An Overall Amazing First Day

What a wonderful way to spend the first day in Costa Rica. So far this trip has been full of travel to beautiful new places and wonderful new friends. My day started yesterday at 8:00 PM PST when I boarded my flight from Portland, OR to Seattle, WA, and then on my way to Atlanta, GA to meet up with 16 wonderful educators. We took a short flight to Liberia, Costa Rica and were welcomed warmly not only by our fellow Discovery members, but also by an adorable group of Howler Monkeys.

These cute little guys were busy munching on the fresh green leaves of the nearby trees, and I am sure from their vantage point, were spying on the sunbathers.

After watching them for a while, I took the little dirt path around the outer edges of the pool down to La Playa Crystal, or Crystal Beach.

The beaches here in this area of Costa Rica are known for their surfability as well as their beauty, and I could see why. The sand was all small crushed shell and coral, and if you looked closely, you could see these tiny little hermet crabs scrambeling on the edges of the surf.

It wasn't long until the sun went down, and it was time to head back to the hotel to meet up for a dinner comprised of wonderful fresh fruits, lamb and risotto, and wonderful company.

-Mia Leidelmeyer