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Published: June 21st 2007
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Con ojos sabios
I tried to capture this woman outside of her home as we passed on the bus. Many photographic opportunites passing through small towns in the buses. Another lovely 4 hour bus ride from San Jose delivered us to our second weekend destination, Cahuita.
Cahuita is a groovy little town located on the southern caribbean coast, north of the more popular tourist spot Puerto Viejo. We chose Cahuita instead because we read that it ¨has managed to maintain a more relaxed relationship with floks discovering the caribbean coast. Most of the businesses are still locally owned and the vibe is still very laid back.¨To say that this little reaggae town is laid back is a major understatement. The ´downtown´where the bus dropped us and our hotel was located was nothing more than two intersecting dirt roads, a few quite restaurants and two bars. It is the first Afro-caribbean settlement of Costa Rica and the energy vibing in this town is something to the effect of ¨doo de doo de doo doo Don´t worry be happy.¨Definitely pura vida to the max.
We were guided to our hotel by a very smiley man on his bicycle. It was just around the corner from the bus stop (because in Cahuita, everything is just around the corner). Joyce, the owner of our hotel strolled out of her living room, then
4 feet to our hotel room. She was extremely sweet and her demeanor gave the smiley bicycle man a run for his money. Immediately we breathed a sigh of relief (and fresh air for once) and caught the contagious grinning bug of Cahuita. We were in love with our sleepy little rasta village already.
We went to dinner and received service fit for royalty. We assume it is because we were the only 7 patrons in the restaurant. Dinner was fabulous. My intact fish body was delicious buit I quickly learned I made a mistake ordering it Caribbean style as it pretty much ignited a fire in my mouth.
Later that night we headed over to Coco´s, one of the two bars in Cahuita (located 10 feet away from each other). We were looking forward to live reggae music but were disappointed to find a live DJ instead. But we made the best of it and got the party started with the reggae moves we had just learned from our dance class the week before. Pretty soon everyone in the bar (a whole 3 people) joined in and we had fun.
Waking up at 8 the next
morning was such a treat. I hadn´t slept past 6 am for two weeks. We cooled down into the local pace and wandered around our tiny little town, passed an outdoor church service being held almost right on the beach and caught some great breakfast before entering the National Park of Cahuita.
It was another great hike in Costa Rica. You can see in the pictures some of the wildlife we got to see. Although, I don´t have a picture (unfortunately) of the white-faced monkies who decided to relieve themselves right over our heads. (must bring umbrella next time). We also learned a little thing about white-faced monkies we didn´t know before. They are very well-endowed. ahem. Had a few good laughs.
We found a great spot on the beach and dove for the water. It was amazing. We were the only people on the beach for probably a mile or so. We had the whole stretch to ourselves and spent the day swimming, playing, exploring and hanging out with the monkies in the trees. Later that day we had to see Playa Negra on the north end of Cahuita. It is a beach totally different than the
¿Donde está la policia?
As you can see the police force is really strong in Cahuita. one we spent the day on. The sand is black and we had another blast. For such a tiny town, Cahuita has a lot to offer. That night we went back to Coco´s and were lucky enough to actually find live reggae. We danced and had an early night.
Good thing we got enough sleep because the next day was just as exhausting as it was exciting. We said adios to Joyce, and were picked up from our hotel and driven about an hour to the Rio Pacuare where our Rafting adventure was about to begin. The guides were great, as usual, and we were all really excited. I was the only one in the group who had been rafting before and was trying to reassure everyone during the saftey spiel ¨don´t worry, you´ll be fine. No one falls out.¨ I spoke too soon.
On our first rapid, (the levels were three and four) we were psyched and paddling according to our guide´s commands. The last thing I heard before I flew out of the boat was ¨Forward!¨All of the sudden I was being thrashed about in the rushing rapids, my head going under and out and under
and out. I was trying to gain control and get into the down river position but I was no match for the rio Pacuare. I was trying to stay calm and see if my guide knew I was struggling in the water, but I then learned I wasn´t the only one the boat spit out. David, our guide was hanging off the back of the boat. (I later heard he flew about 3 feet over the heads of the rafters) Now what do I do??? I saw the rescue kayaker but he couldn´t get me, I was about to lose it when I heard ¨Chica, Chica!!¨and was tugged up and flung into another boat. My friends tell me I landed very gracefully. I waved to my boat and from inside my new boat was asked ¨So, where you from 😊 ?¨
Wow, talk about a rush.
They made the switch with me and I was placed back with my friends, with a good-sized bruise on my right elbow to show for it.
The Rio Pacuare is known as the prettiest river ride in Costa Rica. It runs through lush jungle, complete with waterfalls, wild horses prancing in the river
(Laura, you were there with me) and indigenous tribes living peacefully near the banks. The ride was 4 1/2 hours in total and we stopped for lunch half way on a little bank where the guides flipped over a couple of boats and prepared lunch for all 99 of us right there on the bank. Who knows how they managed to carry with them in the boats pineapples, watermelons, papayas, turkey, ham, veggies, desert and drinks. It was a grand feast and one of the best lunches of my life.
Afterward, we shoved off and braved the wild rapids again The rafting was perfect because we worked hard through the rapids and then got a calm in the river where we could swim and admire the beauty.
The white water rafting adventure is definitely a highlight of my Costa Rican experience. We still havn´t gotten over how much fun it was, nor have we recovered from the sore bottoms yet.
Obviously, I couldn´t bring my camera with me on the boat but I did have a waterproof camera and I bought the CD of photos that the rafting company took. It will be mailed to my house in
Me and Sophie
This picture doesn't show the entirety of the tree, but the branches are tangled and twisted together, from only one tree. the states.
I love my traveling group. We are very happy that we choose unique destinations that aren´t spoiled by tourism and still represent what Costa Rica really is.
CHEERS, or Salud I should say, to another amazing weekend!
Besos,
Carynn 😉
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shelly
non-member comment
AWESOME!
This is a great blog! I love the photos of course. How many of you went traveling? I bet the town was so quaint, I need to go visit it one day. I miss you lots and wish I was traveling along too... thanks for blogging to keep us update and I CAN"T WAIT FOR THE NEXT ONE! :-)