Muchas Gracias from Costa Rican Resource!

Hola,

Pura Vida!

On behalf of Costa Rican Resource we wanted to thank the Watkinson School Family again for another
amazing year. The trip was a huge success and everyone was dropped off safely and in great hiking shape at the airport at 4am this morning.

Our thanks goes out to the four chaperones (Marti, Carolyn, George, & Garold) for making the trip full of laughs, full of learning experiences, adventure, sweat, icecream sandwiches, rain, rice & beans, and plenty of Halo's for everyone!!!!  The chaperones were the perfect blend with our company in trying to have a positive impact on your kids lives.

We also send a huge thank you to all the parents, friends, and sponsors involved in making this trip possible. We feel your money was invested in a cause to open the hearts and minds of each child involved along with having a profound impact on many of the rural families and children here in Costa Rica.

Finally we want to thank the kids. They were put to the test hiking through the rough, rainy, vertical jungle of Costa Rica. What they accomplished this week was not an adventure all kids or teachers would sign up for. They impressed our staff with their endurance and willingness to work and give back when everyone was pretty much spent. We send a huge "pura vida" in all future adventures to Lila, Lauren, Sophie, Hannah, Liana, Ryheem, Will, Mike, Zues, Cody, Carlos, Matteo!!!

Thanks again to everyone involved for trusting in Costa Rican Resource to be your tour operator. Keep in mind we also run private family tours with a little less hiking and customized to your style of travel. Think of us when talking Costa Rica! Our family site is www.crrtours.com, our student site is www.crrtravel.com, and the site to our Ecolodge is www.pacuareecolodge.com.

Pura Vida,
Tom & CRR Team
tom@crrtravel.com
Owner, Costa Rican Resource

Last Night In Costa Rica

Mike- Last night here. We are in a hotel and it is quite nice. We leave early tommorow. I'm quite sad and haven't been homesick this trip so I know it was good. The guides Tom and Luigi are the number one reason I will probably come back.

Matteo-Tonight is our last night here in Costa Rica. We are staying in a hotel and there is a wedding going on. Our flight leaves at 6 tomorrow morning. I am looking forward to seeing everybody tomorrow.
Love Matteo

Zeus-At the hotel and its nice and there are warm showers.  I will see you tomorrow.  Love Zeus.

Lila-Hola faimuliya, as you could Already tell I am learning alot of esponyal. I hope you recorded americas got talent for me! I look forword to watching it. Even though I dont wanna leave i look forward to seeing you all tomarow. I cant belive its tomarow ahhhhh. well im gonna finish eating dinner I dont wanna let it get cold. love you guys!!!!!! XOXOXO LILA!

Kody- We arrived at the hotel today and got settled in right away. We watched TV, went to the pool, a gift shop, and then we chilled until dinner. Can't wait to come home tomorrow. Love you. Kody

Liana-Right now I am enjoying a beautiful dinner in an amazing hotel.  It was the first hot shower I have had in a while. It is also nice to relax and take a moment to believe I am in Costa Rica.  I loved all of the hikes in all different weather.  I have hiked down a mountain while it was pouring down and I literally slipped down the mountain.  The food has been great, there is a lot of rice and beans but don't worry Ruby I have tried a lot of foods for you.  The amount of bug bites  I have is crazy.  I can't wait to see you guys tomorrow and talk all about it.  Love, Liana

Hannah- We got to the hotel tonight. It is a very nice place,I got emily a nice present.  See you soon.

Sophie- today we are at the hotel la condesa and eating a very nice dinner. early today we also went to go and get souveniers. were not able to go rafting today because the water was to high.
yesterday we went the a village and helped make a bathroom and a garden and it turned out really great !! but the hike getting there was tricky.
I love and miss you and cant wait to see you tomorrow XOXO Sophie !!!!!!

Will- Today we got to the final hotel. Its in San Jose right near the airport. Its really nice but we have to get up and four to catch our flight. WE had to take the bus here instead of raft because the water was too high.

Carlos-
We are at the very nice hotel in La Condesa, it is very pretty with many weddings going on and we did not crash any! Can't wait to see you guys!

Lauren-  Today was our last full day. We didn't raft today because the river was high, so we were mostly just on a bus driving. Right now we are staying at a hotel (La Condesa). It is so nice there. Our flight leaves at 6 am so I will be home around 5 pm. Miss you mom, dad and Thomson.

Ryheem-
Hey. We left Tom's EcoLodge and are at the La Condesa hotel in San Jose. We are getting ready to leave tomorrow which I'm not looking forward to. We have to wake up early in the morning. Bye. See you soon.

Garold-

It has been a incredible adventure with a wonderful group of teachers, a great group of kids and very knowledgeable tour guides. If you have not gone on this trip, put it on your bucket list!

George-Almost at the end of the line.  Had a super time and can't wait to do this again next year.  PURA VIDA.

White Water Rafting Down the Pacuare!

Mike- Today we white-water rafted to last Eco-lodge. It is our guide's, Tom. It is very cool and super remote. We saw some pretty big rapids and I jumped off a big rock into running water. There is no electricity here, no lights. Say hi to the brothers.

Lila-hello millers! Dad is resting from all the hikes right now and we just got back from water rafting! I got bit on my lip and it was super inflated...anyway we are going white water rafting again tomorrow. Good night, love you all. Xoxo lila

Hannah- hi Mom
Today we went river rafting and it was really fun. We left the homestays it was sad and I got to see all of my friends and it was really fun.

Kody- Hey mom
We arrived at the second Eco-lodge after rafting today. The white water rafting was so fun. It was short but we are going again in two days. At one part the guide told us to jump of the raft and climb onto a rock and then jump of the rock into some small rapids. After a little bit of rafting we stopped and went swimming. After swimming we ate lunch, we had tacos and some river cheese cakes. The cheese cakes where the best part. We are now at the second Eco-lodge and having a great time. Love Kody

Will- We got to the second eco-lodge today. We rafted here and had to hike up the hill. You cant get here by car and its really cool.    Will

Sophie- Hey guys !! we had so much fun at the home stay. It was very sad to go because we made lots of friends.  Today we went rafting and it was so fun was jumped of rocks and water falls and now we are and the final eco lodge having fun
love and miss you
Sophie

Ryheem-
Hi. We left the home stays today which was pretty sad but we had a good time. After we drove for a little bit to a river where we went White Water Rafting. It was pretty fun and we stopped a couple times to jump of a rock into the rapids. Now we are at Tom's EcoLodge. Bye

Carlos-
Hi we just arrived at the brand new Eco Lodge in Costa Rica, it is amazing with bunks and more, rafting was amazing, with Hannah Mr. Miller Lila Mateo and Daniel.

Lauren- Today was a lot of fun, even though we had to leave the home stays. We went white water rafting on the Pacuare river. It is number 5 in the world for rafting. We got splashed and luckily no one fell out. Love you mom and dad (Thomson)

Zeus- Today I rafted all day and it was really fun. when it was all over we went to a new eco lodge and it is cool.

Carolyn- Fiesta was a blast. Short hike today but still vertical. The rafting was really exciting and this Ecolodge is in Paradise !!

George-At the new Pacuare Eco-Lodge after a morning and afternoon of spirited white water rafting.  I have thoroughly enjoyed this and all of the other days in Costa Rica.  I will sleep well.  Love and miss you family.

Marti-Great trip......still having a fabulous Edventure.  I rode with the luggage today while group rafted the first part of the Pacuare river.  My stomach wasn't doing well, probably muscle soreness from the mountainous hiking.  I guess I better work out more or get younger.  Have a great trip to Singapore Jim!  I look forward to hearing from you.  Also, don't forget to fill the large cat feeders and their waters before departing.  Thank Valerie for taking care of the outside critters, barn ones too. 

Home Stay Families

George-(as George)-Having a fantastic time at my homestay.  Right now we are in the middle of LA FIESTA with music, dancing and skits.  The hospitality is amazing and the group did a wonderful job painting the soccer field fence today.

Lila-Hi family were at the fiesta right now.  Having a great time.  I met Mario and looking forward to dancing and a great meal.  Good night and love you.

Marti-Hi Jim.  Hope all is well on the home front!  We're having our farewell fiesta in Sitio De Mata.  Tomorrow heading to Pacuare ecolodge and whitewater rafting.  Hope critters are well too.  Don't forget barn kitties.  Also, make contact with Valerie and go through feeding details.  Much love, Marti

Carolyn-Hi folks, hope all is well back in CT it sure is mucho bonita here. Having a ball at the fiesta!
See you soon.

Lauren- where do I even begin? The home stays are so much fun and the kids are so nice. The kids that are at my home stay are Mario and Mariagel. We have had so much fun and I have been using my Spanish every day. I will make sure to take lots of pictures. Love you mom and dad (
 Thomson).

Hannah- Hi Family, I am having the best times at the homestays my favorite part of the trip. I saw my old friends like Kimberly and Jose. There is a 8 month old baby in my homestay and she is adorable.

Will- Today was fun. We played soccer in the village and learned how to make tortillas. We painted the fence in-front of the soccer field, which took a while.

Ryheem-
Hi. We had a lot of fun today. We scrubbed and re-painted the fence around the soccer field. It was really hot and it took a while but eventually we got it done. After we learned how to make tortillas and then played a game of soccer. I'm having a lot of fun at the homestays. The people are really nice.
Bye

Zeus- At a fiesta its so fun. I missed 12 shots in soccer to day but all's good. Hows dylan doing?

Mike- Day 2 at homestays and they are great. I was nervous at first but the food is the best all trip and the people are amazing. We painted a fence and played soccer. P.S. Your posts get read aloud so try not to be so embarassing. If it was Carl, Rob, or Nick, I am mad.

Liana-The trip is more fun everyday.  We are in the village at our homestay.  The people here are so nice and I am staying with Sophie.  I have a new little sister named Camilla.  Love you. 

Sophie-We have so much fun this trip.  We are finishing the home stay.  I will be sad to go but we are having an amazing time.  We painted, played soccer and made tortillas along with the friendships I will never forget.  Hope you are having fun at home.
Love Sophie

Matteo-We arrived at our homestays last night and the families are very kind and generous.  The arrangements are really cool.  Played soccer and did some painting.  Right now I am enjoying a giant fiesta.  Love you.  Matteo.

Kody-It is our second day at the homestay and I am having fun.  At the fiesta and having a blast.  We played soccer as a giant group.   My team lost by so many points but we had a great time. We made tortillas at one of the homestays, I didn't try one but they where most likely pretty good. The people in the village are very nice and caring. love you. Kody

Homestay Fiesta

Tortilla making!

Matteo

Carlos

Will and Mike

Lauren and Hannah

Liana and Lila

Sophie

Volcano at homestays

Mike- Hi guys, today was a fun filled day with a little too many spiders. We went to a waterfall 20 feet above a pool, and jumped. I think i displaced some organs but I'm okay.

Will- THis morning we jumped off a twenty foot water fall. IT was fun. We're about ot hike back down the mountain and go to the homestays.

Lauren- Yesturday we hiked to a cave 2,500 feet above sea level to a cave. We went repelling down the water fall(100 feet). It was so much fun and a little nerve racking. Today we hiked to a smaller 20 ft water fall and jumped off of it into a natural pool. We are about to hike back down the mountain and then drive 4.5 hours to the home stays. Bye and love you mom and dad (Thomson).

Love,
Lauren

Liana-
After we left the Ecolodge we hiked 2 hours up a steep mountain to a natural cave behind an 100 foot waterfall!! After we got settled in the cave we went repelling down the waterfall.  It was super fun and scary!!! That night it was cool sleeping in the cave right by the rushing waterfall.   Today we hiked even higher and went to a smaller waterfall where we jumped 20 feet.  We are back in the cave and about to hike back down.   We are going to take a 4 hour drive to the home stays! Love and miss you guys!!
Liana

Carlos-
We are leaving the Cave and going on four hour bus, then to homestays.

Mr. Miller
Can't wait to show everyone the picture of the most beautiful waterfalls I have seen in my life.

Sophie- We have had an amazing time here in costa rica we are leaving the waterfall that is 2,500 feet tall. We stopped at an organic farm and tried all these different fruits  we repeled down the waterfall witch was also really scary it has been so fun and we are now driving to the home stay and also happy birthday mom !! sorry I could not be there with you but I am thinking about you !!!
Love
Sophie

Matteo-
Today we climbed up the rest of the mountain to the top, 2500 feet high. when we got there we went to a swimming hole that we could jump into. The jump was 20 feet up. It was really fun. We hiked back and we are about to go to the homestays. See you soon.

Love,
Matteo

Ryheem-
Hey. Today we climbed up a little bit higher to a waterfall. The hike was really long and muddy but it was worth it. When we got there, we all jumped of the cliff. It was pretty high up and the drop seemed a lot longer than it look. We are now hiking back down to go on the bus towards the homestays. Bye.
Love
Ryheem

Lila-We just got back from jumping off a 20 foot tall water fall! right now we are eating lunch and playing cards getting ready to go on are long hike;/ all my cloths are soaked and my shoes are drenched... every time i take a step water comes out. any way im missing my game of cards talk to you soon much love Lila

Kody- We went repelling it was so fun. We also went swimming and jumped of a 20 foot cliff.

Kody- Hey mom we are leaving the cave today it was so fun.

Marti-Great trip so far.  Wonderful night in the cave, beautiful lightning in the distance.  Walked up to another waterfall for jumping/swimming.  Pictures soon.  Heading to the homestays soon...can't wait to see our friends.  Jim, how are the animals??????

Zeus-Hi  mom and dad i walk up a 2500 feet above sea level. it was a long hike but it was worth it. we went swimming in a natural pool. dylan when does lax start.

Carolyn-
 Having quite a non-stop adventure. Learning about new things daily especially how to cope with humidity.... slowing down is a good thing!
Adios.

Lila- Dear family right now where loading on the bus on are way to the cave. I'm super exited! I have been using graces survival guide and trust me its a huge help. Can't wait to tell you guys all about my trip talk to you guys soon. Xoco lila

George-as George

Having a wonderful time zip lining at the beach and on the Tarzan Swing.  Looking forward to a day of hiking and repelling.  Apparently, wearing long pants and long white socks are frowned upon in certain circles.  Kids have been great and the adults even better.

Mike- Hi guys, yesterday was great. We went to the beach and spent like half of the day playing pool. It is still really hot and humid

Kody- Hey mom I'm still having a great time and tell dad I said happy fathers day!!!!

Garold-

We had a great time zip lining with all the kids on the canopies of Costa Rica.  Every man should wear long pants and white socks while zip lining like Mr. Sailor.

Sophie-

Dear family,
We had so much fun zip lining yesterday. Today we are going on our hike the the water fall. I am having a great time and hope you all are well .

Sophie . 

Hannah-

Hi Mom and Dad, today we're going on a hour hike. And I am having a good time.

Ryheem-

Hi Mom and Dad. How are you? We are having a good time. We went zip lining yesterday and today we are going to a cave. Tell dad I said Happy Fathers Day. Bye.

Carlos-

Hey Mom and Dad, today we are going to the cave a two hour hike, and straight up a mountain, I am going back to the hammock bye.

Matteo-

Hi guys, it was great to hear from you. We went zip lining yesterday and it was great. I even held a poison dart frog. Today we are going in to the waterfall cave. How was yesterday?

Love
Matteo

Liana-
Today I woke up to the sound of monkeys! I have seen beautiful birds, plants, and even some creepy spiders.  Today we are taking a 2 hour hike up to a cave and waterfall! Love you guys xoxo

Will- yesterday was fun and today we are going to the cave. Happy late fathers day.

Lauren- Yesterday was a lot of fun. We zip lined through the rain forest and then went to the beach. All in all it was a great day, and I am looking forward for the cave.

Zeus- Will, Mike, Kody, Ryheem and i played pool all day and me and kody won 4 times in a row. it was really fun.  It was beautiful seeing the ocean.  Looking forward to sleeping in the cave.  Love you.

Zeus

La Cusinga EcoLodge, Costa Rica Pacific South

Welcome to Costa Rica!

Blue Morph Butterfly

We are all set for another amazing adventure of the Watkinson kids as we venture to some of Costa
Rica's most amazing places with the chance to experience different cultures from start to finish. Stay tuned this is the daily blog update with pictures and comments about this wonderful adventure!

Sign up and make comments and we will read them to the kids during the evening briefings.

Pura Vida,
CRR Team

Welcome to Costa Rica!

We are all set for another amazing adventure of the Watkinson kids as we venture to some of Costa Rica's most amazing places with the chance to meet some