Orlando Layover

Our flight from Atlanta to Costa Rica included a layover in Orlando. While Sharon went to look for a place to plug her laptop in, the rest of us found the closest airport lounge. Team Bud, Greg and Sue, quickly got to work on what they do best.

Of course, Lesley and Greg Hedrick were there also.

Of course, Lesley and Greg Hedrick were there also.

The flight to the Liberia airport in Costa Rica was uneventful, and the rental car representative was waiting for us when we cle

The flight to the Liberia airport in Costa Rica was uneventful, and the rental car representative was waiting for us when we clear immigration and customs. Here, Greg and Sue chat during the long wait for the paperwork to be filled out for our two SUVs.

Greg and Sue check directions from from Liberia to Quepos and Manuel Antonio, where we'll be staying for the week. Actually, I

Greg and Sue check directions from from Liberia to Quepos and Manuel Antonio, where we'll be staying for the week. Actually, I think they're plotting the distance between liquor stores.

Our first stop was to have lunch at this small "soda" just south of Liberia on the Norte' Americana. Jim ordered a &q

Our first stop was to have lunch at this small "soda" just south of Liberia on the Norte' Americana. Jim ordered a "hamburgeruasa" while everyone else had the first of many meals that included rice and beans.

After lunch, we bought beer at the gas station next door. Lesley pulled out her collapsible coolers and filled them with ice an

After lunch, we bought beer at the gas station next door. Lesley pulled out her collapsible coolers and filled them with ice and beer. We didn't want the passengers to get thirsty on the long drive to Quepos.

We made a few wrong turns on the drive, especially in Punteranus, where we found ourselves on a street where bicycles outnumbere

We made a few wrong turns on the drive, especially in Punteranus, where we found ourselves on a street where bicycles outnumbered the cars by 10 to 1. After a few near-misses, we continued south and stopped at the "crocodile bridge" that spans

The crocodiles were all in the water when we stopped. On my last trip, many of them were sunning themselves on the riverbank, b

The crocodiles were all in the water when we stopped. On my last trip, many of them were sunning themselves on the riverbank, but the cloudy skies may have kept them off the banks this time. I have a [url=http://www.tmroth.com/albums/index.php?currDir=.

Another view of the Rio Tarcoles, looking toward the ocean from the crocodile bridge.

Another view of the Rio Tarcoles, looking toward the ocean from the crocodile bridge.

Sue and Lesley try to get photos of the crocodiles down below. It looks like Sharon, in the background, might be yelling at the

Sue and Lesley try to get photos of the crocodiles down below. It looks like Sharon, in the background, might be yelling at the crocs to get them to smile for the cameras.

A few kilometers south of the crocodile bridge, we stopped at a little restaurant along the coast for a quick beer. This was ou

A few kilometers south of the crocodile bridge, we stopped at a little restaurant along the coast for a quick beer. This was our first good view of the Pacific coast.

Greg, Lesley, Sharon, and Jim enjoy a beer during our break.

Greg, Lesley, Sharon, and Jim enjoy a beer during our break.

Day 2: Thanks to a howler monkey outside our house, we were up early and had breakfast at Mar y Sombra. We were reminded that w

Day 2: Thanks to a howler monkey outside our house, we were up early and had breakfast at Mar y Sombra. We were reminded that we were on Tico time; nothing happens very quickly in Central America, including breakfast.

This is the main beach at Manuel Antonio, outside the park and near the restaurant where we had breakfast.

This is the main beach at Manuel Antonio, outside the park and near the restaurant where we had breakfast.

After breakfast, we packed up some coolers and hiked into Manual Antonio National Park. Being a Sunday, the park was fairly cro

After breakfast, we packed up some coolers and hiked into Manual Antonio National Park. Being a Sunday, the park was fairly crowded. We found a fairly quiet spot, though, where we were able to look out at this view of the Pacific.

Greg, Sue, and Jae enjoy a few beers while watching the ocean. Some of us decided to do some more hiking and took the trail out

Greg, Sue, and Jae enjoy a few beers while watching the ocean. Some of us decided to do some more hiking and took the trail out to Cathedral Point, which has a really great view of the Pacific from the top of a high bluff.