Good coffee and breakfast to start the day out right! We walked around La Fortuna for a bit to get to know the town. We can see Volcan Arenal no matter where we are in the town and at 3pm we are set to be walking through the Rainforest, hiking around Volcan Arenal and going to Baldi Hot Springs where they have 16 hot springs, a swim up bar and disco music. Here we go!
It was raining out which was kind of perfect because we were walking through the Rainforest (not called that because of all of the rain that falls, but because of the elevation it is at). Josh and I had on our rain jackets, nylon zip off pants, hiking boots and hats - we were prepared! The Rainforest was lush with green plants (we saw two pineapple plants) and numerous kinds of trees. Costa Rica has 200 species of trees. After we walked 100 feet in our guide asked us a critical question that would decide which way we would go - to the left or right. "Do you want to see monkeys, or the most poisonous snake in Costa Rica?" This was a no-brainer. Josh and I were in the back of the 10 person group so I simply pointed with my index finger to the left. "haha you don't want to see the most poisounous snake in all of Costa Rica?" Response: shook head vigorously back and forth for NO. So we went that way. And we saw the snake that apparently no one ever sees because it has such good camoflouge. Yeah that was awesome. It had such good camoflouge that the whole group was looking at it (from 6 feet away - it can't see well or hear so it only senses heat from three feet away and always attacks) I couldn't see it. I was actually kind of bored despite my heart racing.
Josh did get some great pictures though.
After our hour walk we hopped back on our shuttle bus and went to the viewing area for Volcan Arenal. The road there was filled with potholes that we filled with rain and very curvy and tiny. Our guide talked about t Volcano on the way their and mentioned the huge explosion it had in 1968. The shaft of the volcano had magama jammed in it, so it went off in three separate areas along the side. Many people lived right near Volcan Arenal because they never knew it was a volcano. It had been dormant for 400 years. This meant that their ancestors had lived there and so on backwards without ever having problems.
We didn't actually see the volcano - it was rainy and the clouds covered the volcano. This is actually more typical than seeing Volcan Arenal. We were soaked by this point and pretty cold. We drove back to Baldi hot springs - glorious! There were 16 different pools surrounded by palm trees and under open sky. The pools were all of different temperatures ranging from a "cool pool" up to 150 degrees farenheit. There were three slides that went into one pool as well.
Time to sleep!
Monday, January 11
We woke up to the sound of pouring rain. I figured our tour on the zip lines would be canceled. Ugh! We are only here a few days! So I went back to sleep - but woke up again and decided to see if our shuttle did come anyway. It did! With our rain gear back in we got into another bus and went up to the Reserve around Volcan Arenal. We went on an 8am tour so we were the only ones along with our two guides. Right away they got us strapped into harnesses and helmets. We took another bus higher up into the reserve and then hiked a bit up to the first platform. Then he did a little explaining on how to hold the line and how to stop - strapped me on and I was off!! We went down a zip line (cable) across the tree tops! Josh and I went across 9 of these lines. Our guides were comforting: "This line, very fast. Much faster today because of the rain. IT makes it slippery - and woosh!" Ok. Good. This led to the question by one guide, "Meghan, are you afraid of heights?" "Um, a bit I guess, why?" "You walk slower on the platforms and stairs." That was because the platforms were metal and it was raining so I didn't want to slip and fall on my head!
At the end of the 9 zip lines we got to rappel down rock that was above a river. This was so fun! We loved it and wanted to go back again.
We packed our things and found a 1pm bus that took us to San Ramon. From there another bus took us on to ? here we just transferred buses on the road and this bus took us to Nicoya. Here we waited at the bus station for the bus to Samara. Our trip was 9 hours altogether, but this is were we should find some nice surf.
We walked around the sleepy town to try to find a place to stay. At three I asked "Tiene cuartos libres?" (do you have any vaccancies?) all no's. We did find one place that had an opening El Ancla. Perfect right on the beach. We walked into town and had a celebratory drink - we made itto Samara! How did we do that? Ticos are extremely nice! They always watch out for us. Thank goodness.
Now we can sleep!
Tuesday, January 12
It was really windy last night. When I say really, I mean we thought there was a hurrican coming. Our windows have screens on them but now glass. Also, the roof is made of tin. When things hit it - it is very loud. Our curtains were blowing everywhere! Yet we got sleep. This morning on the other hand, was different. I woke up early to little chihahaus barking at each other as loud as possible. Tico moms and brothers, fathers, etc. yelling in Spanish to one another and I think there was a morning dove in there to.
Eesh. Needless to say, I was up early putting on 60proof sunscreen. We were no longer in a rainy, cloudy valley - we were on the Pacific Coast! It is very sunny here! Josh and I walked up the road to a tiny Panderia and got a danish and iced coffee. After this we walked the beach, walked around the town and talked to some surf instructors. The wind killed the surf! All places that rented boards were closed. Psh.
We walked the beach more and did some swimming. The water was warm :) We had plaintain chips and guacamole Josh made for lunch and slept on the beach. Very relaxing day. We found pretty shells along our way, watched horseback riders and bikers on the beach. We had Margaritas and Pina Coladas.
j y m
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