Jen and Kylan Lundeen

San Antonio de Belen, Alajuela, Costa Rica.
Kylan served in this area for 6 months and made some lasting relationships with members and converts. The temple was dedicated while Kylan was serving in Costa Rica, so it meant a lot for him to be able to return.

By the end of the trip, it was very easy to tell that the presence of the temple in this country has made a huge impact on the amount of growth and development the church has enjoyed in the past ten years.

Yes, they were absolutely as good as they look. Maybe even better.
Turkey dinner doesn't even stand a chance.
Happy thanksgiving from Costa Rica!
The fresh fruit "batidos" or smoothies, were hands down the best part of the Tico diet. Guanabana, Sandia, Cas, Pina, Tamarindo, Mango, Papaya, Banano, Mora, Fresa, etc. Every single meal we each got our own. Good thing the Hada's were willing to dine "family style" so we could all enjoy the amazing variety of flavors.
P.S. Guanabana will change your life.
Tabacon Resort. La Fortuna, Costa Rica: Parque National, Volcan Arenal.
The standard for paradise has been set.

Uh, yeah, that's real.

The volcanic hot springs range from cool to 104 F, take your pick. One of our favorites was a long bench behind one of the falls (see behind us in the picture). It was like getting a massage, in a steam room, while having a facial, while sitting next to your soul mate.

One of our favorite parts of Tabacon was the absence of any signs anywhere that prohibited exploring. Apparently, anything goes at Tabacon. We hiked up and up and up to find the most remote and isolated pools we could find. Out first night there, we hiked up a dozen falls or so, then just enjoyed a cool sprinkle of rain on our faces as we stared at the stars. Ok, I'm being a little dramatic, but seriously, it was just perfect.

There's just something very natural about staying at a five star resort. From being served pina coladas during check-in to breakfast in the jungle, we liked it.

Hey, everyone travels on a budget, right? No one said anything about five star breakfast every morning. That's just crazy.

Patacones stole the show for Jen. Take an unripe plantain, smash it with a hammer, and then deep fry the daylights out of it...heaven.

The most typical of all Costa Rican meals. The casado. Beans, rice, and your choice of bifstek, camarones, pollo, o pescado.
Deep fried...good. Plantain...great. Deep fried uber-ripe plantain...nasty crap.
If it looks like we are glowing, it's just the aftermath of our hour massages in town. Swedish massage, hot stones, chocolate mask, and a VERY ticklish Rich Hada in the room next door.