PROGRAM PHOTO ALBUM
Thanks for the checking out the blog for this Global Leadership Adventures program!
Here are a few things to know and expect:
- Blog posts are written by onsite program staff and/or students and sent to our Headquarters team who will post the blog on this page.
- We typically receive 2-3 blog updates per week from each program, so please don’t be alarmed if you don’t see a blog post every day – that’s totally normal.
- Blog updates received late in the evening or overnight will be posted the following day.
- Blog updates received on weekends may not be posted until Monday.
- Due to many factors such as internet accessibility, program staff aren’t always able to send photos, so some blog posts may contain text only.
Thank you for your patience and understanding, and we hope you enjoy following along on these unforgettable adventures.
For frequently asked questions about the blogs, please visit our Program Blog FAQ page.
-The Global Leadership Adventures HQ Team
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BLOG POST FOR JULY 14
By Shay & Shane
Today was the first day in the jungle of Costa Rica. After an early breakfast everyone gathered in the studio to get to know each other and learn about the community. One of our first experiences with diving into the Costa Rican culture was getting to try some of the local fruits. Some of the fruits included rambutan, golden berries, and dragon fruit. Even though the taste of the exotic fruits wasn’t what might have been expected it was a great opportunity to immerse ourselves in the culture.
Later, after lunch we had our first encounter with the famous Playa Avellana, one of the most famous surfing beaches in the world. On the beach we were able to learn the proper form to keep us safe, from the local surf instructors. Getting in the warm water everyone got straight to surfing. Each surf instructor had two or three people keeping the experience personal. By the end everyone was able to stand and we had some great local smoothies on the way out!
BLOG POST FOR JULY 15
We woke up to the sound of low screaming just to walk outside and see howler monkeys in the trees. For breakfast that morning we all had a stack of delicious banana pancakes with watermelon. We listened to music on the way over to the ocean and did our second surfing lesson, where we surfed on waves much bigger than yesterday. There was no time for smoothies because we had to hurry back to camp to get ready for our mangrove tour. After quick showers, we indulged in a quick yoga session where we focused on our breathing.
Most of us took a nap while the rest of us hung around camp until lunch where we ate quesadillas. After a quick shower of bug spray, we were off to see the mangroves. After the bus ride, we got to the mangroves tour where our tour guide taught us about several kinds of bugs, including tarantulas, small honeybees and termites. We all had the opportunity to try the termites most of us chose not to. We walked over the mangroves on a bridge which led us to the beach we had surfed on earlier that day. we saw many crabs, hermit crabs, and fish. on our walk back over the mangroves, we all huddled around to try and look at a baby alligator.
Once we got back, we all got our dinner, which was a Arroz con Pollo and prepared for activities later on Half of our group sat in the yoga room and played card games while the other half set around the pool and relaxed. After mentor groups, we all got ready for bed preparing for the next exciting day.
Lgan, Nayeli
BLOG POST FOR JULY 16
We started the day off by waking up and eating breakfast. Today we had breakfast burritos which were pretty good. Right after we went on the bus to rancho avellanos. This farm is award winning because it is very sustainable because of how natural it is. It is a natural farm because they dont put preservatives on their food. And what they fed the animals to make anything clean. We were greeted at the farm by the owner, his daughter, and his two dogs. Then we went on a tour. On the tour we saw pigs, goats, geese, and a horse. Then we fed and milked the goats, and tried the fresh goat milk which was pretty good but warm that thur us off. Then we tried goat cheese and yogurt which was really good a d really fresh. After we each got to plant a tree and name them which was our first service fo coast rica. Then we came back to have lunch which sas chicken and rice. We had some free time to swim or nap.
After that we went to a nice local ladys house to make empanadas and play soccer which was fun. it was very eye opening to involve ourselfs in costa rican culture and very welcoming of her to let us in to her house. We then went to the shops which was also eye opening because we got to see the snacks they have in costa rica compared to where we live and the different money. We came back had dinner and then debated in our mentor group. Which was interesting to see the different sides of what each person thought.
Adrian and Kaitlin
BLOG POST FOR JULY 17
We woke up bright and early to the sound of the native Costa Rican birds singing in our ears. Walking out, we saw a colony ants marching two by two and finally, after much dreading, we spotted our first scorpion. To our delight, he went about his way and we went about ours eating delicious fruit bowls, carrot cake and banana bread for breakfast.
After breakfast, we loaded up the bus and made our way to Rancho Avellanas. After a quick and musical bus ride, we planted trees, mixed soil and learned more about sustainability with Giancarlos and his family. He even rewarded us for our work with some scrumptious hibiscus fruit juice.
We returned back to home base right in time for a wonderful lunch and dancing. It was time for a salsa dance lesson, where we all learned Guanacaste’s cultural dance of The Bull and later broke into groups for a dance competition. Afterwards a market came to visit, giving us the opportunity to buy souvenirs. We finished the day with a jaw-dropping sunset at the beach and dinner followed by mentor groups. We can’t wait for another exciting surfing day tomorrow!
Your leaders of the day,
Gisele and Simon
BLOG POST FOR JULY 18
To start off the day, we had our third surf lesson, where many of us faced challenges, due to high tide. Although some of us wiped out, we all managed to enjoy our time at the beach. After a short drive back, the team was treated to a delicious lunch at home base.
Us students were given a small break to relax after lunch, but in no time, we had a leadership development session. Included in this session, Noel taught us how to recognize our inner voices and the traits that define us. This helped understand each other and how to interact around other people.
As a reward for our undivided attention, we enjoyed an hour of free time, where we played cards and swam in the pool, which was followed by sign making for the local kids that we will see tomorrow for Sports Day.
This evening, to finish off our day, we had the amazing opportunity to go out of Home Base for dinner to experience the local community. We were able to purchase a variety of different foods, clothes, and handmade Costa Rican souvenirs. Additionally, we enjoyed a performance of a local Costa Rican singer. Overall, today was a productive and fun day, where we learned a lot about ourselves and the local community.
Jack, Iara
BLOG POST FOR JULY 19
We started the day at 6:45 at breakfast in the beautiful Costa Rican jungle in the hot humid air. For Breakfast we ate fresh huevos rancheros. After breakfast we made our way to a soccer field to play games with Costa Rican kids with the non profit organization. We started playing soccer and then we played more games like jumping rope, sack races, and a race with an egg on a spoon that we had to balance in our mouths. It was really cool to interact with all of the kids and practice our Spanish a little. At first some of them were a bit shy but they were all really nice and friendly kids. The club is run by a lovely couple who truly cares and loves each kid that joins. The couple provides equipment like soccer balls uniforms etc. It was all funded by the couples own pockets. Therefore being there and participating with the players truly felt like we were making an impact, not only on the children but the club itself. It felt good to provide them popsicles, chocolate, and fresh fruit as well as hand made posters made by us. As we handed out the food and drawings, the children’s faces lit up with joy.
Soon after our visits we made way back to the retreat to enjoy a nice lunch. Our lunch was followed by some down time, some went to their room to rest up others played in the pool. However we all met back up at around 2 to participate in a yoga class with Kevin. Kevin taught us about the power of how a yoga practice can allow you to ground yourself. He showed us how insecurity’s and anxiety block you from reaching your full potential and bettering your life. Kevin’s yoga class allowed us to let go by yelling what we want more in our life. The yoga class was not only inspiring but also calming. Shortly after yoga we went to playa negra for a sunset.
After an hour we went back to the van and headed back to home base. Right when we arrived we had chow circle before dinner and gave shout outs and announced the leaders for the next day. For dinner we had enyucadas which was potato on the outside and in the middle there was beef. After dinner everyone went to shower because we were sandy from the beach and then at 7:30 we needed the evening with a fun mentor group session. The session was a talent show were groups preformed and created acts to perform to the rest of the group. After the session we all went to bed and rested up for our next day adventure.
BLOG POST FOR JULY 20
We started our morning early at 6:45 with an absolutely scrumptious breakfast of french toast and delicious fruits. After we adventured to the barbarous boat to bask in the sun. The journey to the boat was through a bus ride led by Elvin and Carlos, our bus drivers. They kept us safe and sound while maintaining the great vibes through some sick tunes. Once we got to the boat we relaxed and stopped in a cove to take a dip. A few people swam with snorkels to examine fish and watch them swim. We had lunch on the boat followed by a trip back to land. After driving back home we ate scrumptious snacks and chillaxed around the pool. After Noelle led a breath work class, during the class we learned to focus and control our breath and connect with our bodies and minds. At the end of the class we relaxed into a quick nap lead with noel’s voice.
After we went to a local ice cream shop that’s profits go toward the nonprofit soccer league in the area. With ice cream in hand we went to the beach to watch the sunset fade beneath the sandy shoreline. While heading home in the bus we listened to more magnificent music and jammed out. When we got back we feasted on more fabulous food for dinner and enjoyed our night as a family. Today was filled with adventure and fun, making it just another successful GLA day!
BLOG POST FOR JULY 21
Our day began with a 7 am breakfast of eggs, beans, rice and tortillas. Shortly after breakfast, we met at the mangrove with Marcelo. We split into 2 groups, with the first group going on a walk through the mangrove, and the second group cleaning and painting wood to make signs for tourists and locals about taking care of our environment. The tide was very high, which led to a wet and muddy path through the mangrove. We cleaned, brushed and sanded the wood all before painting it and letting it dry out in the sun.
In the afternoon, we had our 4th surf lesson of the trip. The tide was pretty low, and the waves weren’t as big as previous days, but we still had fun and caught many waves.
In the evening, we enjoyed delicious beef tacos with a side of rice and soup. Shortly after, we had a leadership discussion with Noel in the studio. We learned about the importance of sportsmanship, discipline and leadership. Finally we played some games and then at 9:15 we went back to our cabins and then to bed.
Zadie & Mateo
More pics coming soon!
BLOG POST FOR JULY 23
After a much-appreciated lie in, we woke up to the sound of rain for the first time this trip. We ate a delicious breakfast, and then made our way to Playa Negra to participate in a beach clean up with some locals. The tide had just gone out, leaving behind plenty of microplastics for us to collect. We spent a few hours gathering as much as we could, and then finished the morning with some beach volleyball.
After spending the morning at the beach, we had a delicious lunch of pizza back at the Peace Retreat. We then headed to the beach for an afternoon surf lesson. Despite the gloomy weather and rough waves, we thoroughly enjoyed our last surfing lesson of the trip. A few of us managed to stand up for more than a few seconds, and everyone got at least one good wipeout story. We ended the day tired but happy, already looking forward to doing it all again tomorrow.
By Yasmine and Giacomo
BLOG POST FOR JULY 24
Today we started our wonderful morning by waking up at 7:30 am. We ate a delicious and nutritional breakfast, a local tico dish. After breakfast we did our last day of community service with Oropopo. The service was split into two groups, the first group was picking up garbage and exploring the mangroves while the other was making and painting signs for the awareness of pollution in Costa Rica. This made us feel like we were giving back to the community and the eco system.
We then went to a local field which had an area for working out, playing field sports and basketball. We all chose what we wanted to play, some of us chose basketball while others played ultimate frisbee and football. We gained a new perspective on the daily life of the locals. Getting this chance to leave the Peace Retreat let us get a lot of tension and energy out of our body.
After this we had our last meditation and breathing session. We focused on feeling a new sense of euphoria and controlling our body’s water mass by humming. We also did our usual breathing exercises which have now made us realise how much you can control your body’s capacity. We then took our final sunset trip to Playa Negra and swam in the ocean, amongst us was a turtle in the waves. We were quite sad to leave this beach but enjoyed all the memories we had made there over the course of the two weeks.
When we got back, we had our final dinner at Peace Retreat. The staff conjoined all three tables so all the students could sit together as a family dinner. We really enjoyed the effort they put into the food and the setting of the table it was a very memorable way to end our last full day at Peace Retreat!
-Clementine and Miles
BLOG POST FOR JULY 25
Today was a very emotional day for all of us. Sadly we had to leave behind our first home that we lived at for almost two weeks and made so many memories together. Lucky this morning we got to sleep until 8am before we got some time to finish packing.
The leaders of the day (us) had to do room checks in every single cabin to make sure nothing was left behind. Then we grabbed all of our suitcases and backpacks and hopped on the bus, awaiting a 4 hour ride. Half way through we got to take a break so we stopped at a souvenir shop and a market where we were able to buy souvenirs for our families and snacks for the second half of the ride. Then we sat back on the bus to continue our journey. Getting closer to the resort we saw a bunch of cows, horses, ginormous wind turbines, and smoking volcanoes.
Once we arrived to our new home, we were graciously welcomed with splendid strawberry daiquiris. After that we found out our roommates and went to see our new rooms. We were surprised to find air conditioning, a tv, a queen sized bed for each roommate, and a full bathroom with our own shower and sink. Then we took a slide down to the pool and went in the hot springs.
After that we freshened up and gathered around to have our second to last chow circle and dinner. We had the options of eating grilled chicken and fries, fried fish, rice and vegetables for those who are vegetarian, and lastly spaghetti pomodorro. We ended our dinner with a strawberry milk cake for desert. We ended the day with our final mentor group where we shared kind messages about each other. That was it, this beautiful day came to an end. See you tomorrow for our last day and excursion.
– Niko & Ilona
