Monteverde for two nights

This morning we went zip-lining and everyone enjoyed it to the fullest extent.  The last two lines were over 400 meters long, and came out of the forest over the top of the canopy.  The final challenge was to do the "Tarzan Swing".  This was a suspension bridge over a canyon where a participant walks out on to the edge of the walk and presses up to a gate about 120 ft. high, the two employees set the rope, open the gate, and you free fall for about 20 ft. before swinging out over the landing area back and forth.  It was intense and almost the entire group participated.
 After some free time this afternoon we will head to Punta Leona (aka the beach!)

There are way too many pics to upload on the zip line day. Take a look at the videos here to see what almost all of the group did today.  Below we will see two different reactions to the Tarzan Swing, Michael, and Chey.  Unfortunately my session we not recorded correctly, but to be honest my reaction was more along the lines of Chey's, hence the shaking while I am recording Michael. 

Transport day from La Fortuna to Monteverde Cloud Forest

Today was a long day of transport, but we had a great time nonetheless.  We visited two schools, planted a tree, and are now staying near Santa Elena in the Monteverde Cloud Forest.  The cloud forest is a very unique environment and this type of forest makes up only 2% of the earth's rainforests.  The students were able to get an in depth look at the Costa Rican culture through its schools and students.  I will post pics later.

This a sloth that we spotted on the way out of La Fortuna

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More Monkeys! Howler Monkeys! This family of monkeys was on the side of the road next to Lake Arenal.  We followed Arenal almost all the way to Monteverde. 

This is of Diego backing up the bus near a bridge that we were crossing at teh bottom of a canyon on the way to Monteverde. The bus had to do a 55 point turn to line up with the bridge due to the width.

The students at this tiny school, Monteverde De Las Nubes, put on a dance performance for the group before playing a soccer game before we left.

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6.22 La Fortuna waterfall and kayaking on Lake Arenal- El dia de agua

This morning we were able to swim in La Fortunta waterfall and later went kayaking.  The waterfall was impressive to say the least. A 500 step "stairway" down to the falls was well worth seeing.  The water drop is 120 feet and the pool at the bottom is around 150 yards across. Diego told us that we were not allowed behind the waterfall, or within ten feet of it. We may have been able to get behind it, but there is no way a person could get within ten feet of the falling water due to the current it creates (many tried). On the way out of the waterfall we saw two Howler monkeys!  After a half hour drive we came to Lake Arenal and kayaked across the lake to a swimming area.  The group had a great time working together in the two person kayaks and at one time we were able to get a clear shot of the volcano that hides in the clouds very close to the lake. We returned to eat lunch at the hotel, then drove back to La Fortuna to shop and have free time.  After we shopped around a bit at La Fortuna we headed to a hot springs resort that turned out to be a resort for Costa Ricans and tourists alike.  The resort consists of natural hot spring water flowing into man-made pools.  Pools ranged from cool water all the way up to 150 degrees.  We just arrived back at Las Cabanitas and are going to be eating at 7:30.  Most of the group, including myself, kept their bathing suits on the entire day!  Between the hike and the kayaking, I am assuming we will have some sore travelers tomorrow during our trip to Monteverde. **Shelli Hulse is also running a blog.  View her pictures at http//my.eftours.com/shellih/costa-rica-a-touch-of-the-tropics

Casey gets some pics of the La Fotuna waterfall before descending into the swimming area.

Don't worry it's not poisonous

Contrary to what seems to be going on in this picture, Ben and Zeke made it back to the shoreline first...by far (I was trying to catch them).

Hector gave us strict instructions that you should only splash with hands so that we do not hit others.  Michael had to take matters into his own hands here to defend his yak against Ben. 

Linda and Haley are patiently waiting out a kayak jam here.

Claire and Shelli are showing near perfect rowing technique on the trip across the lake.

Josh, Christian, Talia and Tashi line up their yaks for a pic in front of the Arenal volcano

Arenal from La Fortuna 

The crew at the Hot Springs

Inbioparque was awesome.  We were broken up into groups of 15 members and each had our own tour guides.  The park had tons of different types of animals, plants, birds and reptiles. The guides were great. From Inbioparque we headed up to Poas volcano.  On the way to the volcano we stopped at a coffee plantation to learn about Costa Rican coffee, how it is cultivated, the history, and why the volcanic soil of Costa Rica is perfect for coffee plantations.

Poas volcano is mildly active and had it's last eruption in 1955, the crater at the top is a mile wide.  The hike to the top was an easy incline for about a half-mile.  The crater at the top was spectacular and the gasses coming out of the sulfuric lake at the bottom do the cast crater.

We are presently stopped at a restaurant on the way down from Poas and will be heading to La Fortuna after that.

Hotel in Irazu that we stayed in the first night

Introduction at Inbioparque

The guide pointed out a sloth right away.  We ended up seeing three.

Pablo explaining more about the park to the group.



Pablo explaining the characteristics of the Rattlesnake plant

Students in the fort above the Inbioparque maze

Poison dart frogs (in enclosure)

Zeke, Ben and Josh at a coffee plantation on the way to Poas

Our tour guide, Diego, explaining an important difference in a Spanish word that Zeke used.

Diego explaining the ins and outs of coffee.

On the road to Poas

During the hike to Poas

At the top of Poas Volcano with the crater in the background.

Authentic Costa Rican food at a roadside cafe.

After a long bus ride (4 hours) we finally arrived in La Fortuna. La Fortuna sits at the base of the Arenal Volcano. The setting is beautiful and we are staying in a Hotel Las Cabanitas. The weather is very humid and most of the group is currently in the pool.  

At the pool in La Fortuna

Casey and Ben guarding the pool entrance