14. Canyoning
Canyoning has simply got to be the most fun activity I’ve ever done. It has got to be the coolest way to explore a rainforest. And lets not forget going through waterfalls. How much better can it get. Talk about an adrenaline rush!
Canyoning as the term suggests is exploring canyons (in terrains such as rainforests in Costa Rica) by walking through the rivers/streams, rapelling down the canyon walls, going through waterfalls etc. We went through the La Roca company and again we found them to be very special needs friendly. I was assigned my own guide to ensure my safety. There was a guide at the top and at the bottom for each rapel down the canyon wall to make sure I did not collide against the rocks. The adventure started by putting on our harness and listening to the safety talk. In the rapel you have to hold onto the rope above you with your left hand while you slowly feed out the rope in your right hand positioned near your hip as you descend. You kind of bounce off the canyon walls with your feet. The idea is to do this slowly so that you come down slowly too. There were different kinds of rappels and dunks in some waterfalls. At one place we had to jump into the water from the rocks. There was even a zipline and a small Tarzan Swing. In the Tarzan Swing, they swing you across the gap and then rapel you down. We crossed a hanging bridge which again swayed a lot as people walked across. In between there were stomps through the little rippling streams of water. It finished off with a trek up back to their base camp. A delicious meal followed.
What can I say about Canyoning. My mundane dry description does not even scratch at what an excitement it was!
Its a pity my lovely vacation had to come to the end.
15. La Fortuna Waterfalls
Just one more day to go in Costa Rica and i was feeling a bit sad.
Yesterday’s Canyoning had been very satisfying and it seemed like nothing could beat it. A low key activity was called for and it was decided that we would visit the Catarata Rio Fortuna waterfalls in nearby La Fortuna. There is a steep half hour hike up and down to the falls and the parents were huffing and puffing. In situations like this it helps to be hyper and have all that excess energy. I think i could have flown those steps. The trail runs through more of the magnificent Costa Rican rainforest. The 200ft waterfall at the end of the trail was a site for sore eyes. Despite having seen muchos waterfalls yesterdays, can øne ever get tired of any number of las cascadas? The pool at the base of the waterfall was reasonably shallow and just the right temperature so we jumped right in.
16. Geothermal Hot Springs
A nearby volcano means geothermal springs.
The area sprouts resorts specializing in hot springs. We got a booking at a place called "The Springs" (what else!) and that's where we were headed that afternoon. The Springs Resort was a little off the beaten path. After a turn off the main road, the road became a dirt road which was quite steep in some places. It was getting dark and the drive did not look promising at all. But the lovely resort at the end was a pleasant surprise and well worth the visit. Spring water is pumped from the geothermal springs upto the resort, filtered and channeled into the resorts man made pools, complete with waterfalls, grottos and hot tubs for the visitors to bask in. Different pools have varying water temperatures to fit the needs of the individual. We started with the coolest pool and worked our way up to the hotter pools. The hottest one was 103 deg. The increased heat also heightened the sulfur smell that geothermal wate But it's all therapeutic and absolutely relaxing actually. My body felt really good after my two great soaks, first in the waterfall, then in the hot springs.
The best thing about the dinner buffet at The Springs has got to be the la sandia-piña juga (watermelon-pineapple juice). The rest of the dinner was nice but I'm gonna miss these fresh fruit juices in Costa Rica. By the time it's pasteurized and bottled over here, the freshness is gone.
17. Ticos, Ticas, Pineapple Plantations and More
There were lots of pineapple plantations on the drive from Arenal to San Jose.
Did you know that that Costa Ricans refer to themselves as Ticos (for the men) and Ticas (for the women)! They even have Tico time, as they habitually arrive late.
There are way too many Toll Bridges as you get close to San Jose. There are many many one lane bridges too in Costa Rica. San Jose itself has lots of confusing traffic rotundas.
Road Signs:
Ceda - Yield
Alto - Stop
more….
Its a pity my lovely vacation had to come to the end.
Part 1 [From San Jose to San Jose to San Jose, Bridge at Rio Tárcoles, Macaws at Jaco, Manuel Antonio - Views from Costa Verde Hotel, Playa Espadilla Sur @ Manuel Antonio]
Part 2 [ Ziplining at Quespos - a Canopy Adventure. Damas Estuary Boat Tour. Manuel Antonio National Park. Monte Verde - Dirt Roads and Windy Slopes. Cloud Forest. Hummingbirds in Hand, And a Sky Tram, Volcán Arenal ]
Part 3 [ Canyoning. La Fortuna Waterfalls. Geothermal Hot Springs. Ticos, Ticas, Pineapple Plantations and More.]
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