JULY 7-17 – Pura Vida Island

We are here! We made it to Costa Rica and off to wonderful start to our adventure! After a 6 hour flight, (with one layover) 6 big bags and 3 carry-ons, lots of hard good-byes to friends and family, and a very open mind, we finally arrived to this beautiful country.

Off to our first surf lesson at Playa Grande. Wish me luck!

Our local instructor was very patient and helpful. We all learned a lot, Travis popped right up, by the end, Kenn was catching the waves on her own, I took several brakes, felt like the ocean was out to get me, swallowed too much salt water at times, but I did get up! I can officially say that I have surfed the ocean. When I will be back for my next lesson is TBD.

After surfing we ate dinner on the beach in Tamarindo. The chef was from Milan, Italy and the food was Buena!

Look who we picked up! M&M made it safe to CR! I am so grateful for the opportunity to get to know these two even better! I hope they can put up with living with the parents for so long. I feel like it’s a once in a life time chance for me and I am really excited. We joke about them probably wanting their own space eventually, so this little “Hotel M&M” sign made us laugh. They have parking, TVs, wifi, and not sure what that last picture means…is that a toilet? Everything a young couple would ever need!

Look, it’s a Walmart! Travis does have a job here after all!

This Walmart in Libera is great! Not as big as the ones back in the states, but it was fun to see the Great Value brand on things that I have bought before. They definitely don’t carry all the same things, but there are new things that we are excited to try and learn how to use. Walmart also owns smaller stores throughout CR called Maxi Pali, and one called Pali that’s even smaller. Each one catering a little to a different need.

Micah had a birthday! What do you get when you live in CR???? A Fruit Bowl!

This is a typical lunch or dinner that the locals eat. You find it in little restaurants called “sodas”. This would cost you around $5-$7, which is a more affordable meal.

Our first Sunday in Costa Rica. The building in Liberia was beautiful and the ward was so friendly and welcoming. We will be moving into our first month house in a few days and will be attending a different ward for the next month in Potrero.

Our first of many waterfalls! Llanas de Cortes

It was a short hike to the falls, but the water was refreshing, but not super clear like it is sometimes during the non-rainy season. Still so beautiful.

Almost as beautiful as these two Amigas! Kenn and Mike coming in HOT!

At the top of the waterfall, it opened up to this beautiful field

A hidden hike in the resort led us over bridges and up cobblestone steps to another beautiful sunset.

Walking along the beach early one morning. The sunrises at like 5am and sets at 6pm almost all year round.

CR is home to many monkeys. Kenn and I are not big fans of the howler monkeys that love to sing us to sleep.

We made it to our first house in Potrero. We love the location and it is only a short 5 minute walk down the hill to the beach. We already made friends with the security guards at the gate and plan on getting to know them and hopefully they can tell us all the great places we need to visit around here. There’s a little pizza place down the street. A gelato shop close by. A tiny market for bread and soda…And the town plaza is the soccer field! (How perfect is that for the Johnson Family!) I think we have all that we need.

This little guy checked the box on almost everyone’s bucket list! Have you ever seen a FIREFLY? Travis literally started freeking out! “I’ve always wanted to see one!” It truly was an epic moment and the great thing is, we can walk to the beach every night and be greeted by these amazing creatures. Fireflies in Spanish is “Lucierangas”… how do I remember this??? (I use word association for almost every word I am learning)… fireflies LUminate with GAS to glow. I know, maybe a stretch, but it works for me.

This was our first time at our beach-Playa Penca. The sand is not a dark as some beaches, the waves are not too crazy, and there was very few people. We fell in love instantly. (FUN FACT: did you know that a lot of the beaches here in CR have “black sand.” The sand looks very dark, almost mud like, but still feels soft like sand. Why is it “black?” Because it is the product of lava deposits from the country’s more than 50 vocanoes.

Coke con sin azucar…(Coke with no sugar=DC)

Kennahdy found this charming little town, Las Catalinas. It is a little resort with a great beach, restaurants, shops and beautiful architecture. They took a big hit during the Pandemic and are trying to rebuild and make it a place that people will want to come and stay. The rooms available were amazing, and they offered so many things to those that want to be a part of their little town. We loved exploring and taking pictures and will definitely be back again.

Our boys are always getting in an extra workout where ever they go.

What a wonderful start to our stay here in Costa Rica. It sort of just feels like a dream vacation but we are looking forward to feeling more settled, getting involved and finding our way around. The roads are really small, and there are no sidewalks or bike lanes, but lots of ditches and potholes. People just swerve around each other and honk to let you know they are there. Definitely life is at a slower pace and the Pure Vida mentality is live and well here and we really love it!