So, I am not showing you San Carlos this week. I decided to share a little bit from my trip to Costa Rica. -Specifically, Hacienda Del Sol, which is a Wellness Resort in the Guanacaste Province.

It was just me. (Although, next time I’m bringing Matt.) I felt the need to go somewhere where I could find peace & quiet amongst nature. A beautiful place, where I wouldn't have any allergies, in the air, attacking me. A place that was warm, balmy & close to the beach. All I know is that I couldn't have made a better choice! Hacienda Del Sol was heaven & just what I needed. The only think missing was Matt. -Well, & Zephyr too. But I don't think he would totally appreciate it the way a human would.

Flying in to Liberia.

I had wanted to go to Hacienda Del Sol for probably 2 years. But it does cost more than what either Matt or I usually even consider spending on a vacation. However, we have done well at saving our pennies. And I finally decided to give myself permission to seriously consider spending this amount on myself. It did help to have Matt’s blessing. So I took the leap & made the reservation! And I couldn’t be happier that I did!

Scenes from my bungalow.

It’s so hard to find a way to describe this place & the magic it holds. I don’t know if I can do it justice but here is what I wrote in my journal after returning home:

“I miss waking up to nature sounds & views & warmth. I miss having meditation classes & yoga classes 1st thing in the morning. -A minute walk away through the jungle. I miss hearing the howler monkeys. I miss having hot coffee ready right after class. I miss eating in the open air dining area with friends. I miss eating the delicious food that I chose from the menu the day before made by a genuinely wonderful kitchen staff. I miss the pitchers of mint water in my room & at the dining table. I miss how organic & fresh everything tastes. I miss taking shuttles to different beaches in the morning. I miss swimming in the warm ocean water & having the surf kiss my skin. I miss seeing all the tiny hermit crabs on the beach like I used to when I was a little girl. I miss hearing the waves & no human voices. I miss the way the sunlight filtered through the palms & other tropical trees. I miss all the creatures of the jungle. I miss all of the yoga classes & other types of classes offered in the beautiful open air yoga temple. I miss the talented teachers & all of the different ways they teach the classes. I miss going to get a massage, even though I only did it a few times, in the spa area 30 seconds away from my bungalow. I miss all of the staff & their smiling faces. -Especially Andrea, who put up with me asking a hundred questions & letting me practice Spanish with her. I miss swimming in the saltwater pool & soaking in the hot tub amid lush vegetation. I miss the rain that quenched the jungle from time to time & hearing the thunder & seeing the flash of the lightning. I miss the meandering paths around Hacienda del Sol, the butterfly garden & the Sol Labyrinth. I miss the plethora of different colored butterflies. I miss the friends I made -Tracye, Rendi & Ally. They are incredible women. I miss the lushness of the grounds & all of the different vegetation with the vibrant colors. I miss getting into bed at night with just the screen doors closed & listening to the sounds of the jungle while drifting to sleep.”

Enchanted pathways around Hacienda del Sol.

I’m sure I will think of a lot of more things that I missed. But it was just heaven to me. I feel so blessed to have been guided there & to have that experience. I hope that many of you who are reading this, especially Matt, will have a chance to also experience this place.

I’ll let the photos do the rest of the talking. So enjoy:

Saltwater pool, hot tub, sauna & cold plunge.

Riverwalk hike.

Jungle bathing & a look at the gardens with Mila.

Morning hike to the beach with Vera.

Evening Sound Bath

Beaches:

Venus Beach

Playa Marbella - also where I went surfing one day.

Playa San Juanillo

The beautiful creatures I could get photos of:

Delicious & healthy food!

**The kitchen made a wonderful, chocolate cake for Tommy & his wife, Jamilla, on his birthday!**

Some of the beautiful souls I met:

Tracye, Ally, Milla & Me

Ally & Andrea -who is the front desk fairy!

Ally & me. Tommy in the background.

Ally & Tracye

Tracye, Rendi & Yasmin

Tracye, Matthew, Me & Rendi

I did make a video of this amazing place. However, except for the beginning, there’s no human voices or people in the video. I wanted it to be all about the nature & it’s beauty here.