Every New Beginning: Honeymoon

Costa Rica

Usually I post everything in the order as it happens so that the most recent event is first. For our recent honeymoon to Costa Rica I have done the opposite. Because of the vast number of pictures and excitement I decided to post day by day starting with our first day.

I can't even begin to say how wonderful this trip was for us. We had a terrific time --- seeing, experiencing, laughing, adventuring. It was amazing.

Saturday - We're In Costa Rica!!!

We arrived in Costa Rica mid afternoon following a direct flight (because our connecting flight was cancelled) from Charlotte. We were like kids checking out the beautiful scenery on the way to Occidental Grand Papagayo, the all inclusive resort we chose for our honeymoon.

Once there we checked in, met with guest services to get the 4-1-1 on our stay, began to familiarize ourselves with the property/wildlife/breathtaking views, watched a Gamecock baseball game, had calamari spaghetti for a late lunch, enjoyed dinner in the Buffet, and began to relax! We were finally on our honeymoon vacation in a beautful (if hot and humid) location.

Liberia airport

Costa Rica

riding in the open air truck taxi to our room

gorgeous pool area

view from our room

the Pacific Ocean off of Costa Rica

watching the Gamecocks play!

a quatrafoil fountain in the main lobby

Sunday - Resort Day

On our first full day we enjoyed the amenities at the resort itself. We had breakfast, toured (which means lots of walking), went to the beach, spent time at the pool, had dinner at the Buffet and enjoyed sunset and the Gamecock baseball game from the Royal Club.

The Occidental Grand Papagayo is absolutely beautiful and it is such a wonderful resort.

view from the resort

beautiful beach

the wildlife even hangs out at the pool

listening to the Gamecocks play

Sunset from the Royal Club

love all this wildlife....he was hanging over my head

homeboy hanging out on the Royal Club roof

Our bed at the turn down on night 2

Monday - Romance/Couple Day

On Monday we decided to take advantage of some of our honeymoon perks. We started with breakfast in bed, we booked our tours for the rest of the week and then we were off for a couple's massage in the huts near the beach. Those were awesome because we could hear the ocean, the birds, nature as we relaxed.

We then split a cab with Jessy and BJ, a couple from Houston, to go to Playa de Coco, a local beach town. There we wandered through shops, had lunch at Papagayo Seafood and walked around the small village area. We returned to the resort for a rest, dinner and then dancing with several couples we had met. It was a FUN, FUN, FUN day!!

breakfast in bed!

we got colonnes back from paying for our tours

Playa de Coco

macadamia nut pesto, seafood pasta at Papagayo Seafood

the babies

These little critters are too cute

This little guy really wanted to come in our room....we were feeding her grapes!

Rose petals on the table and a special dessert for our romantic dinner at The Italian.

I took this picture of Glenn (he was in all white) at The Disco....this is exactly how it came out and I think it is so cool!

Tuesday - Exploring Costa Rica Day

On Tuesday we ate breakfast and then headed to our bus for a morning zip line tour. We got there suited up, hopped up on the platform and zipped down the first line. AND....I freaked out. I loved the zipping part. I hated the handbreaking with a guy not paying attention to tell me when to brake and landing on a metal grate strapped to a tree 10 feet in the jungle that moved! I refused to go any further and so they zipped us back where we listened to and watched the howler monkeys while the rest of our tour finished.

We returned to the Occidental for lunch and afternoon at the beach. That was so super relaxing and beautiful. Glenn snorkeled for a while and while doing so lost his wedding ring! Unfortunately, it is now floating somewhere in the Pacific.

After a few hours we showered and got ready for our evening tour....a sunset boat cruise. The down sides: the company was an hour late to pick us up and it was storming on the mainland so not the best sunset. The up sides: it was still beautiful, Glenn and I were together and it was COOL!! (Finally, temperatures we liked!)