Costa Rica Day 2

November 15, 2015

I slept well and a good sleep was needed, I awakened at 8:30 and poor Naitro had been up since 5ish. I asked her to go ahead and shower as I needed a bit more rest. I finally got up at 9:30 but rushed and was out in 20 minutes.

Good morning Arenal! What a view we had and what adventure awaits.

Arenal is one of seven historically active Costa Rican volcanoes along with Poás, Irazú, Miravalles, Orosí, Rincón de la Vieja complex, and Turrialba. It was Costa Rica's most active volcano until 2010, and one of the ten most active volcanoes in the world. It has been studied by seismologists for many years.

Eduardo told us to go to the Sky Adventure restaurant for breakfast. We just missed it as took an extra hour to get up...:-(

We ordered from the lunch menu and I had a veggie quesadilla and so did Naitro. Hers came with a small black hair so back it went and the sandwich she ordered was not as described. She gave up.

We returned to the hotel and spoke with Eduardo and really left without a clear recommendation as to the best corse of action.

We returned to the Sky adventure shop and bought some snacks and a rain poncho for Naitro. We decided, looking at a map of what the hike would offer, to take their sky walk. It was $24 each and would offer several hanging bridges, a scenic platform, and two waterfalls. I'm in!

The cost was $24 each (Costa Rica = Cost a Lota) and we began our trek into the rainforest...in the rain. As we entered, the most beautiful red, tropical flower greeted us. Wow!

The trek was 3.6 km to the falls area and then the return. We started out on pretty level ground...until I spoke up and then the incline began.

We reached the first hanging bridge in 40-50 minutes and it was amazing, it was a first for Naitro and even though a bit nervous, she was a trooper. Some amazing views were had from here.

There were palm plants growing from hanging vines. Palms with edgy tips that I'd never seen before and bushy palms that looked like feather dusters. I love Palm trees.

Another hanging bridge followed, along with some braid looking appendage sprouting from a tree. Some of the vegetarian and views could have been from " The Land of the Lost". We could see for miles from this high vantage point.

Heading back into the jungle, we reached a banyan looking tree with a split that looked like a door. It was like a hobbit tropical getaway. 😀

A twist of curved, straight, and super twisty vines captured our attention, Truly sculptural.

The next hanging beige brought a commanding view of Lago Arenal and it was sunnier

How nice.

There was a co photo op under a tree that had fallen in the jungle and plants were taking it over...beautiful using whatever it needs.

Ok, this was funny, we passed a sign that was for a trail that was branching off to an upper route. There was a danger sign showing a hiker with a red circle and a slash thing it with "restricted access", ,meaning, " scenic view" 😎

Next up, a stop with two waterfall options. We chose left first. The Camtarats El Encanto. There was a steep,climb down with very wet rocks but so worth it. It was dramatic and hit the rocks three times before falling to,the pool below.

I climbed out into,the river to get a head on shot. The rocks were slippery but I went slow. Naitro joined and it was a perfect spot for a great shot of her and then she joined me for aN eyes only selfie, like in NZ.

Next up, we climbed around and down to Catarata Escondida. It was a single stream drop of 82 to a stream below.

It continued to run along the path for a majority of the way back. At one point, looking back was a picaresque view of the river cascading through the forest,

Finally reaching the Sky Lodge, we were hungry, tired, and extremely hot sand sweaty. We returned to the hotel speaking of cold showers as there was no pool. We did go to the brick lookout first to take in our surrounding and see if anything had changes.

Now txt the room and cold showers. I went first sad wow was it invigorating. It was cold but it's what I needed. I felt cooled down a bit, almost human again.

Cleaned up. I met out to the balcony and edits pics as it poured...poured. I did edit all of ,y pics and posture all,that I planned From the day. What a great day and there's more to come.

As it was fast approaching 5 pm. I wanted to go. It wood.be dark soon and I wanted to make sure that we were there before sunset so I'd only have to drive one way in he dark.

We drive the 6 kilometer Adventure to the main road. A,good chiropractor is now order after that vote bone-shaking ride.

Finally at the main road, another 15 minutes and we were in La Fortuna. We parked just where we had the night before and started out out on fool

There was a long tent with many stalls with vendors, so,e,closing, but some were open. Naitro bought a cool, wavy, carved box, for only $12. It was hand crafted from a local wood.

I bought a rock with a painted scene of s local house...quaint. We did take some fresh goat cheese and locally made chocolate. I prefer nibs to processed chocolate.

Crossing the street we went into several kitschy shops with the same old, same old. We left sad walked across the street and behind the park, looking briefly at the menu of a touristy looking restaurant...no!

Soon we saw a risqué paining of three naked ladies. I took a photo to post but the closer I got, I knew this was art...we'd reached my gallery store.

There were so many amazing pieces to choose from. The art was whimsical to disturbing. The disturbing pieces had such intricate details and obvious symbolism. A clever mind brought these to life. I asked to see a few and their prices, the larger, more detailed were up,to $500 and the medium sized, framed were $200-$400. In a case, there were wooden blocks that the artist has used her twisted creativity to detail 3 of the 4 sides $200). There was also a little wooden block house that has been painted in the same level of detail ($200)

I narrowed my choices to two pieces, the house, and one of the freaky twisted pieces. The lady working them told me that she was the artist. How luck am I?! I asked what her inspiration was for the pieces that were more unusual. Her English wasn't very good but she said with a smile "Freud". That explained everything,

I took a picture of her holding my new treasure. I thanked her. I paid her. :-)

Leaving ecstatic about my treasure, I was content to let Naitro take things from here as we kept looking at restaurants, a hunt knowing where we should go...so,we,did.

The same restaurant as last nigh,make waiter. The order was pizza with 1/2 mushrooms on hers, pizza with full mushrooms and extra cheese for me. I ordered wine and she ordered ginger ale. He brought out a large complimentary salad,tasty. Next came some toasted bread with garlic cloves. After the pizzas, I had a second glass of wine and soon Joseph brought over a small pan a cotta with chocolate sauce for a little sweet. As this wasn't enough, he also brought us glasses with a but of ice and lemonchello.

The bill came to less than $ 30 😳 we were shocked. As a thank you for the great service and amazing offering of food, we tipped him and extra $7 dollars. What service, what an experience and a fantastic value.

We made it back,..mostly easy, only one miss turn. In the room, we chatted about the Paris events and the crazy world we live in. Ugh!

I was Writing my blog for the day and posting more pics until I couldn't stay awake...almost 1am.

West a great day, we had the god fortune of experiencing. Wow...Costa Rica!