Vacation!

1moretimetho

Just a few years ago, I went on my first real vacation, and was lucky enough to go on another just months ago. I love to hear about other people's experiences because i'm alwayssss thinking about what trip is going to be next! So come on, come in and gloat about your vacation. Include pics if you want. Maybe someone will be inspired by your story and decide to go there, too.


My first vacation I went to Costa Rica, this was a few years ago. We went right after Christmas and through new years. Airfare was relatively cheap, around 600 each for roundtrip business class. I'm crazy, so I made the plans to land at the major airport (San Jose) and rent a car to drive to the west coast and Nicoya peninsula. We were headed for the small surfer/fishing/tourist town of Montezuma. It was a really cool experience, driving and taking the car ferry across. Somewhat scary, as the roads on the peninsula are almost all dirt, practically vertical and winding. I rented a cabin high up on the mountain side. No TV and no A/C. But the french doors out to the deck made up for it. It was cheap at around $400 for the week. And it was beautiful. The geckos crawling around on the ceiling and chirping not so beautiful. The spiders and ants not so beautiful either. But wow, what an experience and what a view. And the outdoor shower, wow. We spent the week going to the beach down below, complete with only 5 other people at any given time. Hiked to a waterfall, jumped. Just drove all around the southern part of the peninsula taking it all in and relaxing.
vid: http://youtu.be/OUxCEs-nwYA


And, just this past September, we decided to go to Greece. Airfare was a bit more, about $900 and coach. Getting over there was crap, because United, bleh. But Swiss Air was great! We landed at Athens International and immediately headed to the port via amazingly fast taxi driver. Great experience using my limited knowledge of Greek to get us some speedboat tickets across to the small island of Aegina. I chose Aegina for its close proximity and it's ability to stay somewhat un-touristed. We stayed at a family run hotel on the island and wow, what great hospitality. Love that mother & son duo. We hiked up to the famous ruins on the island (Aphia temple) and then across to one of the island's ports, Agia Marina. No small feat. Spent our time relaxing at the nearby beach and eating am-az-ing food everywhere. We headed over to Athens, because..you gotta. I set us up in a basic, affordable but close to the action apartment rental. Yeah, it was in the basement, but it had this awesome back patio that was completely private. That sealed the deal. In Athens we did all the typical stuff, walked the Plaka, saw the Acropolis, etc, etc. It rounded out the vacation very nicely. My favorite so far!
vid: http://youtu.be/gHkwnx0KTOw

Okay, your turn!