OK! Here are some shots from the trip. I can't tell you EVERYTHING that happened because that would takes DAYS - so here is a quick recap.

We went to Costa Rica after winning a writing competition from NBC's 'I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here'. Since the show was filmed in a secluded area, we weren't really staying where most American tourists went. We were basically living in an area where locals resided. I can guarantee I had a much different Costa Rican vacation than any of your friends or family.

This is the road you took into the hotel. It was so very rocky and untouched by the government. You passed houses made of rusty metal and handmade fences. To drive a few miles could take you a half hour because of how rough the road was. You literally had to go 5 miles an hour. No lights obviously. At night, it was a bit scary to drive back.
The car stopped and this is where we were left off. We had to walk over this bridge to get to our hotel. As we unloaded our luggage, three huge dogs came running up to us barking uncontrollably. I froze and closed my eyes as if that would make them go away. The owner eventually came across the bridge and told his dogs to go away. We would live with these dogs for the entire stay and eventually they would become our friends. It was actually a nice addition to a bed and breakfast oddly enough! 
One of the animals was very sweet. She would sleep in front of our room as if she was protecting us.

I almost didn't walk over that bridge if I am being honest! LOL! But I am glad I did because we had such an amazing time.

I wish I took a picture of the inside of the room! I don't know why I didn't. You can see it here.  Basically, it was 4 rooms and a place to eat. Not really a full hotel. More like a small bed and breakfast really. The place was quite small and didn't have a full kitchen or restaurant. If you wanted something simple like a ham and cheese sandwich, they could do it for you. Otherwise, they had to go out to a nearby restaurant and order something in. We had the best chicken and rice our first night in.

But the grounds were absolutely beautiful. They literally just cleared a big space and built a hotel. You were inside the rain forest with everything else untouched but where you slept.

The first day there was pretty long. We thought we were going to be in a town so we had nothing scheduled. Little did we know that we were in the middle of the rain forest and couldn't walk to anything to do. So we called a cab and headed over to a larger hotel in hopes of seeing some nightlife. Unfortunately, the hotel was bought out completely by NBC and we weren't allowed to walk the grounds or get dinner. So instead, we ordered two Cokes and watched in rain for a few hours. I can't show you this hotel yet because production is very close by.

When it rains - it RAINS. And for hours! On Friday, I witnessed a rain storm I had never seen before. It POURED for HOURS - like 10 hours. Non stop - like a flash flood - but for 10 hours. It was really unbelievable. But that's why the country is so green and beautiful.

On our way back to our cab, we saw this sign in the lobby which I thought was pretty funny. I didn't smell anything odd if you were wondering.

Saturday came and we were picked up by a cab and taken to an adventure tour. Line zipping! This is what it looked like from the start. I almost didn't go, but I was a team sport and said- "I'll give it a shot". 

After I did my first zip, I wanted out. But then I realized there was no where to go. I was hundreds of feet above the ground and I had no choice but to continue to zip 9 more times. I was shaking and dizzy and on the verge of tears each time. But I HAD NO CHOICE. There was no out! So each time I had a panic attack and went. Apparently, I have a fear of heights. You learn something new every day!

Here is Bill coming down one of the zips. 

Here I am holding on for dear life. So glad I did it- but really was too scared to do it again.

We also did river rafting which was so much fun! I don't have any pictures though.It has become my new favorite hobby. I LOOOOVVVVEEEDDD every moment on the water! I can't wait to travel north and do it again!

Everyone we met from tour guides to waiters were SO NICE. And everyone spoke English which was absolutely amazing! I couldn't believe how easy it was to communicate. They also took dollars wherever we went. 

That night we had a great meal with the bed and breakfast owners and another couple. We talked for a few hours and really learned about each of our cultures.

Fast forward a few hours to Sunday Morning and here we are on a nature walk on the hotel property. I can't tell you how many animals live on the 5 acres the hotel owns. Sloths, monkeys, frogs, owls, snakes, dozens of birds, cows, some evil scary monster thing that I can't remember the name of - it was a true adventure.

During our walk, we came across this frog. Our guide, Carolien (she's dutch and wonderful and also the owner of the hotel) stopped up to show us this creature. We were inches from it and then she says - "The frog has enough acid to kill 10 men. But don't worry - you would need an open wound for it to work."

I naturally stepped back. LOL!

Then we come across a monkey. We are feet from our hotel room mind you.

While on the tour, Carolien's husband calls and says he found a snake. I'm thinking it's a warning to stay clear. But Carolien grabs the group and brings us right in front of snake and starts sorting through the leaves with a broom!!! That's when I took my exit. I am just not this in touch with nature. In fact, I was scared out of my mind!

I was born in Manhattan after all! This was the complete opposite of anything I have done in my life. It was literally the wildest thing I've done.

And did I mention the bugs? I looked like a fool every time I was outside. Swatting - screaming - shaking - running. Yes, I was embarrassing. But when a beetle gets stuck in your hair and no one will help you because it's not a big deal - a girl can get desperate. I wore this silly fan which did NOTHING - but it made me feel like I was helping out the situation.

Over all, I would love to return and go to the Costa Rica that most tourists know. The country is so different from coast to coast. It is really quite amazing if you start to read about it. While I know I saw the REAL Costa Rica, I will most certainly return to see the one that is plastered in all vacation guides! 

I am so happy I went and had the experiences I did. This was absolutely the most memorable vacation I will ever take. 

If you are a naturalist, you might want to opt for the route we took. We met a few people who were staying 6 weeks to explore the real country and sought out this closeness with nature. I am just not that person - the Bronx Zoo is about as close as I want to get to a monkey!! It's because I am a wuss really. Perhaps a braver person would have loved the snake encounter.  I was too scared most of the time. I'm being honest.

Give me a virgin strawberry daiquiri and plant me on a beach somewhere - LOL! Having animals crawl around your roof while you are sleeping is something I will NEVER EVER forget!!