More Stuff and Nonsense

Fun in the Sun and Water...

Today was the hot springs trip. We got up, and were all ready for breakfast, when the lady at the front desk told us it was a little delayed this morning, “Due to technical difficulties”. It wasn’t so bad, we had plenty of time for breakfast before the bus got to the hotel. We were the second stop for the bus, so we were able to pick our seats. We did end up with a full bus.

The scenery was spectacular; all green and lush. So many plants, so many flowers. The tour guide told us everything grows so fast, instead of building fences, most people plant trees. It’s much cheaper. They cut off a branch, plant it, and it grows into a tree. He said the space between trees is based upon how well you like your neighbors; if you like your neighbors, you put more space between the trees; if you don’t, you plant them close together. J We did see lots of “fences” of trees on the way. They grow into an impenetrable wall of green. It’s much nicer than the razor wire and concrete that surround all the houses in San Jose.

We saw a waterfall on the way to Arenal today; I have pictures I can upload when I get home. We also saw orchids, baby orchids, bananas, mangoes, cassava, papaya, and pineapple. Oh, and avocadoes being sold at a roadside stand. The road was an experience; it’s a typical mountain road, in a more narrow bus, and little, narrow roads.

The resort was fabulous; the hot springs absolutely amazing. They even had waterfalls with the hot water. We have pictures of us under them. Mom, it was like Niagara, except it was warm, and we were wearing swimsuits! So we sat, and had our own personal Shiatsu massages, courtesy of Nature. I highly, highly recommend it! After we finished with the springs, (and getting lost in the gardens the hot springs run through), we got back on the bus, and headed out to try and see the volcano erupt. We headed to one of the closest spots to see the volcano. One the way, we stopped and took pictures on the bridge of the lagoon. It's a man-made lake that runs a huge part of the country's hydro-electric. They said only 2% of Costa Rica's power, nationally, comes from diesel. Everything is either hydro-electric, geothermal, etc. After the lagoon, we got to see monkeys!!!! That was what I really wanted on this trip, tourist-wise. So I have pictures of monkeys.

Then we loaded back into the bus, and headed up a road I'd hesitate to go up in my truck. And we went up in a tourist bus!! Now, it wasn't one of the big coaches, but it was still much bigger than I've have taken up. We got a "Costa Rican" back massage, courtsey of the hideous road. By the time we got to the spot, the volcano was once again covered by clouds. So, no eruption.

We got back on the bus, continued along the hideous road, and back to the resort with the hot springs, for dinner. It was wonderful! It was Mexican buffet night, so we had Mexican themed food, and then fabulous desserts. It was fun to sit and talk with people on the tour; there was a mother and son from Miami, originally from Cuba. There was also a woman from Northern New Jersey; we all sat and talked over dinner.

Once dinner was over, we were dropped off at our hotel, the Arenal Volcano Inn. As cheesy as the name sounds, it was really nice. We had our own little cottage, at the very back of the resort. It had 2 double beds, and the bathroom. It's wasn't huge, but it was plenty big enough to us. Once we got our stuff into the room, we sat outside, and watched the volcano clear up enough for us to see more of it. We listened to the frogs chirp, and feel the wind blow. It was a long, but really wonderful day!

posted by Serena @ 4:26 PM