Moving to Bajos del Toro for Christmas Break

It was actually quite amazing how our 2 suitcases each became so much more in just 4 months.  I had not realized how many things we had acquired (dishes, art supplies, school work, beach supplies, etc.) and so we had our good friend from the property management company, Marcos and his dad and uncle help us move.  We had the 4 kids, myself and my parents in our car and all our suitcases, food and stuff in the back of their truck.  We looked like the Beverly Hillbillies! 

It had been estimated from the owner of the new house we were moving to that it would take us 4-5 hours with stops.   Well, it ended up taking 8 hours and it was after 9pm at night when we arrived after stopping and asking for directions about a dozen times.  Remote locations can be a challenge in Costa Rica to find as there are not any street signs, highway markers, etc.  Asking locals is the best way to find things, or if you are lucky, you will see signs to attractions.  In our case, there was a lodge close by, so we were kinda able to follow their signs once we got in the general vicinity.

The Beverly Hillbilly's Moving Truck!

 

Lunch stop...and a photo of the kids at the same restaurant in Canas 3 years ago

on the road to Arenal Volcano....wow how time flies!

When we arrived we were disappointed to find the house very cold, damp and not freshly cleaned.  While it was beautiful, we were obviously the first visitors in a while.  We kinda unloaded and went to bed as we were all exhausted.  We felt like we were camping in a very beautiful tent as even the sheets were damp.  But, by morning, with the humidifier and heater now on, the house began to dry out and my mom and I set to wiping everything down and washing the towels, dishes, etc.  And the view was just to die for along with the amazing architecture of the house itself.

The amazing view we woke up to (that's Poas Volcano in the background)

View of the house coming down the road... 

The hot tub!

 

The Living/Dining Room...

The Kitchen...

Looking upstairs to the 2nd floor and 3rd floor loft....

View of the backyard and valley....That's Poas Volcano behind the clouds

 

 

We look forward to the upcoming month of exploring the area and the cooler weather of the valley.  The cooler weather makes it feel much more "wintry" and "Christmas-like."  And since it is almost Christmas...we also put up a tree and since they don't grow here in Costa Rica, we put up a fake tree like everyone else along with our decorations Kurt brought down from home in two tubs last month.  It was fun unpacking these Christmas treasures and it made it feel like our regular tree from home....just transplanted a little farther south.  It was also fun unpacking and getting ready for Christmas with Grammy and Grampy...another bit of home.

 

Grammy (my mom) and Marissa putting up the tree...

Decorations almost done....

 

Fireplace for Santa!

6 Nutcrackers from our collections at home...can you see which ones

represent which family member?

Ta da!  All ready for Christmas and Santa now...