Manuel Antonio - an amazing trip to the beach

This Wednesday, we just got back from an awesome beach trip to Manuel Antonio!  Luckily, no one got burnt to bad, just mostly tan.  :)   The ocean was amazing.  (we were on the Pacific side)

we did a lot of buggy-boarding

Lucy had a great time burying Charlie and building sand castles with us.

....................of course, she got buried too.  :)

 \/ a great beach side lunch

...............

On the second day, we entered the National Park.  After a 30 minute hike through the path - saw a sloth! - we arrived at the beach part, a calmer cove than the regular public side.

This place is kind of famous for the animals...... the best are the white-faced monkeys!  They are very bold, and hang around to try to steal some food or such.  SO cute!

stuffing his face with papaya....good for him  ;)

The monkeys were not the only bold and hungry animals we saw on the beach side in the park....... my mom had a somewhat lively struggle with a raccoon!  

It grabbed one of our backpacks and started trying to rip it open - my mom  and thus the tug-o-war commenced. :)  The very brave raccoon finally gave up.  He did come back for lunch though...... :)

Manuel Antonio was incredible.  We got a ton of great pictures.  We also collected shells, just walked along the beach, and went to some cool restaurants!  One was called 'El Avion'. (the airplane).  The view from the deck of the sunset was amazing.....

................Here are some more pictures.  :)

Costa Rica has been amazing.  I am sad to say goodbye now, but also glad to go back to the regular life.  I have realized many things here, and can't wait to go back and start applying them!  The slow schedule has been really good, and let me take a good look from far away at my life back home.  To everyone in the States - I've missed you so much and can't wait to see you soon!  To my friends in Costa Rica - thanks, I will never forget you.   Costa Rica has been AWESOME!

      ~Caroline M.   

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