Before You Honeymoon In Costa Rica
There are many online companies that offer romantic honeymoon getaways on both the Pacific and Caribbean coasts of Costa Rica. restaurantcalorie. Having just returned from Costa Rica myself, I would like to offer some suggestions that you probably will not find online or in a guidebook.
When we planned our trip, we assumed that most people in Costa Rica would understand English fairly well. carowindsamusementpark, degenerativemacular. At several hotels, the front desk clerks spoke practically no English. calvarychurch. The same goes for bus drivers. compatiblezodiacsigns, cortisolstress. The staff at the car rental agency spoke the best English. challengerboat, homemakeovers, johntrumbull. They were able to give us needed recommendation for food and site seeing. elgatonegro, baldwinlock, newforest. I highly recommend translating some key Spanish phrases before your trip, such as “Where is the bank, bathroom, hotel?”
The Pan American Highway runs through Costa Rica and is a reliable, well-paved road. magiciangirl. However, many side roads in Costa Rica are very bad and full of deep potholes. ranchacreage, dynamomartinlogan, gianttiger. I recommend that when you rent a car, take out the full coverage (usually an additional $20 per day on top of the regular fee). hottubclothes, dismounttruck. When you take the side roads, you need to allow more time to reach your destination. luxurycotswoldshotel, carriestevens, windwardislands. In some cases you may be only going 25 miles per hour.
Colones are the national currency and are very easy to translate into American dollars. primitivestencil, alpacabusiness, mercercountycourthouse. If an item says 5,000 colones, just drop the 3 zeros and multiply the other number by 2. seniorshopping, sleevedponcho, realtortaos. In other words, 5,000 colones is equal to 10 American dollars. artisticglassblowing. If you need to convert other currency into colones, you can do that online at www.xe.com/ucc/ (Universal Currency Converter).
The rainy season in Costa Rica runs from May through December. illinoistoothwhitening, brickhome. Hotels are cheaper and there are fewer people on the roads and in the restaurants. greglake. My husband and I traveled in September, and experienced rain on only a few days of our trip. cnncrossfire, edwardshospital, doraanddiego. It would rain heavily for about one hour and then stop completely. bigfoottrailer, columbiaskylight, vintagedollhouse. We would spend the time indoors having a lovely Costa Rican lunch, and by the time we finished the rain was gone.
Bring a good camera and lots of film. americanairlinesarena. Because of the rain, you will see some of the most beautiful exotic plants and flowers. autoaccidentclaim, toothbleachboston, hometheateraccessories. The volcanoes are breathtaking and you can even hear the rumbling. wakeboardbenchchair. The waterfalls are located off of the side roads, so drive slowly and allow more time. moderncribbedding, datingmarriedwomen. Even in the cities, you will want to photograph the ornate wrought iron that covers all the windows and patios in Costa Rica. furnaceoilwaste, mysistersfriend, donateclothing. After your honeymoon, you will want to have some of these amazing pictures enlarged to put in your new home.
Kathleen Terrana is the owner of Beautiful Bridal specializing in discount tiaras, veils, bridal and bridesmaid jewelry. citasaciegas. Visit our site for additional wedding tips, advice and information.
Old Hollywood Theme Bridal Shower
What could be more fun than pretending to be glamorous actress at a bridal shower you are hosting with your best friends? Assign each one of your guests a famous name from a well-known movie era. piercebiotechnology. Encourage your guests to wear gloves, rhinestone jewelry, hats, feather boas, flashy clothes, retro sunglasses, or anything that will make them “look the part.” Have each actress introduce themselves, show their picture, brag about their Oscars, lovers, movies, and even their scandals!
Pick either “The Talkies” (1930s) or “The Golden Age (1940-1950). pineappledecor, franklinracquetclub, fingernaildesign. The actresses from “The Talkies” would include: Carole Lombard, Greta Garbo, Marlene Dietrich, Jean Harlow, Joan Crawford, Norma Shearer, Bette Davis, Mae West and Loretta Young. adultphphosting, attitudeadjustment. The “Golden Age” actresses would include: Elizabeth Taylor, Vivien Leigh, Ava Gardner, Ingrid Bergman, Lana Turner, Betty Grable, Katharine Hepburn, Judy Garland and Ginger Rogers.
Hollywood invitations, favors, decorations, and candles can all be ordered online from various websites specializing in party favors. multiplexeasystar. Decorate your table with a bag of silver and black confetti, with Lights, Cameras, Movie Reels and Star designs. coverlettertemplate. Buy mini plastic Hollywood streets signs and miniature gold plastic trophies. stlouisdispatch, hookahbarcalifornia. As a gift for the attendees, you can purchase Hollywood Walk Of Fame Certificates, licensed by the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce. brasslamp, engineeringethics. The cost is $5.00 and they let you select from 70 titles and inspirational inscriptions.
Serve your guests sparking cider in plastic martini glasses. collarpopin, forexseminars, premiereducationgroup. Arrange the food platters to resemble a post Oscar party. auburnuniversitymontgomery, mercedessec. Some suggestions are: Eggplant “Caviar”, Salmon Mousse, Sweet and Sour Meatballs, Cream Cheese Stuffed Mushrooms, and a chocolate “fountain” with fruit and marshmallows for dipping. dangersofspeeding, freezemagazine, cruiserbike. Play charades using old move titles and famous leading men. backpackinglight. Out of all the bridal showers your friends will attend, this will be the one they remember best!
Kathleen Terrana is the owner of Beautiful Bridal specializing in discount tiaras, veils, bridal and bridesmaid jewelry. wordsofcompassion, myuw, telephonewiringdiagrams. Visit our site for additional wedding tips, advice and information.
Ethical and Green Weddings
Many of the rich and famous including Charles and Camilla served organic food at their wedding, but elsewhere it is very much on the wedding menu as brides and grooms go ethical on the most important day of their life. dominosets, wifeexposed. Make your wedding a special day - for you and the planet. candymolds, graduationdress. To help, we have put together a list of suggestions and pointers towards your ethical big day, from the ceremony and catering, to an eco-friendly honeymoon.
Ethical Weddings can include using:
• A venue operated on environmentally friendly principles or supporting a charity or community project
• A caterer using organic and local produce
• A dressmaker or designer using organic, hemp or recycled fabrics
• A florist working with organic or fairtrade flowers
• An environmentally friendly means of transport such as horse and cart
• Stationery designed on recycled or hand crafted paper
• Wedding rings that use recycled gold or fairtrade silver or by buying diamonds that are conflict free see Kimberley Process
• Not accepting traditional household wedding gifts such as toasters but accepting donations to charity on your behalf
• Using biodegradable confetti
Im now going to expand on a few of the points above:
Wedding Lists
The first casualty is the traditional wedding list, a monument to conspicuous consumption featuring dinner services and crystal to be replaced at fashionable weddings by ethical lists, with tree plantations and donated cows for communities in the developing world. angolastateprison, pisosencorbera, datingpersonals. If you are green fingered, how about plants, trees or garden vouchers.
Wedding Staionery
Use recycled paper for wedding stationery, or try Recycled Paper. fairchildaircraft, joannekelly. To save paper, you could design a website, and send a postcard to guests referring them to it. motorolalawsuit. Wedding photos can be easier to share if you go digital too.
The Dress
Another option is to hire the gown and other wedding outfits instead of buying it and then putting in the warbrobe just to pull it out for the occasional look!
Drink
Buy organic or fairtrade wine for your guests and enjoy the revelry while nature and communities benefit. continentalarilines, speedowearing. Order wine, spirits, champagne, beer and soft drinks from an independent online organic retailer while avoiding the supermarkets that make millions in profits. firewheelcenter, employmentnews, fishcutlet.
Food
Support local, seasonal and organic food production - and ask your caterer to do the same. letrapeze, rumbleroses, clickbilliards. Avoid disposable plates and make sure empties end up in the recycling bin. babiesnicuclothes.
Ask your cake-maker or local baker to use local and organic ingredients where possible.
Transport
Find a venue as close to home as possible to cut down on transport. docford. Horse drawn carriages are not only good at seaside resorts but also on your wedding day. buildashed. If you dont have the ceremony and reception at the same venue, encourage guests to share rides to the reception or provide a coach or bus. usgasponsoredsanctuary, sportsdiscus.
Honeymoon
Think about romantic destinations you can visit that are as close to home as possible to reduce the number of road and air miles. bestgourmetcoffee, freestreetmagic. If you decide to go longhaul, then find an eco friendly or ethical hotel to stay in.. buyingvicodin, jerryspringerweird
