Costa Rica 2011

April 29,  La Fortuna (near Arenal Volcano), Costa Rica

Up early even though did not have to get up!  Not good!

But out for coffee and breakfast.

Did not do much today, went for a short walk around town, bank, and even a bit of shopping.

Nice swim in the pool and then out for dinner.

April 28,  La Fortuna (near Arenal Volcano), Costa Rica

Off and running at 7..15 am!  Very early, but at least had a chance to have breakfast!

First to Hanging Bridges.  Several bridges the cross valleys with some in the canopy of the rain forest.  Very neat!  Saw a viper, red frog and a couple of birds nests as well as a tarantula.

Then to La Fortuna Waterfall.  Walked down several steps, they said 400 to this nice waterfall.  Could not swim under the waterfall but were able to get in a small pool downstream.  Very cool but refreshing.  Interesting as many fish swimming in the pool, could have been trout!

Lunch at same place as yesterday and then off to do the Volcano hike.  This hike was through some sugar cane that had to be 15 feet high.  Then on to the lave flow from the 1992 eruption.  This flow was more rocky than lava but still interesting.  Rocks/lava was fairly light, not what I expected.

Then off to the Tabacon Hot Spring.  Huge place with 19 different pools.  Some of them fairly natural and some regular pools.  All very nice.  A real maze of pathways to the various pools and spent a lot of time trying to find my way back!  Water felt great and the setting was very nice.  Rain forest type trees every where, sometimes so thick you could not see the sky!

Finally got home at 9.30 pm.  Long day, very tired, but nice to get out and do some walking and get some exercise while seeing some sights!

April 27, La Fortuna (near Arenal Volcano), Costa Rica

Up very early to catch the shuttle bus to La Fortuna.  Left hotel at 7.30 am but nice as arrived at new hotel at about 11.30 am.  Room not even ready.  Trip did not even seem that long as ended up traveling with 3 girls from New Jersey that have just finished medical school and traveling in Costa Rica and one from Barcelona.  Very interesting to talk to them.  Cancer, cardiology and emergency medicine will be their specialties.

Then spent the afternoon walking around and checking out tours and making travel arrangements.  Finally done, and hopefully have not confused the dates!  Confusing trying to deal with this weekend travel and then trying to arrange travel to Guatemala City next week as well!

April 26, San Jose, Costa Rica

Easy day.  Went off and wandered around the city area again.  Like a different city with people on the streets and the shutters of stores open!  Surprises at each one as I had no idea what was behind the shutters!  Bar and restaurant across the street! And many shops along the pedestrian mall.

Went to the Museum of Gold.  Just ok, for the price.  Fairly expensive.  Did show some of the history of the currency in Costa Rica.  The most interesting part was that many of the plantation created their own currency in order to pay the workers.  These could then be used to purchase goods they needed!  Was late 1800 or early 1900s that a common country currency was established.

Then just spent the rest of the day walking the mall, sitting in park!  Met an American that lives in San Jose.  Interesting chatting with him.  Ex army and has retired here.

Finds it cheap to live.