Volcano Arenal

“The Springs” in the Arenal Volcano area - another breathtaking resort - a view from the hotel room that was amazing - we had just kind of hunkered down before dinner - sitting on the veranda of our room when out of no where a couple of toucans flew right past us and landed in the tree within eye shot - what a treat we had - it had just rained and there they were drinking water from the center of the epiphyte (basically it is a bromeliad that just grew on a limb) - happy as any toucan can be - what a sight! I don’t know who jumped out of their seat faster - Paul or Dawn … it was so much fun to share that sight with them!

Amazing sight no matter how many times we get to see toucans

Not to mention that the volcano was right there - centered in the middle of the patio opening - oh I forgot to mention the rocking chairs on the veranda - Costa Rican wood with leather seat and back - it fit me perfect - wish I could take it home with me - I moved it from the patio inside to the room … love it!!  It even folds up for easy transport!!  Gonna keep my eyes open for it!! To bad it couldn’t fit in my suitcase!!

A lovely evening buffet and we were ready for sleep - the morning will come soon enough and we better be ready because Dawn had us on the move with a “hanging bridge” tour - starting at 8:30 ….  To say the least - another jaw dropping experience … we had a “guided tour” for the Arenal Hanging Bridges - a 2 mile loop with 6 suspension bridges - some as long as 325 feet about 150 feet off the ground with 12 other bridges allowing us birds eye views of the jungle canopy!! 

Walking on the top of the jungle!

I had two heart stopping moments - the blue butterflies were swooping in the canopy up to the waterfall and it was as if they were just gliding along - teasing us to follow them!!  Their wings are my “color” blue!!  A person can’t even describe what they see when they see that insect!  Breathtaking!

The other moment that is etched in my memory - the “blue jean” frog - bright red with huge black eyes and all four legs the color of denim. This little critter was the size of my thumbnail … from all of the photos that I have seen of them I just couldn’t believe that this frog was so small - yet has such an impact on the jungle floor.  Lucky us to get to see him in his backyard!

Such a fabulous little critter - The Blue Jean Frog!

The bridges were all quite spectacular - loads of different species of flowers, ferns, trees, palms … my eyes never stopped … both Dawn and I appreciated everything we were seeing … the guys did too!  Palm nuts looked like as if they were “dread locks” cascading out of the side of the tree …

 Graceful cascade ...

Orchids bursting from the bark …. Ginger and Helaconia’s tucked into such a tiny space; they just had a few feet of sun everyday …the ferns that grew along the cliff sides … viewed a tarantula’s home …

Yep - The Tarantula is in there!

walking on the trail we were shaded with the different levels of the jungle … truly an amazing experience!

One of the fun things driving allows  us to do (and we don’t get these opportunities in the boat) is just to stop by a roadside artist shack - we were treated to a real exhibit of local talent and art - purchasing a beautiful mahogany bowl for our new home - Dawn and Paul a fabulous ironwood vase … once again totally spontaneous and so lucky to get to speak with the artist. 

Now remember this is all the same day:  after a little snack in the car (Paul brought his Deer Jerky with him as a treat) Dawn decided we needed to see a Costa Rican waterfall - and boy she knew how to pick one (Remember we had just finished the bridge loop). The trail to the waterfall - “Catarata Rio Fortuna” was a “short” 480 steps down and I mean steps - irregular pieces of cement or boulders that resembled stairs - pretty much a vertical walk with a hand rail … remembering that I had to walk back up - I just paced myself - knowing that at the end of the walk down we would be treated to a sight ….

Only 480 of these - good thing I had my knees fixed!

The falls were spectacular … the cool mist and pools were lovely to view  …. Now the walk back up …. Just like our backpacking days - I counted my steps and reminded my knees that they could do it!!  And they did …. Late lunch and then the hot springs … we all melted in that warm spring waters - every bone in our body loved it!!

Rio Fortuna Waterfall

Rested we were ready for day seven …we did a self guided walking tour at the Volcano Arenal National Park … about a 5 mile hike - we bouldered our way up to the point where the volcano was a close as we could get …
.

Volcano Arenal stopped erupting just last year.

Again the path held special treats for us - orchids blooming between the volcanic rocks, amazing birds and insects, flower species that we photographed to identify later, jungle and sugar cane fields … pretty amazing sights … back to The Springs we really melted into the hot springs …. Went down to the pools that went along the river ….  Another quite night - I think our bones told us to go to sleep!

so good for the old bones!

Refreshing!

Day eight started out early because once again - we knew that we wouldn’t have enough time to see all … so of course breakfast was a main concern … on our way to The Springs we had stopped off at the German Bakery for a little snack - so with that in mind - we choose that spot for breakfast - a Czech girl’s perfect breakfast of sauerkraut and dumplings for me, Paul and Dale had the traditional German Sausage and eggs combo (Paul’s came with a beer) and Dawn had the very nutritious - 3 pastry combo … (I took a chocolate croissant for the car) ….

So off we headed up the volcano roads to MonteVerde - a very unique spot on the volcano - we stopped at the Orchid Farm … a young woman passion has produced a 270 specimen garden from the tiniest orchids in the world to the beautiful catalayas, wild single day orchids, oncidiums in different colors - a real treat for us florists!!

Apparently one of the tinest orchids in the world!

Next stop was the butterfly garden - so well done - and a perfect place to see the Blue Morph Butterfly in all of her glory!! (I am sure she was a she - so very beautiful!!) 

Also went to a Reptile House for Costa Rican snakes, frogs and spiders plus a stop at the hummingbird garden - all sizes of these little birds … Their wings going a mile a minute!

After all of this “fun” - the drive back to Marina Papagayo was nothing short of spectacular - about 100 miles of dirt and rock roads - thanks to the four wheel drive vehicle we had a “Costa Rican Massage”!  The scenery of the countryside was so diverse … going from the jungle back down to sea level was quite a change - including the temperature - at least a 20 degree difference. 

Often barely a two lane road - once in while had to make room for the cattle to go past us.

Seeing Costa Rica with Dawn and Paul was a blast … during a lot of our driving time - Paul was humming and occasionally singing “Blue Skies - nothing but Blue Skies!” And that is exactly what we had! It was so great to share Costa Rica with them! 

On top of the world - nothing short of incredible...

Thank you “dudes” for one of the great times and experiences in our lives!!

Back at the Marina Papagayo for one last toast to a great trip!