Christmas in Montreal

We just got back from a short trip to Montreal.

It was great to catch up with old friends (back on the continent after a long absence).

Some people never change. Here we are watching the Canadiens play Carolina at Les Trois Brasseurs.

Most of the time, however, was spent with the relatives:

The three cousins looking outside.

And then a very pleasant evening at the Mackay's:

(thanks again for all the grub, Sara)

I like this one

PS: through both of our recent trips (Prague and Costa Rica), Julia never gave us a hard time. Even after many hours in airplanes, buses, waiting in airports, skipping nap times, being woken at 5am, etc, she hardly ever complained. I wish I could say the same for myself...

A heck of a kid. :)

The Costa Rica Adventure, Part 4 (PV de S to Monteverde to San Jose)

From a hike in PV de S:

Then, on the long and winding, and bumpy, road to Monteverde, we saw the active volcano Arenal.

At a lunch break.

These little guys, apparently from the same family as raccoons, walked right up to the car.

A bird of paradise in Monteverde.

At the hummingbird garden, in the Monteverde Reserve.

Tired of walking...

Look above the trees: a zip-line.

Walking a bridge at Selvatura park.

Here's Andy showing us how to zip.

(the zip lines were awesome. There were 15 or so, all between high platforms on trees. Many were high above the tree-tops. The longest one was about 1km long...)

Andy & Marcia, at the end of the longest line.

Back at the cabins, where they had a huge hydroponic garden. Julia found a cherry tomato!

It was getting late and someone was acting cranky.

The next day on yet another walk.

A better picture of the garden (this is only one small part of it).

The last night in Costa Rica, celebrating with a fruit punch.

The Costa Rica Adventure, Part 3 (Puerto Viejo and Boat Trip)

One morning in PV de S, we took a boat ride on the Sarapiqui river.

This was the weather soon after we started off:

(thankfully, the boat is covered)

An alligator on the shore.

On the boat:

A kingfisher.

An iguana climbing a tree.

A local guy fishing... despite the crocodiles and caymans.

A cayman.

Another howling monkey was sighted.

Julia liked when the boat went very fast.

Back at the pool.

Another toucan.