Sunset Skywatch Friday

One of the best sunsets I have seen was during our Costa Rica vacation in Guanacaste. Our hotel was ocean front so we didn't have to go far to see the sunset.

This is also my Weekend Reflections entry. And to see more wonderful shots visit here on Friday:James Weekend Reflections.  Thanks to James for hosting this fun meme.

                                        A closeup

The color seem to change when I zoomed in closer with my camera.

To see more skies click here Skywatch Friday and thanks for stopping by.

Also thanks to the hosting team of Skywatch Friday: Fishing Guy, Wren, Sylvia, Sandy and Klaus

Guanacaste, Pacific side of Costa Rica

The last two nights of our stay in Costa Rica was a Marriott resort in Guanacaste. The beach was lovely and the resort was awesome. The header shot is a sunset from our first night there.

Skywatch now follows this post.

                               Infinity pool at the resort

Some of the Howler monkeys in the trees near the beach

These are some of my scenic shots from the Pacific side of Costa Rica, to enjoy more beautiful scenes from all over click here Scenic Sunday

Thanks for stopping by and thanks to the Holleys for hosting Scenic Sunday.

Another Costa Rica skywatch

I am still going over my photos from my vacation in Costa Rica. One day we stopped at a Coffee Plantation for a luncheon. Beside the luncheon, we were treated to a show of the local dancing and we could walk on a trail thru some of the coffee plants.

We were treated with nature's show a beautiful rainbow at the coffee plantation.

                      You can click on the photo for a larger image

Thanks for stopping by to view my skywatch and to see more beautiful skies click here Skywatch Friday

Also, thanks to the hosting team of Skywatch Friday.

Costa Rica oxcarts

During my trip to Costa Rica we stopped in a quaint artisan town called Sarchi. It is known for its beautiful arts, crafts and souvenirs.   It is mostly recognized for the lovely painted oxcarts. The largest and and oldest oxcart factory is found in Sarchi.

Each oxcart I saw looked like a beautiful piece of artwork. They are highly ornate and elegantly carved and painted with beautiful bright colors. A national symbol of Costa Rica, the oxcart played an important role in the country's history. The oxcarts were used to transport coffee beans to the markets. If you should visit Costa Rica, Sarchi is definitely worth a visit. And wouldn't it be cool to have one of these oxcarts in your yard.

This is my Scenic Sunday post and to see more scenes from all over please click on my link. Thanks for stopping by and thanks to the Holleys for hosting Scenic Sunday.

A Tortuguero sunrise.. Skywatch Friday

During our trip to Costa Rica we were up early for the sunrises. At Tortuguero, Costa Rica we were able to watch the sunrise on the Caribbean Sea. Our room was just a short walk away from the beach. These are shots of the first sunrise on the Laguna Lodge beach.

On the shot below I like how the suns rays are shining above this cloud. I did not adjust any light on this photo but the colors got more intense as the sun was rising.

I was able to catch more of the sunrise's reflection on the water on this photo below.

It turned out to be the start of  another wonderful day. Thanks for stopping by and thanks to the hosting team of Skywatch Friday

Tortuguero, Costa Rica sunset

On the third day of our Costa Rica vacation we were driven to the boat dock where we then taken by boat to our Tortuguero Laguna Lodge. We spent two nights at Tortuguero. Our lodge in a National park that is located between the canal and the Caribbean Sea. It was also a  great location for the sunrises on the Caribbean, the wildlife and birds were amazing. But, the first evening we sat and watched the sunset near the canal and listened to the howler monkeys. These are a couple of my sunset shots that first evening of our stay.

Click for a larger image

Thanks for stopping by my blog and thanks to the hosting team of Skywatch Friday

Costa Rica..Watery Wednesday

A visit to the Baldi Hot Springs was included in our trip and tour of Costa Rica. It seemed similiar to the water parks we have here in the states. There was even a water slide. The difference being some of the 30 pools had HOT water, we saw signs at the pools ranging from 102 to 152 degrees. They recommend cooling off the the colder water pools. The Baldi Hot Springs are safely located out of the risk zone of the Arenal Volcano. My hubby enjoyed them, but the only hot water I like is in the bath tub. I had to take a shot of the Volcano while I was walking around the lovely gardens they have on the grounds.

Thanks for stopping by my blog and thanks to 2sweetnsaxy for hosting Watery Wednesday

Costa Rica. Fortuna

Hubby and I recently spent ten days in Costa Rica on a Caravan tour. Two of the nights were spent at a great location in Fortuna. I am going out of order these are days 5 and 6 of our ten day vacation. Our room had a great view of the Arenal Volcano. Of course most of the views were cloudy but it was still a beautiful view. I would wake during the night hoping to see the top of the volcano clear so I could see the red glow from the lava.

One night I woke to see a small cloud over the top of the volcano and an almost full moon. My picture does not come close to the actual sight.

Check out my Costa Rica birds at http://viewingnaturewitheileen.blogspot.com/2010/04/costa-rica-birdpart-two.html

Thanks for visiting my blog and to see more wonderful scenic sights go and visit the Holleys at Scenic Sunday

Costa Rica

On the first day of our Costa Rica tour we were met at the airport for our transfer to the San Jose hotel. Our home for the first two nights of our tour was the San Jose Barcelo. At the welcome dinner and briefing, we met the rest our group of 42 nature lovers and our tour director. By this time, I was anxious to start the tour and to enjoy the wildlife and the beautiful Costa Rica paradise. Our nine night, ten day vacation included breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Our tour director made sure everyone was happy and had a great time.

Sunrise on the second day, looks like a great start to the day.

Day two..Poas Volcano and the cloud forest. As you can see the clouds were there and we did not have a view of the crater.

The ferns that lined the walkway were just beautiful.

Lunch break included a nice view of the valley.

Sunset back at the San Jose Barcelo hotel.

I will be posting my Costa Rica bird photos at my blog http://viewingnaturewitheileen.blogspot.com/2010/04/costa-rica-birds.html

I hope you enjoyed my San Jose skywatch and you can see more skies from all over at Skywatch Friday

Thanks for visiting my blog and thanks to the hosting team of Skywatch Friday.