I'm a little behind on the blogging so I'll be combining May 3rd and May 4th (my Birthday)!
What an action packed last 2 days! But combined with relaxation in the afternoons!
On May 3rd we had a nice morning excursion rafting the Balsa River with Wave Rafting! Our guide Enzo trained us well as we were easily the best crew on the river that day! Most of the Rapids were class III's with some class II's. So not too rough but enough excitement to get us drenched and tired out! PURA VIDA 🏆🛶
As we navigated down the Balsa River we saw Toucans fly above us, many Egrets, a number of cows crossing from one side to the other, and a 22 year old Costa Rican in a kayak training for the next summer Olympics. Pretty cool! A little more than halfway through the rafting trip we stopped to snack on watermelon and pineapple before starting up and finishing our 2 hour journey down the river. Tara did break a nail and I got a nasty blister. Oh well - part of the experience!
After the trip we stopped for lunch at an authentic Costa Rican restaurant. After lunch and in the next room we saw a demonstration on how sugar cane is used and turned into Moonshine! We all got to sample a shot or 2 or 3. Tasted like sweet tequila. Very powerful!
After all that we headed back to the Springs Resort, cleaned up a bit, and then hung out at the swim up pool bar (our favorite spot) for most of the rest of the afternoon and into the evening! Well that's it for May 3rd!
May the Fourth be with us now as we hike the Arenal Volcano on my birthday! (I'm 29 by the way)..
Yesterday on my birthday we were picked up by Ecoterra Tours early in the morning and brought to the base of the Arenal Volcano.. It was a very humid and very hot day but it didn't rain for us. Our guide Daniella educated us on the history of this Volcano as we hiked along the base and on a lava rock trail.
The last time Arenal had a big time eruption was 1968! What a fantastic year! Might be the best year in the history of all years!
Anyway back to the story....
When this Volcano erupted in September of 1968 the result was pretty devastating. Leveling homes as far as the eye could see and nearly 90 deaths involved. Very sad.
Technically though the last eruption was in 2010. But not much devastation. Just a lot of smoke in the air and lava streaks coming down the sides of the mountain which helped create the path we are on today.
Lots of beauty from up high where we were at (but not at the top) as we could see could Arenal Lake - which is man-made.
Hiking to the top of Arenal where billows of vapors continue today is completely illegal here in Costa Rica though some do make the climb! I would have but the thought of possibly ending up in a Costa Rican jail didn't sound too good.
After our hike we asked the driver to drop us off in town (LaFortuna) where we could get some lunch and shop for a few souvenirs. We did end up buying a beautiful oil painting which we will have framed by Hobby Lobby when we get home.
After that we took a taxi back to our resort where we once again cleaned up and then hung out for the whole afternoon at our nice swim up pool bar and other surrounding Volcano heated pools.
In the evening we had a wonderful dinner for my birthday at Las Ventamos (onsite). I had the Arenal Filet and Tara had the Springs Salmon. Excellent food!
To end the evening Tara had the restaurant staff sing Happy Birthday in Spanish (Feliz Cumpleaños) to me!
What a great night! What a great day!
PURA VIDA 🍹 🍹
*Our last day at the Spring's Resort is May 5th (Cinco de Mayo) where we have a free day. Might go horseback riding on the grounds here or go tubing down the river.
Until my next blog entry have a great day!
May 3rd (Whitewater rafting)
May 4th (Arenal Volcano hike my Birthday)
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