Costa Rica: Zip Lines, Horses and La Fortuna

After the washing of rain that soaked the mountain last night, we got up to a leisurely start. Breakfast was included at our resort so we made sure to eat plenty, so that lunch could be a snack. The breakfast was delicious with my favorite omlettes made fresh to order. You could see the tropical birds playing in the garden and watch the clouds swirl around the Arenal volcano.

Today, we opted to do the zip lining tour offered through Arenal lodge. They take you straight to the canopy tours. I had thought we were doing 15 lines, but it was only 8. They were very lovely and the sunshine peaking through was delightful. The girls were able to manage the lines on their own, even doing the monkey crawl hand over hand when they didn't make it to the end. They loved it! Watermelon and pineapple greeted us on our return and we quickly sucked back some water before our next adventure.

Next was walking around the corner to the stables where we mounted horses and then climbed the outskirts of the volcano to reach a green lake, and closer views of Arenal. The horses were very frisky so make sure that you know how to trot and post. I have never seen horses that quick to run uphill. The lake views were as magnificent as the volcano.

The tour bus brought us back to the hotel, but after some thought, we opted to drive to La Fortuna for supper. However, it was still too early for supper, so we walked the butterfly garden trail at our resort. It is a one mile trek around the property. We stopped in the garden and then melted our way through the humid gardens and undergrowth. Despite the warnings, we did not see one poisonous snake. That was a relief I might add. After cooling off, we drove down the cobbled track to La Fortuna.

We chose Los Nene for supper after two guides recommended it. It is traditional Costa Rican food.  Quite frankly, why would you eat anywhere else? The specials came lit by fire, and were cooked to perfection. The kids ate spaghetti and were pleased with that. The specials were fish and steak and you can't watch those platters coming out of the kitchen without wanting one. Despite being ridiculously full, the girls wanted ice cream so we wandered up the street to Pops. Pops is a ice cream chain and it was delicious once we got there.

We did get distracted on the way by an artist shop. Everything in the store was locally made by a Costa Rican artist. Since there were still some gifts to buy, we stocked up. Now that we had parcels to carry, now it was time to eat coconut and chocolate brownie ice cream. Yummy. We have tired kids who are insisting they aren't. It makes for yet another great day in paradise.

Note: tours were booked through jacamar naturalist tours. You may do better booking in La Fortuna.

Miss K's first zip lining adventure - she was a pro from the get go.

The leader was as camera happy as me!

Butterfly Garden

The road less traveled aka the path through the woods behind our hotel room. Note, there was a poisonous snake warning in effect at all times and I still wandered the trails with the family. Crazy.

La Fortuna on Dwellable

Hooliganting: Costa Rica: Relaxation and Driving to Arenal

Hooliganting: Costa Rica: Relaxation and Driving to Arenal: While Costa Rica has a lot of wonderful things to do, sometimes it is equally good to take a day to do nothing. Well, to be honest, it wasn...

Costa Rica: Relaxation and Driving to Arenal

While Costa Rica has a lot of wonderful things to do, sometimes it is equally good to take a day to do nothing. Well, to be honest, it wasn't nothing but it was incredible. On Saturday, we opted to spend time with some very special people who invited us out to the countryside on the outskirts of Santa Rita. This was very near where the bird watching tour was, so it was hot, sunny and dry. After the soaking we had experienced, we welcomed the change.

This was a day of  barbecuing, good conversation and good wine. It was camping with the luxury of a pool, bathrooms and outdoor kitchen. The children were in the water, hanging from the zip line and generally relaxing.  I was thrilled to see a green parrot flying in the trees. We had a wonderful hospitable day, and we were sorry to have to go back and pack.

Now, hard shell suitcases are the new in thing, so I had acquired a new set for Christmas. These suitcases are not forgiving if you like to buy souvenirs. It took me two hours to try and fit everything back in. So far, the handle has broken off, the zipper protested and generally,I miss my old suitcase. For the record, my next suitcase will be a backpack, soft sided.

In the morning, it was time to check out of The Villas Palmas. Our three bedroom apartment was wonderful, but I have to say, I don't miss the ants that paraded everywhere. It was very safe and very secure, being in a neighborhood that felt homey, even after dark.

Now this looked like a promising way to travel

Living on the hillside

The views are incredible

Behind trucks, driving is slow and steady

Bridges only fit one car, and this is a highway

Arenal in the distance

On departure, we drove through the exceptionally twisty roads to Arenal Volcano. We took the advice of the consulate seriously and didn't stop as theft is a real issue here. The drive goes up river valleys, around mountains and through gorgeous villages. However, do take a motion sickness tablet if you even think it might be a problem. My youngest had us guessing a few times. As you drive, the forest becomes green and lush. We  had a picnic lunch in the car, which was good as the drive took four hours.

Our destination was Arenal lodge. It is past the dam and up a very adventurous rutted track. The views from here were incredible. Today was a day where the volcano was bathed in sunlight. The weather was warm we opted to splash in the chilled pool water and soak in the jacuzzi that feasts the eyes on an exceptional landscape. There are amazing birds flitted in the garden and horses in the lower pastures. We took tons of photos as we were warned that the weather here is very unpredictable.

Everything seems to be for sale

This is how tricky the entrance is to Arenal Lodge...they let you know you made it. Ummmm

The road

The master bedroom

The kids room

The volcano was clearly visible...we were so lucky

Me of course!

For supper, we ate at the  restaurant on site.  The food was delicious. I will say that there is no children's menu, so choose the chicken or beef. The meat needs to be well done to get medium rare, my medium tenderloin was almost breathing. But the ambience here is peaceful and soothing. Our family room has two bedrooms and a living room, very large. and gorgeous. The rain pounded on the roof throughout the night, which just added to the rainforest vibe.

Tomorrow,  we are back  to exploring.

Nuevo Arenal on Dwellable

Hooliganting: Costa Rica: Sarapiqui and Puerto Viejo

Hooliganting: Costa Rica: Sarapiqui and Puerto Viejo: Mornings...icky icky mornings...I have to say getting two children out of bed for a 7:30am bus tour is not the brilliant idea that it sounds...

Costa Rica: Sarapiqui and Puerto Viejo

Mornings...icky icky mornings...I have to say getting two children out of bed for a 7:30am bus tour is not the brilliant idea that it sounds like when you hear about if for the first time. Dragging their heels from a warm almost comfy bed, the minions ate breakfast and settled into the back of the bus.

For 1.75 hours, we drove through the Parque Nacional Braullo Carilllo and wended our way through the cloud forest, down to the rain forest. Fortunately for us, there was little in the way of rain. Brilliant blue skies hazed by clouds and that was the worst of it. The first stop was a rest stop, and then we found ourselves deposited at a chocolate or cacao plantation called Teraminda. This place was amazing. It has Costa Rica's longest suspension bridge for a start, with lush rainforest and a tour that explains the preservation work being done. Here are research projects everywhere. Hummingbirds darted through the forest, but good luck getting a photo. We saw leafy ants and bullet ants.

On completing the short hike, we were treated to a presentation on how chocolate was made and came to be. From seeds from the cacao fruit which tasted like a strange grape, to crushing the beans to drinking hot chocolate and tasting the process at every step of the way, this was a sugar high and sensory overload. I loved it. We sampled everyone. And the girls literally were dripping in chocolate samples. Best yet, was seeing wildlife wander by. From there, we continued our hike and then were fed a delicious lunch as part of the tour.

Stocked up on chocolate, our next stop was Puerto Viejo for a boat tour. From chugging on the water in the boat, we saw howler monkeys, birds like egrets and the elusive white faced monkey. The howlers showed their vocals off and we also were treated to a crocodile appearance.  It would seem that our guide is a photographer and sells his CDs for $20.00.  We will have to see as his camera is definitely better than mine. There were even long nosed bats!

We drove home, tired and hungry after another session of San Jose rush hour. Heading out bravely in the car, gps found us a decent grocery store so that tomorrow, we can cook our own food. I the meantime, we found Sel et Pepe, an Italian restaurant with really great pasta, freshly made. Stuffed and tired, I think we can say life is decent!

The Chocolate Tour - roasting beans

Flavors for hot chocolate

Coffee bean

7 days of fermenting

Grinding

paste

Cooking stove

Howler Monkey

Costa Rica on Dwellable

Hooliganting: Costa Rica: Poas Volcano and Peace Waterfall Garde...

Hooliganting: Costa Rica: Poas Volcano and Peace Waterfall Garde...: Time for another adventure with Sol Tropical Tours. It was our last adventure with them today. Our driver Happer and Christian obviously f...