Costa Rica Day 4
Costa Rica
Day 4 - December 7, 2002 - Tortuguero to San Jose, Arenal Volcano Lodge
We got up at 5:15 and got packed and were out of the room by 5:55. We took or baggage to the front desk and then went to the restaurant for a quick continental breakfast.
We went to the front and met the rest of our group as we got on the boat to take us to the airport. We floated over and landed on an embankment and walked to tarmac. The control tower was a guy by a round picnic table and he checked off names from the clipboard.
The first plane came in and it was very small. Then two more arrived, one even smaller, and then ours arrived. Our sat 20 people and it was the biggest. Nature Airlines. Twin engine, two people on one side, and another on the other.
We took off and as we were sitting in the front we could see the direction, flight speed and altitude. All of the instruments. We never got higher than 8,500 feet so I was able to take a lot of pictures. We crossed over a set of mountains and dropped into a little airport in San Jose.
We were met by our driver, Harry. When we asked about our luggage we had left at the Milvia Hotel, he knew nothing and had to call the hotel. We went back across San Jose, 40 minutes, to pick them up. While we were there Mom asked them to mail postcards, potty stop and a cup of coffee and we helped load the big luggage on top of the van to have more room.
Finally we were on the road with the six of us and Harry. We climbed out of San Jose valley and our first stop was at a coffee plantation where we learned about coffee, the cultivation and how hard the workers have to work. We also enjoyed a cup of coffee, and then continued our climb to 6500 feet and crossed the continental divide on our way to the La Paz Waterfall Gardens.
We toured the butterfly pavilion, the hummingbird garden, and then climbed to five very tall waterfalls. There were very good trails and viewing platforms that took us above the rushing waters. We had to climb about halfway back up and then a van took us back to the visitors center.
We had a traditional Costa Rican buffet with rice and beans, meat, chicken, salad, and rice pudding. Also drank Star fruit juice. From there we drove 2.5 hours to the Arenal Volcano and the Arenal Volcano Lodge. It is very cloudy so we were not able to see the top or any of the activity - maybe tomorrow.
Our room is situated so that we have picture windows facing the volcano. We can lay in bed and see out. We went to the restaurant/bar and wanted to see the CU-OU game but it was not on. We sat and talked and about 7:30 we had a nice dinner. Mushroom Steak for Mom (UNDERCOOKED) and grilled sea bass in garlic and mushrooms.
At 9:30 we came back to our room to write the notes and edit the pictures and then get some sleep. Our guide, Harry, told us that after our morning hike we would go to town for lunch and we will use the internet café at that time. We hope we can find one and use it. It will be a Sunday morning so...
We saw a lot of Keel Billed Toucans today, We are making a list of all the animals and birds we are seeing. Quite a list.
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