Cafe Britt Coffee Tour

We'd heard many friends highlight the Coffee Britt tour as a "must-do" activity, and after participating we definately concur. It's a fun, engaging, drama production that showcases the ever-important coffee industry for Costa Rica. It's located in Heredia very close to our home base and the gardens are beautifully located amidst a coffee plantation. The kids really enjoyed the hands-on learning that really impressed upon them the history and art of producing coffee. Brad and I remain non-coffee drinkers, although the pressure is heating up!

Costa Rica's largest coffee producer.

Outside the restaurant and gift shop, you'd be amazed the different industry products they make (chocolate covered coffee beans, tons of different coffee flavors, wine, candy, drink mixes, clothing, jewelry, art, etc) definately tailored to the tourist industry. We enjoyed a wonderful typical CR lunch; tomatoe soup, gallo pinto (rice & beans), fajita style chicken, sauted vegetables, tortillas, salad, rolls, fruit juices and fruit for dessert.

Gabi enjoying the ride.

Lisa and girls checking out the grounds.

The girls finding some pets on the farm. Gabi wasn't so sure of the goats and chickens, watching them very carefully.

Then she warmed up and became a tour guide.

Part of the drama tour, checking the quality of the collected coffee beans.

Admiring the beautiful gardens! We never tire of our amazing surroundings.

CR Independence Day- Sept 15, 2009

Lincoln school Independence Day parade

Gabi is the youngest member of the parade.

Lisa and friend Tati

McKenna and friend Meganne

McKenna's friend Luciana

and Nichole

Gabi plotting to get my camera

such fun costumes, Tatum is at the rear

Tatum carrying her lantern

Our next door neighbor Valeria

Gabi waving to Tatum as she passes bye

McKenna and Meganne

Rebecca, Amanda and Tatum

Tatum

Tatum with her teacher Miss Kathy

Gabi at home getting ready to head to school

"Isn't anyone else coming?"

finally the sisters arrive

so cute and seemingly so innocent!

Our Caribbean adventure to Puenta Uva

Banana grove, the blue bags are protecting the bunches of banannas. We passed many on our way to the Caribbean, a very pretty crop.

Port of Limon, where most of the cargo by ship arrives and there are many shipyards with stacked containers as far as the eye can see.

captured some pics along the way, it took us about 3-1/2 hours to get there from our home inlcuding a couple pitstops. We travelled together with our neighbors, it was fun to follow them and learn of all their local favorite spots.

This was our 1st sighting of the Caribbean, it's called the pained beach as many of the palm tree bases are painted bright colors.

Arroz con Mariscos (Seafood fried rice) was my favorite dish and it was beautifully presented.

An outdoor night club at a boutique luxury hotel, The Cameleon, where we enjoyed cocktails one evening, the entire hotel was "white" which amazed me, I'm not sure how they keep it clean! It started to rain heavily so our cocktail hour extended quite some time :)

Taty, Gabi and Valleria lounging in one of the comfortable spots.

Our neighbors, the Loria family.

Gabi started laughing when she saw me sitting in Brad's lap, and then quickly pushed me out....clearly she considered this her territory!

Outside our bungalow we'd rinse off in our private shower after heading in from the beach, this was one of Gabi's favorite spots since it was perfect for her reach.

Amazing how long she could entertain herself with a little water, we had to drag her away!

Mari Paula, Taty, McKenna and Valeria enjoying the Ocean. The water was very warm, clear and there were many bays so we all enjoyed lounging in the water. We snorkeled also, seeing many colorful fish right off the shore.

Beautiful views from every direction, it's amazing to see the vegetation come right up to the beachline, it's very cozy, lush and private. Very different from the Pacific CR coast that doesn't have nearlly the vegetation and tends to be a much drier climate.

Outside our bungalow, the Foulger clan.

Burying each other in the sand took some time and was a bit tough getting them out but certainly entertaining for the kids!

All the girls except Gabi took a turn :)

the humidity added even more curls to Gabi's locks.

Gabi loved the sand, and the sand loved her with traces staying with her for days!

building sandcastles came next

It took Brad going into the ocean with Gabi for her to get comfortable in the shallow pools which surprised us all since she's such a water baby but she was a little wary in the beginning.

our beach hangout, walking out from our bungalow it was a straight shot to the beach.

Ville Caribbe, our bungalow from the front.

Our view out the back of our bungalow, trail leading to the beach.

One of the very lush mountains we climbed over to get to the Caribbe. We did hit one pocket of heavy rain for about 30minutes, I was sure glad Brad was driving as it was hard to see anything! Even the kids were holding their breaths! Other than September and October, it's the rainy season here on the Caribbean year around.

We were glad Gabi sacked out during our carride :)

Especially McKenna and Tatum!

View we saw most of the trek there, very green and lush.