Costa Rica! April 13-21, 2005
Day 9- They're never coming back!
Just kidding! The trippers are going to miss hours in the pool playing water volleyball, playing keep-away from the teachers, and/or just floating leisurely. Everyday brought a new adventure.
According to Maari, "This is the first year in the history of spring trips that we have been able to allow the children to consistently sit in their own groups during meals. Normally, they'd always sit with their designated teacher. This group has shown amazing self control and maturity."
The trippers ended by going to Curu National Wildlife Preserve where they saw Howler Monkeys!! You could hear their haunted calls from miles away.
A few last words: Luye M. has shown team work and good social skills. She is learning when to enter & exit conversations. We had a tripper celebrate his birthday, Brendan R. had a party with cake, disco and balloons. Ben D. was the proud winner of a poker game. Alex M. wowed everyone with his imitation of George Carlin. He's gotten a lot out of the trip, it's been a real gift. As always, Charles K. is having a lot of fun and is a real pleasure to be with. Dylan H., and the rest of the gang, have been sipping virgin pina coladas.
Day 8- Lonely Planet, describes Costa Rica as “Central America's jewel. It's an oasis of calm and an ecotourism heaven, making it one of the best places to experience the tropics with minimal impact because of the enlightened approach to conservation.”
Joshua B. and Henry H. are like fish in water. Brendan R. and Brendan H. are receiving their quota of speech therapy for the year because Vikas is their chaperone--just a joke! Matthew M. has become much more involved and active, in addition to playing lots of UNO. Michael H. got a sunburn, but it is improving nicely.
James P., a high schooler, and Tristan G., an elementary schooler, have become like brothers who playfully tease and "wrestle". You should see Tristan's smiles from ear to ear! Steve F. is famous for a song written for him by the group...ask him for the words when he returns!
In the past few days trippers have had an amateur night where kids sang, danced and told jokes. They also saw an entertainment show where kids got up on stage with Sponge Bob and Bart Simpson. They've also played mini-golf and had a sand castle contest on the beach!
 | Days 6-7, Pacific Aerial Tram Tour of Rainforest- We were expecting to see monkeys, macaws, & lizards, but no luck. We did see 3 different levels of rainforest. We saw amazingly tall trees, some of which were poisonous. We took a short walking tour of cages of indigenous snakes. We learned that size does not equal power because the snakes ranged from large & harmless to the small & deadly! Michael D. & Christopher S. are debating with Maari whether birds have complex thoughts. |
Large appetites have returned! Charles K. and Austin C. are competing to be the winner with the best appetite. Trippers are beginning to experiment with native foods, by trying papayas and mangos. Zahra S.G.'s art has been connecting her with other students. Kevin R. is going back in time to experience the 1960s by embracing the “Mr. Ed show.”
Eric W.R. is hoping to find the last dinosaur and went searching with a group of older students on a nature walk, that took him over a rope bridge.
Features of the Barcelo Tambor hotel:
6 kilometer-long beach, swimming pool with waterfall, children's playground, theater offering nighttime shows, a gym, tennis courts, soccer, basketball, handball, volleyball, board games, darts, ping-pong, card games, croquet, windsurfing, boogie board, kayaks, shuffle board, diving, horseback riding,
9-hole golf course, book exchange, ecological park
The Weekend- The Barcelo Tambor Hotel is beautiful beyond belief.
We're having a great time getting to know one another.
The bus trip was super luxurious. Latin American cultures really know how to travel well by bus. Along the route we ate at a restaurant on the beach, where we lingered over our delicious meal and then had to rush to catch our ferry. The trippers passed the time by playing games. While on the second leg of the bus trip, Jennie E. led us all in a sing-a-thon. Alex M. passed around a drawing pad, that was embellished student by student, adding up to a beautiful collage.
Austin C. is having a wonderful time making new friends & loves the pool. Maya S. is a 9 year old social butterfly with a magnetic personality. Brendan H. has been very compassionate and caring and is getting along especially well with Arjun L.
The Barceló Tambor Beach is situated on Bahía Ballena, in the Puntarenas province on the Pacific coast of Costa Rica. The resort has been described as the best in the country, located in a natural, incredibly beautiful setting.
Day 3- Their adventures yesterday sound very interesting! Renee Lochridge is sending dispatches from the field:
We visited a butterfly conservatory where it was a common occurrence to feel butterflies landing on you. "I will never forget the butterfly landing on my nose!", says Erika G. The butterflies were "very colorful," says Daniel D. and "quite interesting," says Steve F.
At the Hummingbird Sanctuary, Max K. was able to touch one! "Two hummingbirds flew into my face," says Hannah R. Tristan G. said, "The hummingbirds remind me of the golden snitch in the Harry Potter series."
At the Poas volcano the view was clouded by mist which the trippers were calling "nature's lotion." We were up so high the altitude made some feel like "deflated balloons." The volcano is considered one of Costa Rica's extraordinary scenic beauties. While there we also saw a plant called "Poor Man's Umbrella" the biggest leaf in the rainforest. Each leaf can grow over 7 feet in diameter.
Last but not least, a select group of athletic students went on a hike where they saw four waterfalls. The 2.5 mile trek was very steep in some cases.
Maari says, "the morale of the children is cheerful. Students are being very responsive to direction. The new kids are great and those who've been on trips before are icing on the cake."
Today's journey begins with a continental breakfast to fuel another 5 hours in transit. Two hours by bus, 2 hours by ferry, followed by 1 more hour by bus with arrival to the Pacific Coast & Gulf of Nicoya.
This is the view on the ferry ride over the Gulf of Nicoya. Approaching the Nicoya Peninsula they'll pass little islands inhabited only by birds.
Day 2 - After a VERY, VERY long trip, 41 New Yorkers set their feet on solid ground in San Jose, Costa Rica. Report from the field:
"From the airplane windows kids noticed 'the exotic mountains.' Seren H. described the view as 'breathtaking!' After a quick dip in the pool, we went to dinner and ate traditional Costa Rican cuisine of rice, chicken with mushrooms, beans, salad, coconut balls, potato and cheese filled balls and fresh fresh fruit. Then, we saw real traditional DANCING!! Thomas F. describes the dances as 'an image of romance.' Ryan N. said the dancing was 'fun and exciting.' EVERYONE went straight to sleep afterwards with no problem at all!"
Today's Itinerary includes a visit to Poas Volcano and La Paz Waterfall Gardens.
Day 1 - Currently they are in transit to San Jose.
According to American Airline's web site, both the Flight out of NYC (#953) & the flight out of Miami (#937) left late. Oops! Do you think that could have anything to do with a group of 30 kids and 12 adults? Maybe/Maybe Not. They called in, and said they've just been hanging out and talking together. Sounds like the students are already getting a lesson in being patient while stuck in airports. The good news is that the weather today seems great for flying.
The trippers will probably be exhausted when they arrive at their hotel, The Herradura. They can look forward to dinner at Tiquicia restaurant, described as having authentic Costa Rican meals with marvelous view of San José. The restaurant is located in San Rafael de Escazú, a typical Costa Rican pueblo of Spanish Colonial heritage, surrounded by mountains. Escazú offers an interesting mix of countryside beauty and city attractions.
The Zocalo in downtown San Jose, Costa Rica.
