Zipping Around Monteverde

I was drawn to Monteverde when I learned that it was settled by a group of Quakers from Alabama. When 4 Quakers were arrested in Alabama for refusing the Korean War draft, a group left the US in protest. They moved to Costa Rica where the military had been abolished and chose Monteverde (Green Mountain) for the perfect cattle grazing lands. The Quakers started a dairy farm and agreed to preserve the Cloud Forest of Monteverde.

The area is spectacular and has remained small due to the nearly impassable roads. The community decided not to pave the roads to limit the visitors. Ironically, one of the coolest adventure activities was started here--zip lines. They run cables through the top of the trees and you take off in a harness gliding from each platform. It's the only way to fly, and to see the canopy of the cloud/rain forests which is home to the majority of the flora and fauna. I spent a couple of hours whipping through the canopy with 3 of my roommates, who were Canadian and outfitted in LuLu Lemon from head to toe. Just when we relaxed they added free falls, including a Tarzan swing that required a major leap of faith! What a way to start the day.

After a nice Tica (Costa Rican) "Tipical Food" lunch of chicken and rice, I was off to the Don Juan coffee plantation. I learned all about the rise of coffee in Costa Rica. High quality coffee basically built the economy of the nation. We even met cute little Don Juan working in the fields in his 70's.

As the coffee tour shuttle dropped me off at the Hostel another one was waiting to take us on a night hike in the forest. It started with a bang as we saw a slough on the way. Our guide was a passionate naturalist and left our group very inspired to save the rain forests! I was amazed that Costa Rica, which is the size of West VA, has 6% of the worlds biodiversity. CR serves as a bridge between the Americas and between the Caribbean and the Pacific which has created a very unique environment. We saw a gray fox that has learned to climb trees like a cat to catch prey! Very cool!

Now that I've learned so much and gotten my adrenalin fix, it's time to head to the coast! Tropical beaches here I come...

Canyoneering Craze

Up at the crack of dawn again for another thrill. The folks from Pure Trek picked Christine, Nicole and me up just past 7am to explore the local waterfalls upclose and personal by repelling down through them! More formally, canyoning is not just a rappel from a bridge or waterfall, it´s moving through a slot in a canyon using different techniques. We were outfitted with waterjacket, helmet and harness--very attractive--and taken to the top of a huge waterfall. The first step is a doozy! There´s nothing like the thrill of pushing off a rock wall with water rushing right at you. Feeling pretty invincible! We made 5 rappels and hiked between the descents. The rainforest was so alive, and very wet! The hike back up the canyon was a bear, but the lunch awaiting us back at the camp was perfection.

I had an hour back at the hostel to relax and get ready for my afternoon jaunt to Monteverde. There are several ways to get up to Monteverde and all of them are complicated due to the horrible roads. But, I wasn´t daunted. They have a transfer system called¨Jeep-Boat-Jeep, which they say as one word that sounds french, to cut down the time. I headed off in the afternoon with 3 girls from Canada and 2 from England to the home of the Cloud Forest, Monteverde. Everything is a thrill here and the roads didn´t disappoint. We made it up in 3 hours and checked into the Monteverde Backpackers. It´s not as nice as the 5 star hostel in Arenal, but we´re right in town.

As soon as we arrived, the 2 guys in our room, David and Dylan, were headed out to see some frogs. Why not? We laughed a lot and saw some amazing frogs including the famous Gaudy frog, which is an adorable green tree frog and the symbol of Costa Rica. After a little star gazing, we had a fun dinner at the Tree House Restaurant. Of course the place was built around a huge old tree. Love it here!

Blazing Trails in Arenal

You know you´re in La Fortuna when a hostel dorm room empties out at 7am. The adrenalin rush starts early here. I decided to ease into the adventure scene and go horseback riding and hiking to the La Fortuna Waterfall. At least I thought I did... We were cutting new trails in the jungle, over rocks and through rivers on the horses and the hike was more like rock climbing. Thank God I´ve been working out with the trainer! Swimming in the beautiful waterfall was well worth it though!

Spent the evening exploring the small town with a few people from the hostel. Sunday evening brought the local families out to the big church and beautiful park in the center of town. It was like watching a colorful parade. We ended up at a lovely open air restaurant with a great bottle of Chilean wine. I'm completely relaxed and back in the traveler mindset. Ahhhh

Costa Rican Adventure

After only 5 short hours direct from Newark my vacation began at adventure speed. Adorable Diego, from the Arenal Backpackers Resort, filled me in all there is to do in Costa Rica on the 2.5 hr drive up to La Fortuna. Itinerary set! I threw my pack in my 8 person bunk room and headed straight out on a group hike around the Arenal Volcano National Park. We saw Toucan's, spider monkey's, rubber trees, gorgeous flowers! After dark we headed over to an observation point to see the hot lava spewing from the active volcano which erupted in 1968. Next, our little group went to play in the hot springs. I had dinner by the springs with two adventure travelers from San Francisco, Christine and Nicole. Afterward, we found James, from England, and Gabriel, from Canada, and started playing in all the different springs. Of course the ones with swim up bars were our favorites! So, 7 hours in Costa Rica and I'd already been on nature hike and was having drinks in volcano heated hot spring. So far, so good!