Pura Vida!

Today we transfer from our hotel in the jungle to the Four Seasons on the coast

for several days of relaxing oceanside.

We've had fun on all our adventures, but everyone is ready to rest.

Wherever we go, Costa Rican's exclaim, "Pura Vida!" ("Simple Life") --

as a greeting, a goodbye or just an enthusiastic cheer. It's not just an expression, but a way of life.

It's been named one of the happiest countries in the world and it shows.

Referred to as "the Switzerland of Central America," they don't get involved in political disputes, is an upper middle income country, has one of the lowest poverty rates in Latin America & Caribbean, and their literacy rate is 98%. Costa Rica has been successful in promoting forest and biodiversity conservation and 

it's the only tropical country to reverse deforestation. 

It's beautiful here.

This morning, the Cottonwood team had a board meeting

so I exercised, packed up and did some laundry.

(A laundry room with nice machines, no cost, and detergent and fabric softener sheets for free.

Why doesn't every hotel do this? Its such a treat!)

We transferred in two large vans, a trip that took more than five hours! 

Fortunately we had good conversation in our car. 

In the other one everyone was feeling a little sick. Lots of windy roads around these parts.

We arrived after dark and just in time for dinner. 

Looking forward to the next two days resting and enjoying the sun.