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Published: April 29th 2010
Outside our room at Tortuguero
They flowers are really magnificant.Hi
I'm going to try to do both days today.
First I want to mention how the children are doing with Spanish. In a word... magnifico!
Senorita Ordosgoitia would be so proud of them. They are listening, speaking, and translating. Only rarely does our guide have to repeat for them.
And, speaking of our guide, how lucky we were. Shayla is a native of Costa Rica, speaks English, Spanish and French. She has had conversations with the children about Costa Rican politics, culture, education, history, animals, etc. She has been singing their praises, and that of their Spanish teacher.
TUESDAY: Now, on to yesterday. Today we left Tortuguero by boat, which is the only way in or out. Many people left today, so there was some confusion among the guides as to which luggage went on which boat and which groups were to be in which boat. We opted for the Spanish speaking boat. They had told us we had to leave by 8 AM, so the confusion put us at least 20 minutes behind.
About an hour into the ride we discovered why they wanted to leave early. Rio Parismina is tidal and the
Our boat
This was the boat that almost got stuck in the river. tide was going out, so the level of the river was going down.
We had to inch along with the guide using a pole to tell the boatman how shallow it really was. About 1 foot! But, our boatman was excellent. Although it took a long time, we finally got past the mouth of the river.
When we got to where we were supposed to meet our bus the guides gathered all the people who were on the boats to tell us the buses were going to be late as there was a mudslide on the road we had come in on two days ago. This necessitated the bus drivers taking the old road and it would be another hour before they arrived. Fortunately there was a pavilion with tables and chairs and that sold snacks and drinks. So we made the best of it. We were told to put our luggage in the blistering sun where our lotions, shampoos, and other liquids could explode. But, we are obedient.
After about an hour, one of the guides came to us to say, the big bus was about 10 minutes away, but they had secured a school bus (mini
Our waiting place
This is where we spent the hour waiting for the next bus. van) that was just big enough for our family, the driver, and Fernando. We should quickly get our bags and leave before the big bus arrived. I asked if it was air conditioned. "The air was working just 'till we got here, and then it quit. I think it will be ok. But, we must hurry.
What followed really had to be experienced. The luggage was jammed in the back, and we were jammed in three to a seat. We opened our windows, and the bus driver and Fernando closed theirs. We were about to expire in about 15 minutes and we asked if they could open their windows. No, they said. The air is working in the front and they hope it will start soon in the back. Fortunately we were able to laugh about it. Everything became funny. Frank had to keep taking his glasses off to empty the sweat that kept pooling between his face and the glasses; I watched sweat pour down Dustin's nose and drip onto the pack he held on his lap; when Elsie heard how much longer we were going to have to drive, her head dropped to her chest and she
Fried luggage
This is our luggage cooking in the sun. gave the biggest sigh. But, we couldn't stop laughing.
It was like parking your car in a sunny parking lot, going shopping for a couple of hours, and then getting in. I think we all know how that feels. Guy had only half a seat; some of us were holding full back packs on our laps; a couple of the children didn't want to take their hats off. After another half hour, when we really began to worry about making it to the next handoff, Guy finally asserted himself. "Will you open your windows before we die back here?" Oh, Ok they said.
The air, even though hot, was such a gift. But, it didn't last long because it began to rain and we had to close all the windows. Eventually we made it to the restaurant where we were to meet our permanent guide and driver. Were they ever a sight for sore eyes.
We hopped into the air-conditioned mini bus and took off for Arenal volcano, again on unpaved, rocky roads. But first a stop at Baldi Hot Springs which turned out to be a hotel and restaurant complex that transformed hot springs into a
Pretending this wasn't happening
Dustin, Frank and Guy trying to be somewhere else. massive water park.
It was so big we lost Frank for about half an hour, and Dustin for about 15 minutes. But eventually we all got together. We'd had to change our dinner reservations at Baldi about 4 times due to arriving late, losing people, and the kids wanting more time in the springs. When we got to dinner however, it was obvious we needn't have worried about missing our reservation.
From there we drove on to our overnight stay near Arenal volcano, which last erupted spectacularly in 1968 but has been letting off steam and lava ever since. If you are lucky to be on the side where the lava is flowing (it changes), it is quite a show.
Unfortunately, we were on the other side, but after our day, no one seemed to mind too much.
WEDNESDAY: Up and off to a boat trip across a lake which was actually quite pleasant. Then on our way to Extremo for a zip line experience through the cloud forest. Not everyone was sure they were up for it, but all were willing to hear more about it.
Some of us thought you get harnassed up and
Dustin in the sauna
If you look closely you'll see the bead of sweat on Dustin's eyebrow waiting to run down his nose. zip from one platform to another and that's it. Who couldn't do that? But, as it turns out, it is a series of zips along cables and then uphill climbs in between. And, it takes 2 hours! Really?? Really!
One of us did not think it was such a hot idea, but was convinced against her better judgment to not spoil everyone's fun. She also was told if she didn't like it, she could shorten the "experience" to about 45 minutes.
So, off they all went. On the first cable, she held on to the brake so tightly that she managed to stop before she got to the end and had to be rescued. On the second cable, she didn't brake at all, and slammed into the platform at top speed. The young men operating the "experience" decided she needed a buddy. He gets in front and she wraps her legs around him and they zip together. Oh, joy! And, more climbing.
Did I mention that it had started to rain, and the rain water softened the dirt on the cables and flung muddy water back at her face the whole ride? She had to give her
Can't stop laughing
Wendy and I sometimes couldn't catch our breathe. glasses to one of the operators because they were useless to her - she had her eyes closed most of the time, and the glasses were covered with mud. After several more cables and about 14 miles of climbing (maybe it wasn't quite that much), it was a mutual decision that she could end the "fun" and go back to the bottom. But, not before one more giant climb and one more very long zip. The "fun" was finally over.
There's only one photo worth showing.
Then, on to our two-night stay in the cloud forest. Beautiful place. We went into town for dinner which was not a buffet - and quite tasty. Shayla and Alex treated us to a demonstration of salsa dancing, and then got Wendy and Guy to join them. The kids reciprocated with some singing. They only know one Spanish song so we're going to have to expand our repertoire.
Back at the hotel listening to the rain on the roof. We have a big day tomorrow complete with a visit to a local school.
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Lewis
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It's Lewis from Hangzhou City, China
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