Quepos

After spending 3 days in the mountains, I was ready to hit the beach. The main reason we wanted to visit Costa Rica was the beach! We needed vitamin D so badly after having the worst winter ever! 

Driving down the mountains into the coast was amazing! I got very excited when it started to get very hot inside the car, I knew we were close to the beach. 

After checking into our accommodation (more on that later), we changed into our beach clothing and drove down to the beach. It was amazing to feel the sand in my toes again. I felt my mood change quickly to a very positive one. I ran up to the ocean and I felt like I was home. 

Allan Gardens Conservatory Part II

The hanging orchids and turtles (I thought they were fake!) area is my favourite. It was a treat to see so many orchids in one place. I got an orchid for Christmas and of course I killed it. I didn't inherit my father's green thumb after all.

Each section had a different theme and temperature. The desert section was interesting for me. I saw a variety of cacti including the barrel cactus. I really want to have my own mini version of it.

I highly recommend coming here for a visit. I'm definitely coming back in the winter when it's freezing outside just to see some plant/flowers blooming. I wouldn't mind smelling the hyacinth flowers again. The smell is just fantastic! I want it bottled as a perfume.
 

Part 1 can be found here.

P.S. I'm away on a little road trip for the long weekend. I'm wishing you a fun and safe Victoria Day weekend! 

Allan Gardens Conservatory Part I

Spring this year was rough just like winter. It was cold and raining all the time. But I found a better way to enjoy it by visiting Allan Gardens Conservatory. You can enjoy a nice stroll and look at all the plants and flowers without getting wet. And it's completely FREE to enter!

It was enjoyable to walk around and take photos. Some of the plants were tropical and reminded me so much of 'home'. I just wish they have a tour guide that can explain the interesting plants/flowers in the garden. I will definitely pay a fee for that.

Castle of the Moors

The view makes up for the steep stairs and fear inducing height. It's a great place to see a panoramic view of Sintra and to see the Pena National Palace from afar.

I almost forgot to write this post and now I remember why..I had a meltdown here. It was my last day in Portugal before flying back to Toronto. I was grumpy and tired after walking all day and then I arrived at the castle and saw more stairs and I lost my marbles. It's not always fun and amazing when you are on vacation. Some days, you are grumpy although you try very hard not to be. Don't get me wrong, I am always grateful for having the opportunity to travel but I am also human and I can't be happy everyday of the week or in this case for 3 weeks straight.

I had to take a few minutes to let it all go so I sat on a rock chair and took a break. See above photo. After 10 minutes, I felt a lot better and ready to tackle more steps. 

The combination of moving around every day and sleeping in different hotel rooms has finally caught up to me that day. I was tired and I wanted to just sit still. I was also unhappy to be going home the next day so it was a low day for me. Thankfully, my bf was there to support me and encourage me to keep going that day.

Looking back now, it makes me laugh to remember this day.

La Fortuna Waterfalls

Part of our itinerary was visiting Las Fortuna falls. The entrance fee was $10 usd and you must be able to traverse the 480 steep steps down to the waterfalls. It's not an easy task. I was so afraid going down the steps because it was narrow and uneven at times. Also, it was under renovation while we went there.

Going down the stairs was really scary but thankfully it's under renovation so it won't be too scary once it's done. I had to hold on to the railing and sometimes there isn't one. Thankfully my bf is such a gentleman and he was holding my hand because he knew I was silently freaking out. It was worth it once you see the majestic falls.

It was breathtaking to see this!

The water was really cold but a few people braved it and swam around.

This is on the other side of the falls. You can tan and have a picnic here.