The age when Truman fell in love with the beach!

When he was not quite 2 years old, we spent a week on the Gulf Coast of Florida (along Highway 30-A between Rosemary and Seaside, if you are familiar with the area). Truman took to the water like a fish. He played in the surf (probably drank a gallon of seawater) and rolled in the sand (probably ate a pound of that) and played in the pool and slept hard every night. The day we packed up the car and headed home, my son slept the entire way. He woke as we pulled in the driveway and began wailing. We eventually got him inside and for a solid hour he laid on the floor, kicking and screaming, “BEACH HOUSE! BEACH HOUSE!”

We stood over him in amazement. I said to Rick, “Quick, call your parents! Tell them he wants a beach house!” (Rick’s folks buy Truman a gift every time they seem him – which is almost weekly – and they let him want for nothing.) Unfortunately, (and amazingly) they didn’t bite on the beach house request.

We’ve decided, once Truman is in college, that we must retire to the beach – any beach. Right now our top choice is Costa Rica. I’d put Santa Barbara second but we wouldn’t be able to afford much there. I suppose we could live inland near the wine country but then we’d be drunk the whole time. (For that same reason, I couldn’t live in Belgium.) My Our third choice would probably be our favorite strip there along Highway 30-A in Florida. But I’m not ruling out Hawaii. Especially now!

WinHawaiianHome.com is having a contest where you can win this custom-built Hawaiian home “nestled in an enchanted forest with singing frogs about a mile and a half from a gorgeous black sand beach that is home to 30-40 dolphins.” No kidding.

Win this house in Hawaii!

To enter, all you have to do is write a 101-word or less essay and pony up $101. The contest is supervised by legal council and guarantees that each entry will be read. A group of judges will decide the winner of the house as well as second- and third-place winners who will receive $10,000 and $5,000 respectively. Other prizes may also be given.

You’d better hurry because the deadline is May 1, 2009.

If the goal of 6,000 entries is not met by that time, the contest will be extended 101 more days. And if by then the entries still come up short, cash prizes will be awarded based on the number of entries received.

For details, visit www.winhawaiianhome.com.

HURRY!

JWJourney

Post from: Blisstree

Stop Whining and Win this Hawaiian House!

Location: Climbing down a palm tree on the beach
Destination: Tamarindo
Country: Costa Rica
Year Taken: 2008

Photographer: Jon Rochetti
Blog: The DC Traveler

An interesting guest, a friendly iguana, visited my hotel’s pool area every afternoon. 

He seemed unphased and uninterested in all the guests lounging, walking by or running away in fear.

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Post from: Blisstree

A Unique Poolside Guest in Costa Rica

Location: At a roadside rest stop
Destination: Near the town of Alajuela 
Country: Costa Rica
Year Taken: 2008

Photographer: Jon Rochetti
Blog: The DC Traveler

Regardless of the age or condition of the sign….this is  a welcomed  sign in any language, in any country. 

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Post from: Blisstree

A Welcomed Sign…in any Country

Location:  Tamarindo Beach, in front of the Tamarindo Diria Beach and Golf Resort
Destination:  Tamarindo
Country: Costa Rica
Year Taken: 2008

Photographer: Jon Rochetti
Blog: The DC Traveler

A picturesque sunset over the Pacific Ocean as a surfer ends his day in the surf. 

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Post from: Blisstree

After a Final Sunset Surf Ride in Tamarindo, Costa Rica

Location: The National Theater of Costa Rica or Teatro Nacional de Costa Rica
Destination: On the on the ‘plaza de la cultura’, San Jose, Costa Rica
Country: Costa Rica
Year Taken: 2008

Photographer: Jon Rochetti
Blog: The DC Traveler

The National Theater of Costa Rica host the National Symphony Orchestra and other performances during the year.

It first opening in 1897, after the Costa Rican president, José Joaquín Rodríguez, levied a tax on the country’s top export, coffee, to fund the project.

The 1,000 seat theater is reminiscent of old world European theaters, with it lavish pink Italian marble and green and gold-themed lobby, Italian paintings, sculptures and ceiling frescos.  It’s Baroque architectural style is similar to the Opera House in Paris.

For inside photos, check this link.

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Post from: Blisstree

The National Theater in San Jose, Costa Rica