Wow! It seems like just yesterday we were all in little Bahia Ballena working hard to protect the Pacific Ocean. I can close my eyes and so clearly see scarlet macaws flying over our heads, smell the rice and beans cooking for dinner, and hear Canelo and Soul chasing each other around the home base. You’re all probably back at school, getting back into the swing of your sports, clubs, and activities. While dreaming of returning to Costa Rica at night!

We worked so incredibly hard as a team and made a massive difference in a little community. All our baby trees are still working hard to grow big and strong one day! The trees we transplanted will be home to sloths, monkeys, or even bats some day! Thanks to the hard work you put into all those tree protectors, they will be safe to grow and play their role in the ecosystem. PHEW we did a lot of service!

I also love to reflect on all the adventures we had! We surfed some gnarly waves, took an hour and a half boat ride (where we saw DOLPHINS and WHALES) to the most magical place on earth (aka Corcovado National Park), hiked out to a naturally formed whale tale sand bar, splashed and swam in a waterfall, and ziplined/repelled/swung through the jungle canopy! It was so amazing to have all these adrenaline-filled and eye-opening adventures in the very same beaches and jungles we were working so hard to protect and preserve.

Our team really was the epitome of work hard/play hard. We had so much fun dancing to different Latin vibes, cooking with Dona Dora and Sonia, playing games in the pool, and jamming to music on the many bus rides.

We all miss you so much and hope that you’ve been able to make even more eco-friendly decisions and take some action back home to your own communities since our 14 days together.

Pura Vida!
-Hannah and the rest of the Protecting the Pacific team!

 

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Hey Ptp3!!!! Sometimes it feels like a distant dream that we were all together in tropical Costa Rica. Other times, it feels like just yesterday that we were there working hard to protect the Pacific Ocean and learn as much as we could about the environment and ourselves. I can close my eyes and clearly see scarlet macaws flying over our heads, smell the fried yuca cooking for dinner, and hear Canelo and Soul chasing each other around the home base. You’re all probably back at school, getting back into the swing of your sports, clubs, and activities. At night, you might dream of laying by the pool deck, counting shooting stars.

We worked so incredibly hard as a team and made an authentic impact on the ecosystem around a little Costa Rican community. All of our baby trees are still working hard to grow big and strong one day! Thanks to the hard work you put into all those tree protectors, they will be safe to grow and play their role in the environment. I know the swamp was tough work, and you all really made us proud stomping through it at the side of a happy caiman family.

I also really love to reflect on all the adventures we had. We surfed some sweet waves, hiked out to a naturally formed whale tale, splashed and swam in a waterfall, and ziplined/repelled/swung through the jungle canopy! I’m sure none of us will ever forget the BABY HUMPBACK WHALE on the way back from Corcovado National Park that was as curious about us as we were about it. It was really spectacular to share that experience with such a bright and unique group of people. Overall, it was really fulfilling to have all of these adrenaline-filled and eye-opening adventures in the very same beaches and jungles we were working so hard to protect and preserve.

In hindsight, our team really was the epitome of work hard/play hard. We had so much fun dancing to various Latin vibes, cooking with Dona Dora and Gerrie, playing games in the pool (my eyes still burn), and jamming to music on the many bus rides.

We all truly miss you so much and hope that you’ve been able to apply some of what we learned together in your lives back home. I truly believe that we are better individuals because each of you joined our program, and I hope you feel that you grew as people as well. Remember, stay creative, stay true to yourselves. If we all only did what we were taught, nothing would ever change. Be that change, Ptp3.

Pura Vida and lots of love,
-Hannah, Sam, Gerrie, and the rest of the Protecting the Pacific team

 

Feeling nostalgic? You can experience that same sense of friendship and adventure abroad again! Check out all our 2019 programs, or enroll now.

Wow! It seems like just yesterday we were all in little Bahia Ballena working hard to protect the Pacific Ocean. I can close my eyes and so clearly see scarlet macaws flying over our heads, smell the rice and beans cooking for dinner, and hear Canelo and Soul chasing each other around the home base. You’re all probably back at school, getting back into the swing of your sports, clubs, and activities. While dreaming of returning to Costa Rica at night!

We worked so incredibly hard as a team and made a massive difference in a little community. All our baby trees are still working hard to grow big and strong one day! Our trees by the river might be home to sloths, monkeys, or even bats some day! All those cute little animals will have us to thank! The banks will also thank us for providing strong roots and biodiversity that will help prevent erosion and keep the river bank strong for years and years to come. Thanks to the hard work you put into all those tree protectors, they will be safe to grow and play their role in the ecosystem. PHEW we did a lot of service!

I also love to reflect on all the adventures we had! We surfed some gnarly waves, took an hour and a half boat ride (where we saw DOLPHINS) to the most magical place on earth (aka Corcovado National Park), hiked out to a naturally formed whale tale sand bar, splashed and swam in a waterfall, and ziplined/repelled/swung through the jungle canopy! It was so amazing to have all these adrenaline-filled and eye-opening adventures in the very same beaches and jungles we were working so hard to protect and preserve.

Our team really was the epitome of work hard/play hard. We had so much fun swimming in the river after service, dancing to different Latin vibes, cooking with Dona Dora and Sonia, playing games in the pool, and jamming to music on the many bus rides.

We all miss you so much and hope that you’ve been able to make even more eco-friendly decisions and take some action back home to your own communities since our 14 days together.

Pura Vida!

-Hannah and the rest of the Protecting the Pacific team!

 

Feeling nostalgic? You can experience that same sense of friendship and adventure abroad again! Check out all our 2019 programs, or enroll now.

Wow! It seems like just yesterday we were all in little Bahia Ballena working hard to protect the Pacific Ocean. I can close my eyes and so clearly see scarlet macaws flying over our heads, smell the rice and beans cooking for dinner, and hear Canelo and Soul chasing each other around the home base. You’re all probably back at school, getting back into the swing of your sports, clubs, and activities. While dreaming of returning to Costa Rica at night!

We worked so incredibly hard as a team and made a massive difference in a little community. All our baby trees are still working hard to grow big and strong one day! Our trees on the beach might be home to sloths, monkeys, or even bats some day! All those cute little animals will have us to thank! The beach will also thank us for providing strong roots and biodiversity that will help prevent erosion and keep the beach strong for years and years to come.

Our baby river trees will provide a lovely path with cool shade for ticos and ticas to walk along and enjoy nature, while also keeping the river banks strong and sturdy! The mini viveros are looking pristine and pretty in hotels, where guests have been inspired to make a purchase and plant a tree! It really is the gift that keeps on giving. Finally, our colorful trash stands are placed all over the community helping to keep Bahia Ballena clean! PHEW we did a lot of service!

I also love to reflect on all the adventures we had! We got totally tubular and surfed some gnarly waves, took an hour and a half boat ride (where we saw WHALES) to the most magical place on earth (aka Corcovado National Park), hiked out to a naturally formed whale tale sand bar, splashed and swam in a waterfall, and ziplined/repelled/swung through the jungle canopy! It was so amazing to have all these adrenaline-filled and eye-opening adventures in the very same beaches and jungles we were working so hard to protect and preserve.

Our team really was the epitome of work hard/play hard. We had so much fun quoting vines, swimming in the river after service, dancing with Charlie the Street Drummer after eating pizza, cooking with Dona Dora and Sonia, playing games in the pool, and jamming to music on the many bus rides.

We all miss you so much and hope that you’ve been able to make even more eco-friendly decisions and take some action back home to your own communities since our 14 days together.

Pura Vida,

-Shannon and the rest of the Protecting the Pacific team!

 

Feeling nostalgic? You can experience that same sense of friendship and adventure abroad again! Check out all our 2019 programs, or enroll now.

When I say “Costa” you say “Rica!” Costa, Rica! Costa Rica!

Hola amigos! We can’t believe it has been so long since we were all gathered together in Rancho Quemado. Hope you all dried out after that crazy last walk to our home-base at Laguna del Valle in the pouring rain! Although it’s been a while since we have actually been in Osa Peninsula, our impact remains with the community.

The work we did making the wall in front of the library, painting the library and the plaza fence, and working on the land uprooting and replanting made such a difference to the community. Just imagine the smiling faces of the children, Yolanda, Jessica, and more friends using the colorful library and enjoying of all the work we did!

Not only did our service work leave the community in wonderful shape, also our time-shared doing things with the local people left a strong impact. Remember learning from Johnny at the Trapiche and tasting all the different types of sugar cane? Also, horse-back riding with Sandro and learning from Vistor about the incredible biodiversity in Rancho Quemado was an amazing experience. Spending time learning lessons from Abuelos was incredible and learning how to make delicious homemade tortillas—how rico! Those experiences were not only special for us but helped the whole town of Rancho Quemado prepare for eco-tourism. Has anyone tried to make heart of palm at home?! How about mining for gold?? 😉

Something else to reflect on is all the incredible nature we experienced there. It was amazing when we saw that big school of fish while snorkeling, and all the plants and trees we saw while zip-lining through the jungle. Not to mention our time at Dante lodge and Corcovado, how amazing to be surrounded by nature like that! We hope you are still continuing to find the nature at home, and to appreciate the environment around you.

Special Moments We Shared:

-Talking with Robert in the Sensory Garden

-Swimming and playing chicken in Playa Blanca

-Soccer and basketball with the community

-Opening coconuts on Islay de Caño

-Eating pizza on the last night in Alajeula

-Cooking class and making delicious juice

-Seeing monkeys in the trees

-Not stepping on snakes during our walk to Abuelos

-Two minutes of silence on the Plataforma before our night hike

We shared so many laughs during our time together—our group was so lucky to have such a close bond. We miss you all and know that our time in Rancho Quemado will always be in our hearts!

Pura Vida, everyone, hope all is well!

Laaauuuuren, Hannacita, and DiNamita

 

Feeling nostalgic? You can experience that same sense of friendship and adventure abroad again! Check out all our 2019 programs, or enroll now.