One of the girls woke us up by 6:30 or so we thought so we could get breakfast at 7, however, the time on her phone had not adjusted and we were still an hour ahead. So we were actually getting up at 5:30AM and wondering why no one else was up! Ooops! We ended up getting to see the sun rise this way though and the first sight of Costa Rica---it was lushly green, with tall green plants. All the houses were gated off and had barbed wired around the top of the gates (it seemed like a thing everyone did and not just the neighborhood we were in). Barb-wired I found out was very common to keep people was entering when you left the house.
We all went back to bed for a short nap and got up just after 7 to grab breakfast. We had a beautiful fruit plate (pineapple, bananas, papaya, and watermelon) ready for us--and it was delicious (juicy and just ripe). We also had toast and marmalade (couldn't tell you the flavors but one was red and the other yellow-both good), OJ and also frost flakes (which I added my bananas too of course). It was a very filling breakfast and soon it was off to pack again and head to the Volcano.
I got one of my surveys completed by the Inn's owner and then hopped into the van. Since Carolina and her friend were accompanying us the van had 13 people in it so our bags were strapped on top. They were covered in garbage bags in case in rained, but it was rather a sight to see (a van loaded with people and topped with suitcases).
The first place we drove (an hour travel) was Paos Volcano National Park. It was 8,200 ft (an altitude of 2708m). Today was warm (probably about 70 or so)--however because we were travelling so high up the temperature kept dropping. There was also a lot of fog which made it really hard to see when we got to the top. This crater I was told is the largest one in the world and there lies a pool of water (which is shrinking in size). Catalina shared that the shrinking means that the temperature of the crater is getting warmer and warmer and that an eruption is going to happen soon. After seeing what we could between the fog, we walked down to the Laguna Botos---this was a rainforest hike. It has such bright green plants, a few squirrels, a few birds, and was rather steep to walk up. When we got to the top, again it was very foggy so we just relaxed a bit. The oxygen was rather thin and had dropped a few degrees as well. We looked around and then headed back down---we were all starving by then (but luckily I had some peanut butter crackers to save me!).
We headed to back to the van and were off to lunch! Along the way, Catalina spotted a sloth so the driver (Carlos) pulled off and let us out! It was a female, three-toed sloth hanging on a wired off the side of the road. She moved a bit (as if she was posing for the pictures). She moved very slow, tried to grab leaf a few times and then gave up since it was too far out of reach.
We continued down the path to find a strawberry farm. We were greeted by some strawberry wine tasting (it was good-but after Italy's wine nothing compares) Cecila bought some for us some strawberries to share and we were off again to find lunch. We finally reached a little, local restaurant just down the path. It was delicious---I had some grilled chicken, salad, and rice (beans which I didn't have were also part of this staple Costa Rican diet). Also we all got smoothies---made from fresh fruit and ice--I got a pineapple one which was just delicious! Mmmmm fresh, tasty blended fruit! This restaurant also had free wifi so some of us jumped on to the internet for a few short minutes. After eating our delicious lunches it was back to the van for another 2 hour drive. This drive was a bit more nerve racking. It reminded me of driving in New Zealand on the edge of cliffs with no railings or guides. The roads were very windy and completely downhill. Carlos (driver) did an outstanding job! There are no lines deciphering right of left side of the road and people drive down in the middle sometimes. Also, trucks and vans try to pass each other even when the road is so narrow to begin with. It was a bit scary a couple close edges but I knew we were safe! We passed more strawberry sellers and also found a huge, gigantic waterfall. It was extremely powerful and the biggest one I have ever seen. We jumped out of the van and were all getting misted on even though we were still very far away--- it was a beautiful sight! We all got back in the van, heading back down the path. Along the side of the road we saw Coati--which are Costa Rican raccoons (looked like a mix between an ant eater and raccoon) and also howler monkeys! The Coatis walked right up to the van, looking for food and the monkey was in a tree which we couldn't get very close to but got to see one at least.
We finally made it to Tirimbina which is the lodge we were staying at for the next 4 days. Tirimbina is a resort which has education programs for kids, students, and adults-spreading the need to save animals and their habitats. Tirimbina shows the benefits which the animals they have have provided. Tirimbina has 185 species of plants, 1003 species of butterflies, 180 species of birds (yipee!....not), and 103 species of mammals! The place was covered in plants, hiking paths, and reserves.
We met with Catalina to learn a little bit about Tirimbina and then jumped on out computer and went to the restaurant which they have for dinner. I had a salad, chicken on the bone and some steamed vegetables. There was also ice cream which was delicious. I had a vanilla bean pop which had some coconut in it as well! Mmmmm just the perfect way to end my first day in Costa Rica! For the rest of the evening, everyone jumped online. Since the wifi in my room doesn't work, I had to be in the lobby on the internet. I spent the evening updating my fb and my blog and then we all headed to the room. I showered and then crashed---it was a long adventurous day and its only the beginning!
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