Hiking Tres Cruces - The Three Crosses

If you look up from our school, you can see the highest of the Tres Cruces.  It's a moderate 2 hour-ish hike round trip, with magnificent views of Escazu, San Jose and the whole central valley.  The crosses are about a 1/2 mile away from each other up a relatively steep incline.  The view from the second is the most impressive.

Cross number three!

The first cross

Directions: To get there, drive up to San Antonio de Escazu, to Valle Azul restaurant.  You can park in their lot or right outside....Leave your valuables at home.

Walk up the dirt road near the restaurant and go right on the second turn onto a smaller dirt road.  In about 1/2 mile, go left on the small dirt trail that climbs past a farm along a barbed wire fence.  From then on, just head up!  (Unless you see a black dog peeing on a stump ---in which case, turn left!--Ha ha)

Spectacular vista at the second cross

Playas Tamarindo and Conchal

Pristine Playa Conchal boasts turquoise waters, and that's unusual for the Pacific coast.   A good portion of the shoreline is coated in smoothed shells, hence the name.  It was surprisingly comfortable to sit on the beach and not get sand in your suit!

Finding cool shells

The snorkeling was pretty good:  We saw eels, puffers, parrot fish, and even a yellow boxfish!

We enjoyed eating at Longboards, where they make a mean, smoked-meat sandwich.  Also, in Huacas, at the crossroads, there was some inexpensive, surprisingly delicious Chinese food.

Tamarindo is a long beach, decent for surfing, people watching, boogie boarding and spectacular sunsets.

A yellow boxfish

Dinosaurs in Costa Rica?!

How could we have driven right past this exceptional attraction three times?  Well, fourth time's a charm! 

We finally drove 20 kilometers north of Puntarenas, on the way to Guanacaste, and found Monteverde Restaurant---home to the best milkshakes in Costa Rica, and 25 or so dinosaurs!

The last time we tried to find this park and rest stop, Steve said, "Hey, kids.  If you see a dinosaur, let us know."

Benji remarked, "Oh.  I saw one about half an hour ago."

Steve:  "You saw a hundred foot dinosaur on the side of the road and you didn't say anything?   New rule in the car.  If you see a T-Rex hanging around out the window---mention it!"

This time we didn't miss it.  We stopped for some homemade ice cream shakes and walked around the mile and a half or so trail.  It was scorching hot out, and the trail took us through the dinosaur and prehistoric animal time periods right up to the present day---from the Triassic to the Jurassic to the Cretaceous (Yes, I googled it.)

 Marina posed with a monkey, but ten steps ahead, Steve and Benji shouted, "Look!  The real thing!"  Lo and behold a troupe of monkeys were dangling from the tree branches above us!    That was a "We're definitely in Costa Rica" moment, for sure.

Highly recommended for: dino-junkies, families, nature lovers and chocolate milkshake fanatics.

Watch out, Steve!

Benji Accepted to NJHS!

We are super proud of Benji, who was nominated, and  accepted, into National Junior Honors Society.  He  joins 6,000 exceptional students across the USA and in international schools abroad.  His acceptance was based on his grades, community service and leadership.  He will be joining a handful of students who work toward service projects and leadership programs in school next year.  Congratulations Benji!

In Concert with Sifais and Congregacion B'nei Israel

Sunday, my synagogue choir sang a concert of Hebrew music, accompanied by the Sifais orchestra, composed of about 20 talented kids from the Carpio District.   The leader of the program, 19-year old Sebastian, is a violin virtuoso and a true genius in his capacity to lead this incredible program which inspires so many youth.  www.sifais.org

I really enjoyed singing a solo part in Yerushalayim Shel Zahav :Jerusalem of Gold by Naomi Shemer,  which happens to be my all-time favorite Hebrew song.

We also sang Halleluya, Al Kol Aleh, Chai, Heinei Lo Yanum, and even threw a Yiddish and Ladino song into the mix.   Rehearsing and singing with the choir was a blast, and I hope to continue with this fun, energetic and talented group of singers and friends.

Accolades for All

Ilana sang with all the dramatic flair that we'd expect of her.  Her beautiful voice and passionate delivery brought audience members to tears.

As part of the Bnei Israel choir, she performed with an orchestra composed of disadvantaged kids from one of the poorest neighborhoods of San Jose.

The performance told the story of Israel, from the war of Independence to Ilana's passionate song about Jerusalem.

This morning, Steve and a friend climbed the mountain Pico Blanco.  It was a 1900 foot gain, with magnificent views.  There was quite a bit of bushwacking and bouldering involved and Steve returned home stinky, muddy and elated from all the fresh air and stunning views.  For next Sunday, he's organizing a group of hombres to do another hike in the hills behind Escazu.

Benji was nominated this week to be a member of the National Junior Honor Society.  The recognition is based on his grades, his leadership, his community service work, his participation in school activities and his tall stature.

Marina won three metals in her first swim meet (see blog below) and she's becoming an excellent violinist.  We only wish she'd close her door when she practices!

Marina's Swim Success!

Marina competed today in her first-ever swim meet and it was a splashing success!

CDS kids competed as individuals against another area school.  Marina took 2nd place among the 11-12 year-olds in freestyle, and 3rd in both breaststroke and backstroke.

Way to go, Marina  She's a fish!  And with a name like Marina, you'd better believe it!

Battle of the Monkey and the Snake at Manuel Antonio

Capuchin (white-faced) monkeys are omnivores!  I did not know that until I saw one who had caught a snake twist it into viscous knots, and then tear into it with savage teeth.  Did I mention we were standing two feet from it at the time?  If you don’t believe it, watch the video!

Our tour of Manuel Antonio National Park was rife with wildlife.  Steve was startled by a marauding aguti (a raccoon-like rodent) that bolted over his toes at top speed.   We saw the venomous vine snake up close and personal; and a harmless bird snake peeking from her hole!

Of course the Cara Blanca and mono Congos (howler and capuchin) monkeys were out in full force, and we saw no less than two raccoons and three sloths!

Alas the olas, at double my height, the waves were way too rough for swimming at the magnificent beaches.

That iguana was after my peanut butter sandwich!