ignoring the fiscal cliff....

"I have a New Year’s tradition: I lay all my travel dreams on the table, sort them out, prioritize, and begin the process of turning those dreams into reality."

--- Rick Steves, travel guru

 

Merry Christmas!

comfort & joy

buenos dias!

“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines, sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” – Mark Twain

Hola!

(I'm trying to refresh what I learned in my 7th grade Spanish class.)

... because ...

Sal and I have an amazing adventure planned for springtime 2013 ... we're going to COSTA RICA! I can't wait to experience this beautiful place and its exotic flora/fauna and eco-minded culture!

Costa Rica seems to have it all ... exotic wildlife! natural beauty! volcanoes! rainforests! waterfalls! beaches! spas! adventure!

So, can you picture me ziplining ?? Me neither frankly, LOL. I'm not the bravest gal when it comes to heights and/or speed, but I'm gonna push myself to experience this quintessential Costa Rican adrenaline rush thru the rainforest canopy! Travel is about new experiences, personal growth. Right? That said, my palms are already sweating.... tango miedo! (yes, I've already learned how to say "I'm afraid" in Spanish!)

Anyway, I've booked us into a variety of accommodations, to experience different aspects of Costa Rican life... an eco-lodge in a rainforest, a villa overlooking the ocean, a resort (and spa, of course!) at the base of a volcano, and a Costa Rican home converted into a charming inn.

SO excited !! I've already got a 2013 Costa Rica calendar, all ready to hang up on January 1st. (I always get a calendar that features our destination for the upcoming year--- to me, the anticipation is half the fun of travel !!)

There are 2 movies coming out in 2013 that were filmed in Costa Rica... The Librarian, an apparent chick flick (that I can't wait to see!). Click HERE to check out the trailer.

And perhaps more to Sal's taste in movies, Will Smith filmed a sci-fi film, After Earth, in the area around Arenal Volcano (which will be our first stop in Costa Rica).  It hits theaters next summer. Click HERE to watch the trailer.

And I'm beginning to plan some summer travel too... can't wait to share the destination with you!.... hint: compared to lush Costa Rica, it's a barren place. But like Costa Rica, it too is volcanically active. Guesses?

Enjoy the weekend...

Adios,

Susan

ho ho whoa!

Hey Santa... check out my new hat!

Thank you Pier 1 for this sparkly version of what The Big Guy wears!

beach day!

Susie snowflake

Picked up this fun blingy velvet snowflake pillow today at Pier 1... LOVE it !!

stunning!

irresistible!

and did I mention sparkly ??