Do we derserve this?

Here are a few of the dozens of pictures we took while staying at the Baldi Hotel (spa and resort). How we ended up here I am not exactly sure but we somehow rationalized that since dinner and breakfast were included not to mention free access to the array of natural hot springs/pools it was indeed the most economical way to go (if economical is Latin for luxurious). The rest of the photos will be posted to the online account shortly (I don't remember which service it is but they will be there). There are some good flower/plant photos so i would check it out if those kinds of things interest you.

We got off to a late start Wed. morning for a few reasons, mostly because we are Gregory/Birts but also because Leif was sick and running a fever and we were deciding whether or not to cancel the trip altogether. In the long run I figured he could just as easily be sick in the lap of luxury as in our quaint hot little house driving each other crazy for three days of no school. Reason won out and thank goodness it did, as we got to enjoy three lovely days in paradise.

The pictures do a decent job of describing what we experienced. There were many pools with natural thermal spring water of various temperatures including a few that would around bars. They kids and Jana enjoyed ordering drinks while swimming even if Sid is going to have to take out a second mortgage to cover the tab. Thanks Sid and Carolyn. Besides swimming there was delicious food including a chocolate fondue fountain, incredible gardens throughout the estate, a great view of the nearby volcano (for the five minutes it wasn't covered in clouds) and an extremely comfortable KING-sized bed. One of the toughest things about living in Costa Rica is the double bed. For one it is a double and not a king and two it is not very comfortable (unless you are planning on visiting)

We spent our days living like tourists; which if you could afford it is not such a bad life every so often. The last day we hiked around the volcano for a few hours. We got to see some sort of new (1992) lava beds, some beautiful jungle, and were visited by the above coati who fleeced us of all our bananas. He actually scared us into giving them to him so as to leave us in some peace while we ate a quick bite before heading back home.