July 3 - Goodbye Costa Rica!

It has been a wonderful trip. Toyota treated us very well. I learned a lot about how complicated it is to try and live in a sustainable way. Costa Rica has a lot to teach us but it also has a lot to learn. We all have to work hard to secure a healthy environment for ourselves and our children.

July 2 Final Group Dinner at La Verbena Restaurant

We returned to the Hotel Aurola in San Jose today for our final night in Costa Rica. We did our presentations and then had a farewell dinner at La Verbena Restaurant. They grow all the food for their restaurant on their farm. We had a wonderful dinner and said our sad farewells.

Our wonderful guides...Isa and Julio.

July 1 Arenal Hanging Bridges, Hotel Kioro & Arenal Volcano

What a way to end our fabulous trip! A hike through the Arena Hanging Bridges Rain Forest was the highlight of the day. We saw three poisonous eyelash vipers. Then we relaxed in the hot springs and enjoyed the view from our hotel room.

June 30, 2010 Home Stay

We stayed overnight at Finca Maria Jose, named for the youngest daughter. Quite an operation. They raise their own pigs, ducks, chickens, rabbits, talapia and a few cows and sheep. They also grow a variety of herbs and vegetables. A small biodigester turns the manure into gas for cooking. As a sideline they make soap and host ecotourists. This is a side of Costa Rica that few tourist ever see.

July 29 Touring EARTH'S Sustainable Farm

Earth Universities sustainable banana plantation. Banana's grown here show up on the shelves of Whole Food markets. Watch out for the banana train!

July 29 Touring EARTH'S Sustainable Farm

Sustainable agriculture....It can be done! This is the biodigester turning manure into methane gas that is captured and used to run the electricity.

July 28 Costa Flores Garden

After a busy day visiting the school, we had a BBQ with Cimarrona and Mascarada at the Costa Flores Garden. Pretty incredible!