Well, there’s the man himself. We are here for one reason only. To finally take a family vacation together and experience something “outside the box,” not Western Europe, Asia, the Far East or other exotic region. We wanted to stay closer to home on this continent, so we opted for a mini-break to help mark a significant birthday.

We are marking his “71st” birthday, by exploring Central America together for the first time. A balanced view of both ghastly consumption, luxury and vulgarity, along with nature, wildlife, and memorable intangible, amazing tropical experiences. Steven and Ernest enjoyed quality time together doing physically challenging activities like ripping on zip lines through the rain forest, snorkeling off the Pacific from their catamaran tour offered by the Four Seasons Concierge services. Will have to transfer those photos from Steven’s iPhone to capture their days together. July07

There he is again, this time on board our flight EWR-LIR enjoying an in-flight lunch, world’s away as I try to distract his attention.

Overlooking the easternmost coast of the Pacific, there lies Costa Rica below us.

There’s the famous arched beach along the northwest coast of Nicaragua and Honduras.

My in-flight narrative continues while deciphering where exactly we are at this point, but considering we’ve already begun our descent and approach to Liberia/San Jose, Costa Rica – our pilot announced – I can guess we are traveling just southwest of Nicaragua.

Somewhat shaky from my wobbly hands, there’s my first close-up look the very green areas of Costa Rica just north of the Daniel Oduber Quiros International Airport (Liberia International).

Straight off, de-planing at Liberia Int’l. Jul07

Circle at the main entrance to the Four Seasons Guanacaste property, just outside the lobby.

Luckily, we arrived on-time to the island in the Guanacaste region Papagayo on the Four Seasons property. Here’s my first view of the Pacific ocean just off our terrace.

Opting for a morning walk before breakfast, we head down the pathways toward the Four Seasons main dining room.

Just above the Spa entrance at the Four Seasons – multiple treatments to be rated and reviewed – to be updated.

Standing on our terrace overlooking the other tree houses (villas) to the northeast from our location.

Loosened rocks as they lay from fallen larger boulders on the grounds of the Four Seasons private beach. Jul07

Steven pausing from our morning hike on the private grounds of the Four Seasons beach. Jul07.

Taken within the grounds amid the Four Seasons tree houses, like flora and fauna markers indicating which breed of vegetation we are encountering; mostly protected from wildlife.

Couldn’t help but notice this poor tree, barely hanging onto the side of the hill from major erosion. The manager had explained at one point that beach and land erosion has been the worst in many years.

Just outside our Master bedroom was a climbing White-Faced Capuchin Monkey, dangling from one branch to another, eventually barreling out a screeching-high pitched ca-cah-ca-cah for our listening ears.

Main entry lobby of the Four Seasons Guanacaste Papagayo peninsula. Jul07