Tips When Traveling with a Toddler

Traveling with a toddler like me can be a challenge. So here are some tips if you plan on doing that.

 Allow for plenty of time for everything. Rushing a toddler is never a good idea. Nope. 

 Bring some entertainment like movies and small toys. Bring a small DVD player or better yet, cram as many movies you can on an iTouch and it's really easy to take it around. Don't forget headphones.  The collapsible ones are good and more compact.

 For parents, you can bring a small netbook if you'd like.  Really handy because WiFi is pretty much everywhere.

 Bring snacks. Toddlers like to munch. Plus, if there is a delay and you're stuck nowhere close to a food place, you at least you have something to offer your kid. I'm eating Pringles here, but granola bars and dried fruit are a better alternative. You hear that, mommy? 

 Make us strike a pose. We'll do it. Just ask when we're in a good mood or you'll get a kick in the groin.

 Snap a pic of us no matter how it looks like because we grow up so fast.

 Pack light so you can get up at a moment's notice to rush to a new gate if need be. Let us take our own luggage. Many of us like that sense of responsibility.

Let us lounge around the airport (of course without interupting or getting in the way of anyone). If we get bored, take us for a walk, take a look through other gate windows, count planes, or browse the gift shops. If you don't want to buy anything at the gift shop, make that clear to us. If not, you are in trouble.

Tell us what to expect next. Like what gate we're going, what plane we're boarding, how much longer we should wait, why there's a delay, etc. Many of us would like to know. Waiting for us is torture and not knowing why we're waiting for so long can make us cranky and will get you a meltdown.

Lastly, don't forget to enjoy your trip. The experience, mementos, and pictures of your adventure will surely stay with your kid for a lifetime.

Farewell Costa Rica!

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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Paul Van Dyk - Time of our Lives

Manuel Antonio National Park

 Manuel Antonio National Park is the smallest national park in Costa Rica, but also the second most visited.

 Although its the smallest, is has about 109 species of mammals, 184 species of birds, and four beaches.

 There were lots of visitors eager to check out the wildlife.

 We went with our guide, Miguel. He carries large binoculars and is very good as spotting various critters. We learned a lot. For example, this particular plant is poisonous. If you touch it, you will have a very itchy rash. Even the bugs know not to touch the top so they munch on it from the bottom. Smart.

 It get's muddy in some parts.

 Here's a sloth. I learned that their stomachs have multiple compartments. They are so lazy that if they get hungry, they just sometimes regurgitate what they ate and swollow is again. Yum. They also poop once a week. They make their way down their tree (verry slowly), dig a hole, then do their business. In a way, their poop help fertilize the tree they live on. It's all ecologically sound.

 Pretty plant.

 What do you think these ants are carrying? Food to eat, right?  Wrong. As our guide explained, these ants actually eat mushrooms. These pieces of leaves and stuff are things the ants use to fertilize their mushrooms. They're like farmer ants. How neat is that?

 Another sloth. Don't forget to check out my sloth-face impersonation.

Jurassic Park-like lizard.

If you look very closely, you'll see tiny bats.

Tiny frog. Are you wondering why some of the pictures are bordered in circles? We're actually taking pictures from Miguel's binoculars' eye piece. Cool huh?

Beautiful beach.

I wanted to go in the water so bad. My mom's just restraining me.

Hermit crab. They're very intersting creatures cuz they can change their houses anytime they want.

A peek of the beach through the forest.

And another.

High tide is coming. Some folks use a boat as a bridge to cross. This area is usually with filled with water.

Coconut juice for refreshment.

La Posada Jungle Bungalows

Manuel Antonio is about 6 miles from the main town of Quepos. We stayed at La Posada Jungle Bungalows.  It is literally right next door to Manuel Antonio National Park.

 

 Our bungalow is the middle one.

 Here's the inside.

 Tropical sculptures around the pool.

 The pool.

 Hanging out.

 Since La Posada is so close to the national park, we spotted several critters on the premises.

One morning we awoke to some loud scratching on our roof. We went on the roof deck access and saw this handsome guy sunning himself.

 See that long striped tail? This raccoon was quietly checking out our sunbathing neighbor then he came down the steps and vanished into the forest.

 This is Mr. Macho and Ms. Pogan. Resident birds of La Posada.

 This is Ms. Pogan. Mr. Macho is sorta mean and acting very macho at the moment so we left him in the cage.

 Squirrel monkeys visiting the main dining area. They check out what we're eating for breakfast.

 Awww, wook at me standing here in the rain. Ain't I cute? Could you pass me a banana?

 Capuchin monkeys also visit the place.

 Rocking chair and a sweaty kid.

 Swimming while raining.

 This is were we land after a day of sightseeing.

I woke up early and having breakfast on the porch. Howler monkeys also reside in the national park next door. They howl and growl in the mornings, so they are pretty much our alarm clocks.