The sun rises here around 5:30AM and I was not mad about waking up to sun pouring in through my windows. First mission of the day? Find delicious Costa Rican coffee.
Jeff had recommended a place in town called the Rainforest Cafe (not the stateside brand you might be thinking of right now…) I packed my bag and headed out. It’s about a 30 minute walk down the road from where we’re staying and even early in the morning, there were dozens of other people doing just the same. Everyone smiles from their porches and offers a “buenos dias” and there are dogs running around everywhere. Not to mention, just as I had hoped, the weather was fantastic and the views of the volcano were absolutely breathtaking.
The cafe was everything I was hoping for and more. Jam packed of plants and flowers, rickety tables and kind staff, I enjoyed several cups of coffee and a gigantic bowl of fresh fruit and granola; banana, pineapple, papaya and watermelon…not to mention the local music and the entertainment of people dancing by as they walked down the street…all for the equivalent of about $5. Amazing what happens when you’re not paying money for things that have been exported and imported, rather harvested close to home. Explored town a bit; old churches, parks and tons of produce stands with more plantains hanging from the ceilings than I could have known what to do with.
By the time I walked back, I had about 2 hours until we left for our canyoning adventure so I cashed in some pool time with my book. Less than 48 hours and I’m almost through another 440 pager and I’m reminded how grateful I am for my mother instilling a passion for reading at an early age. I found myself disappearing into the story, reminded only of where I was by the sounds of nature around me.
Next up? Canyoning. Okay. To be honest, I didn’t entirely know what I was getting myself into; I signed up for the most adventurous option alongside half of our group and I went in today quite blind. I sure am glad I took a chance.
The bus picked us up at 10AM and took us up a mountain…all the way up a mountain…that almost seemed to have us eye-to-eye with the volcano. We hopped out and met our guides for the day. Quickly getting us suited up with our helmets and rappelling gear, they took us through a short instructional demonstration; right hand here, left hand here…oh, and don’t forget to lean back. Our group was a mixture of seasoned adventurers to those that were terrified of heights and even those that couldn’t swim. After striking up a conversation with one of our guides, I was deemed the ‘guinea pig’ of the group which meant I got to go first…aka it had now become my main responsibility to show no fear; a task that seemed simple until we got to the top of our first falls. Arturo quickly hooked me in to the lines, whipped me around and said, “ready to go?” Sure. I jumped back. The waterfalls instantly hit and soaked me and from that point on, I was reminded exactly why I signed up to do this. The adrenaline, the uncertainty, the butterflies…I can’t remember the last time I was so inundated with emotion. After taking a few bounces down the falls, he yells “let go!” This meant, literally, let go of everything; and for the next 30 seconds, I went flying through the jungle, through the waterfall, over the canopy, eventually coming to an assisted stop from another guide at the bottom, back into the river. WOAH. 1 down, 3 to go. Grateful that the guides snapped a few photos for the group, but pictures can’t begin to capture what was really happening out there for all of us. Between the falls, it was a series of hiking through the river, climbing rocks, jumping into what felt like bottomless pools of rushing water…oh, and something called the Tsunami experience that you had to be there to understand. 2 hours and 855 calories burned later, the group returned to base camp with only minor scrapes and burns, exhausted, hungry, but most importantly, feeling beyond accomplished and reborn.
For lunch? You’ll never guess…Casado, which we all welcomed and devoured quickly. A small break back at the hotel and we were back on the bus headed for the hot springs. While last night, we spent time at the natural hot river, tonight was time at the manmade, but naturally fed, hot springs resort…complete with water slides, cold tubs and a swim-up bar.
We stuck with the local drink, a Guarito, or a Guaro sour; made from local sugar cane, it resembles a white rum, served with muddled lime, sugar and club soda - refreshing! The rain came in while we were there; it’s like Mother Nature knew what we were doing today and knew the exact perfect time and environment to drop a beautiful storm.
After a few hours there, we found ourselves in town at a local spot for dinner. A bowl of spaghetti has never tasted so wonderful. The rain had passed (although, I’l say, I’ve become pleasantly adjusted to always being soaking wet) so half of us opted to walk home to relieve the carb coma…and no surprise, I had to stop to pet some dogs along the way.
Tomorrow, we hit the road (and lake) to Monteverde. A short bus ride, followed by a long boat ride across the Arenal lake and we’ll be submerged into the rainforest for a few days. Bring on the monkeys and sloths!
Until then… Pura Vida!
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