Sirena River Boats at Corcovado National ParkBoats on banks of Sirena River at Corcovado National Park in Costa Rica Red Passion Flower in Full BloomRed Passion Flower or Passiflora Vitifolia with white filaments three red styles and five green anthers

Our trip to Costa Rica brought together two couples in a remote section of the country as well as a jaunt to Costa Rica's biggest city with driving through mountain passes in between. Carol, myself, Bruce and Diane Keyes parted during a cold Midwest February to explore this lush, inviting and sometimes dangerous democratic Central American country. The danger is in the natural environment which roams free and wild the way it should be in this exotic land of rushing rivers, dense forests with poison dart frogs, peccaries and tapirs as well as birds and flowers of extraordinary beauty, among other things. The Osa Peninsula captivated us with the diversity of flora and fauna as well as the knowledge and patience of professional guides who took us through the Corcovado National Park and on a boating excursion to Cano Island. Driving to our Eco-friendly lodge outside La Fortuna in northern Costa Rica was much easier than anticipated due to the modernized freeway system and reliable backroads.