costa Rica.