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Published: October 17th 2005
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A last blog from rainy Samara.........
After a fabulous trip around the country (and Panama) we ended the tour with a great day rafting on the river Pacuare. Unfortunately no pictures of that day because we obviously got soaked several times. It was one of the most fun experiences here in Costa Rica, maybe even better than SkyTrek (it's a close call). We left from Puerto Viejo early in the morning with our backpacks and slept most of the way to the adventure centre near Siquirres. We drove to the river and got our safety talk etc etc from our very cool guide Roberto. Somehow I ended up being the guinea pig, I had to jump into the river to demonstrate how someone needs to be rescued should they fall in. Quite refreshing actually, it was scorching hot. We got taught all the commands and strokes for rafting and set off on our 28km journey down the river. At the beginning a lot of small rapids but as it was our first time we were obviously very impressed and still slightly scared. There were two rafts and there was a constant competition between the guides, trying to push each other
in, and funnily enough, trying to push me in. Which they managed to do. When Roberto instructed Lucie to rescue me, she then joined me in the water when he managed to push her in too. After about two hours of rapids and beautiful surroundings, canyons, birds, we stopped at a riverbank to have a lunch prepared by the guides. A great lunch, and we spent about an hour relaxing and swimming in the river. Later when we set off again we switched places and I sat in front, where I constantly got full waves of water in my face (lots of fun!) and in a big rapid managed to be the only one to fall out of the raft that day. Also lots of fun! After my raft mates stopped laughing at me I eventually got rescued and at the very last rapid our guide instructed us to all lean onto one side of the boat and we flipped it. The raft landed on my head (with helmet)...I've never had so much fun being thrown all over the place and getting soaked. We also got pretty burnt and I had scratches on my legs and knees. I definitely recommend
it!
After the day of rafting we got dropped off in San Jose, and from there took the bus to Heredia, one of the main reasons we chose this company (Exploradores Outdoors) because it included the transfer from Puerto Viejo to San Jose (or vice versa). we spent two lazy nights in Heredia and did a bit of shopping, got our hair cut and dyed (I got it cut, Lucie had it dyed). The cut didn't turn out quite as I had hoped due to the still present language barrier, but it'll do for now! My cousin Kike was near Heredia for a business trip and our schedules worked out so that we were able to meet up for dinner in Heredia which was great (see pic)!
Then on Saturday we headed back to Samara...back home!! It was great to see our "family" again, and we even had some new members. I decided to join classes at Intercultura for one last week, and am really glad I did, because I feel that after a few weeks of just practising the Spanish I knew I was able to learn much more in class. I skipped two books and went
straight to book 9 (can you tell I'm proud?!) Other than that, the rest of my time was spent bumming on the beach (actually that would be what we did on the ONE really sunny day), other than that, just the usual playing cards, going to the Internet cafe and at night heading for Las Olas and staying there until closing time...
My last night in Costa Rica was great. Our mom Dona Teo had organised a great dinner of lasagna (my favourite!!) and Miguel Jr, Johnny (?) the cowboy and Justin played guitar and sang a mixture of local Guanacaste and US songs and the local drunk joined in with maracas (and no sense of rhythm). Good times...Of course it wouldn't have been a proper last night without a visit to Las Olas, but first a stop at El Lagarto. I had missed my own graduation but the students and teachers were still dancing so we joined in for about an hour and then headed next door. Time flew by (I think, it's a bit of a blur) but there was of course lots of foosball, some amazing pool-playing by Lucie (her words, not mine.....just kidding!) a few
My goodbye party
The entertainer Miguel & amigo drinks and lots of goodbyes. Since I had to catch the bus at 4.30 am I had decided not to sleep which was extremely challenging. But me and Lucie managed to stay awake and at 4.20 I was dropped off at the bus station and after a quick tearful goodbye went on the long, sleepy bus ride to the airport.
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Frenger on Tour
Patrick Rivet
Anon-a-Mouse
Hi there Flora>inspired indeed - its been good to read all your activities and experiences on the blog pages. thought it would be rude not to do one also. Sounds like you've had a wild time in the Costa Rica and hope the US Of A is of equal great experience (when you get to travel). Well done on the Spanish - C'est bon. 'Carpe Diem' as my cousin Michelle tells me! have fun and speaks again.. x Pat