I have to thank both Summer and the insane, kayaking photographer that helped me to be able to fully document this epic wedding:)  All I can say is that from the second we landed our little flying minivan, puddle jumper into the Manuel Antonio Rainforest and got picked up by the Owners of the Rafiki Lodge in a truck with their two dogs and a six pack of beer, I knew we would never be the same:) The following 5 days was a non-stop whirlwind of amazing hikes to waterfalls (with Lautije as our “Google of the Jungle”. He knew everything about every plant and animal along the way!), family dinners with wine and some of the most delicious food and conversation (including  a South African style Pig Roast for the rehearsal dinner and the fabulous Chef Rob they brought in), White Water Rafting (one of the most fun experiences of my life….a little insane to do 3 hours before the wedding ceremony, but we survived:), Horseback riding to the little local village and having a traditional Tica meal prepared for us (only one person fell off the horse, not naming any names but it rhymes with “Greg”:)), sliding down Rafiki’s turbo speed waterslide…over and over and over, relaxing, bird watching, massages, manicures…..OH, YEAH….AND a gorgeous wedding!  We almost forgot about the ceremony too with all of the excitement of the trip.   I really felt that we got to experience the local flavor too.  I even got to kick around a soccer ball with the villagers. I was really honored to be invited on this trip and couldn’t have imagined missing it. Summer and I went on to visit Costa Verde (Rafiki’s sister hotel by the beach) with their crazy Oliver North planes converted into honeymoon suites, bars and restaurants, hike the Arenal Volcano, sit in the volcanic hot springs and go mountain biking and on nature hikes.  We were determined to see even more wildlife and practice our Spanish, but we definitely had serious Rafiki withdrawals after we left.  It wasn’t the same without all of you!