Hot springs and cold craters

Buenos dias and how are you?

Paul and I are still suffering the effects of this weekend's adventures in Arenal.

This is the peak of the extinct volcano, Arenal.  Last time we were here 2 years ago, we never saw the top.  I captured the top on Sunday when it showed it's face...for all of 5 minutes.  We are very frustrated with this volcano, but whatever.  We decided to do this destination again, because it was close, accessible, and just adventureful. 

What it looks like all the time

Our adventure begins early Saturday morning, after a short drive to La Fortuna, the town, we decided to hike Cerro Chato, the hill to the left of Arenal (pictured below).

We heard it was a strenuous hike, even for very fit people, but decided to take the challenge.  I mean, we exercise, we like to hike, and this will be good to see how well we would do...right?

Oh, what fools we were.  Sweet, stupid fools.

Before pictures

During pictures

We aren't exaggerating: it was hard.  The hike was straight up, absolutely no amount of leveling off where you can rest a little.  We would take 20 steps, and then stop.  It took 2.5 hours up and 1.5 hours down (because once you start rolling down, you can't stop).  Luckily, it was pretty.

Once up at the top, you are supposed to be able to look at Arenal and into the extinct crater, that has a green lagoon inside that you can swim in.  Of course, it was foggy, but we did get to swim in the crater.  It was cold, but felt amazing after that nasty, sweaty hike. 

The lagoon (not our pic)

The lagoon

You can kinda see my little fish friends giving me a pedicure (nibbling on my toes).

While lounging and taking pictures, we made some new friends.  A couple from Atlanta came down and we spent the rest of the hike going downhill with them.  We also made friends with a coati!

That evening, we decided to go to Baldi Hot Springs, because, well, we deserved it.  No picture of that, but this is the place.  17 hot spring pools, ranging in temps.  And we love it.

The next day, after the top of Arenal sighting (stupid volcano), we went on a little drive along La Fortuna lake, formed by a dam.  It's a gorgeous place and we stopped at a little hotel/restaurant on the hill for lunch to enjoy the view.  Then we went back to San Jose.  So, that's our trip!  Enjoy the view!

Near the dam

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Turtle Town

This week, we ventured forth to Tortuguero, or Turtle Town as Paul liked to call it.  It is a small island on the Caribbean coast that takes 3 hours by car and then 1 hour by boat to access.  Cars are not allowed here and the town is so small that the main "street" is no bigger than a sidewalk.  It is truly off the beaten path.  You won't find huge hotels, or really huge anything.

Boat ride

Except the turtles, which was the purpose of our trip.

It's nesting season in Costa Rica, which means thousands of turtles from April- November come to the coast to lay their eggs.  The last time we visited 2 years ago, we tried to see some turtles in December on the Pacific side and were disappointed.  This time, we had success!  Although we don't have any pictures of it, it was a beautiful event.  The turtle we saw had to be 4 feet long and laid so many eggs.  I suppose it was appropriate to see the birth of new life on Father's Day weekend (Happy belated Father's Day!).  What I thought was interesting is how the sex of the baby turtles will depend on temperatures during the 15 day incubation: if it's cold, they will all be males, if it's hot, they will be all females.  The more you know, the more you grow.

It was rainy during the entire morning

Somewhere along this beach, there are tons of turtle eggs, just waiting to hatch!

Although we came primarily for the turtles, we did get to see some wildlife.  We did a little hike in the forest and saw a new monkey: spider monkey.  And it had a baby!  Life is abundant everywhere!

They made us wear rubber boots.  I made sure I got the cute yellow pair

Leaf cutter ants' handiwork

Baby!

                                 

The next morning, we went on a canoe ride tour of the Tortuguero water canals.  Here, we saw much more wildlife.  At this point, I'm sure we post too many wildlife pictures.  But there's something thrilling about finding animals in the wild and catching them on camera.  So, you will get a whole lot more animals.

River otter!!!

These birds sun themselves all the time

"If I flap my wings enough, maybe the canoe people will go away"

Mid leap

Look closely...someone's looking at you

A caiman!  They are small, but fierce little guys

It was a quick weekend trip, but very much worthwhile.  

This week, I get to have my own adventure which I'm really excited about: going to get my teeth cleaned!  I haven't had my teeth cleaned in a hot minute, so I was interested to hear of "Destination Dentistry".  Apparently, a lot of people who need extensive dental work choose to make the trip to Costa Rica because it is so much more affordable here than in the States.  People will get their teeth done and then do a vacation.  So, if you need some dentures, consider Costa Rica!  

I'll let you know how it all pans out, but for now, hasta luego!

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