| Kayaking & Tabacon Hot Springs  Tanya's Daily Scoop CURRENTLY IN: COSTA RICA Good Day and a Happy “what day is it anyhow”?! Let me tell you, I can wake up anywhere in the world and know where I am, but ask me what day it is and I literally have no clue…I mean I could guess. But when every day is a funday, you start to just not know anymore. Our first day waking up in Costa Rica was just lovely. We woke to the sight of this huge Volcano right out our window. Albeit the clouds might’ve been covering the peak, but it was there alright! Breakfast was on the lovely terrace - which you should know are my favorite breakfast locations - open terrace dining with amazing views!  (c)travelincousins.com We caught glimpses of some amazing birds and were lucky enough to catch snapshots of a few of them! Could you even image just seeing Toucans fly by?! I mean is this life real or am I dreaming?!  (c)travelincousins.com  (c)travelincousins.com I got to work out on our balcony with this same insanely awesome view!  Blogging away! (c)travelincousins.com Then it was time to go on our first adventure - Kayaking! Yes this was the second kayaking trip that I’ve had this week. Talk about me being a kayaking rockstar!! Anyhoo, enough about me - what am I saying, this half of the blog IS all about me! So off we went down to Lago Arenal and caught up with a kayak built for two and were off… Let me start out by saying - at the beginning of this adventure, the water was rough. I seriously thought we might capsize and I was so happy that the guy who rented us the kayak explained that there were no dangerous animals in this lake. Thank God!  Alittle kayaking! (c)travelincousins.com  (c)travelincousins.com  (c)travelincousins.com After making it back to the land safe and sound, we had come across a trail of leaf cutter ants and the were just as busy as can be! We also came across a field or guavas, which Dave was quite happy about. The next stop was heading back to our hotel for lunch and then back out to stroll about in La Fortuna.  (c)travelincousins.com Where on the way, we had come across some more animal sightings! What FUN!!  (c)travelincousins.com  (c)travelincousins.com  (c)travelincousins.com I was expecting arriving into La Fortuna to bring me back memories of my first visit to this town. But aside from the church, it was as though I was visiting this town for the first time ever.  (c)travelincousins.com  (c)travelincousins.com  (c)travelincousins.com  (c)travelincousins.com And then last but certainly not least was one event that we were both looking forward to - soaking in the thermal hot springs at Tabacon.  (c)travelincousins.com  (c)travelincousins.com  (c)travelincousins.com  (c)travelincousins.com  (c)travelincousins.com  (c)travelincousins.com  (c)travelincousins.com  (c)travelincousins.com  (c)travelincousins.com  (c)travelincousins.com  (c)travelincousins.com  (c)travelincousins.com After wandering around the grounds, choosing several different pools and features to soak in, it was time for dinner at Ave Restaurant - which was FANTASTIC! I will be doing a Foodie Friday Featuring all of the Costa Rican foods that we’ve been trying out - so keep a look out for this. Oh well, I should hit the hay - we got a busy day tomorrow! You are not gonna want to miss it! Ciao 4 now, -Travelin’ Tanya | Amalfi Coast & Tabacon Hot Springs  Elisa's Daily Scoop CURRENTLY IN: LONG ISLAND, NEW YORK Well hello there! Here on Long Island we have been having the most gorgeous weather! Sunny, dry, breezy and in the upper 60's F. In fact, both yesterday and today, the temps were in the upper 50's early in the morning. No A/C needed last night! As both my beloved cuz and daughter are having a blast in other countries, I have been making my way to the gym each day and Kelsey has joined me. I haven't had such daily consistency in a while, so I'm going to try to maintain my streak!  Workin' out (c)travelincousins.com This morning I actually woke up at 4:30 and had a little chat with Gianna as they were heading off to Naples, Positano and Sorrento.  Starting her journey (c)travelincousins.com Here are some pictures of her day - they walked around, ate some seriously yummy looking food and they went on a boat ride. Unfortunately, Gianna's friend's dad got seasick, but in she, fortunately was chilin fine, in her own words.  (c)travelincousins.com  (c)travelincousins.com  Zucchini Pesto Pasta (c)travleincousins.com  Chocolate Almond Cake (c)travelincousins.com  Strawberry & Lemon Gelato (c)travelincousins.com Lake Arenal & Tabacon Hot Springs, Costa Rica Now, I will move from the Amalfi Coast, Italy to Costa Rica, Central America to talk about Lake Arenal and the Hot Springs. As you were able to tell, Tanya did some serious kayaking and exploring with numerous animal sightings!! I just LOVE the photos of those beautiful birds!! Did you know that according to Richard Garrigues, author of the 440-page long Birds of Costa Rica Field Guide* there are more than 900 species of birds in Costa Rica?  This publication, available on Amazon, is described as "the only compact, portable, and user-friendly field guide the novice or experienced birder needs to identify birds in the field in the diverse habitats found in Costa Rica. It features descriptions and illustrations of all 903 species definitely known from Costa Rica, including pelagics and species regular to Cocos Island." These photos that Tanya took are amazing, wouldn't you agree?  (c)travelincousins.com  (c)travelincousins.com Since you have seen the many photos of Tanya up close and personal on Lake Arenal and at the Hot Springs in her column, I wanted to provide you with a little insight into these two destinations. Lake Arenal is situated at the base of the Arenal Volcano in the area of the northern highlands of Costa Rica. It is the country’s largest landlocked body of water, with a surface that covers nearly 33 square miles and a depth that reaches some 200 feet. With that kind of depth, it's no wonder that Tanya and Dave were required to wear life vests!  (c)travelincousins.com According to CostaRica.org, "From 1972 to 1976, a huge earthen dam was built, resulting in the creation of Lake Arenal. Once the hydroelectric dam was finished in 1979, Lake Arenal was 3 times bigger than it was originally." From Lake Arenal, Tanya made her way to the Tabacon Hot Springs where she enjoyed a wet and wild day in the Hot Springs!  (c)travelincousins.com According to the experts (for which Tanya certainly is now!), one of the most luxurious escapes to be enjoyed in the heart of Costa Rica, is Tabacon Hot Springs. Situated at the base of Arenal Volcano is The Tabacon Resort & Spa, surrounded by lush rainforest and natural hot springs. The story of this resort is really very cool as it came from the creative imagination of Costa Rican born Jaime Mikowski, a trained and board-certified architect. The official resort website describes how In the late 1980s, Jaime fell in love with a very special land at the base of the majestic Arenal Volcano, where several unique streams of hot mineral water ran through a marsh. He convinced the local owners to sell him a share of the land and spent the next few months persuading friends to invest with him on a wellness spa concept centered on the idea of a natural encounter. Taking the area that was once the Tabacon pools complex, his vision was brought to reality which included reforesting the existing pastures that surrounded the pools and restaurant. The river was given form so as to transform the marshlands and have them resemble what it could have been like before cows ever grazed these lands. The result was that over 200 species of plants began to thrive AND the pristine thermal waters now flowed into waterfalls and hidden bathing spots. Jumping to 1993, a small spa was built, and Tabacon opened as a day destination. The expansion continued, and in 1997, Tabacon expanded with 42 beautifully appointed guest rooms. This marked the official beginning of Arenal as an international destination. Today the resort embraces 900 acres of lush tropical reserve, home to Costa Rica’s largest network of naturally flowing hot springs with a world-class hospitality experience. Certainly seems like a go-to place to me for anyone visiting Costa Rica! And of course, Tanya can now attest to its beauty and the luxurious experience Tabacon offers!! Well folks, that's it for now!! Till next time, -Travelin' Elisa |
