Adventure #3
On the third day that I got a chance to explore, we set out to visit Arenal Volcano. It was about a 3 and a half hour, one-way road trip from San Jose. We left around 8am and made our way to Arenal. After about 40 minutes of driving, everyone needed a restroom break. We stopped near Rio Cataratita where we found a road-side gift shop. I'd advise checking out these sort of local gift shops as you can find some neat souvenirs [I found a cool little puzzle of a wooden parrot, perfect for my 5-year-old nephew].
Purchases made, and snaps taken, we hopped back in my co-workers 4x4 Explorer. By the time it got to lunch time, my co-worker made a suggestion that we stop and check out the Hanging Bridges at Parque Aventura, San Luis. There were some near Arenal Volcano I wanted to see, but he assured me this was worth it. And he was right. The Adventure Park had it all - 12 ziplines, a round-trip walking tour of the rainforest, waterfalls, hanging bridges, humming bird and butterfly monastery, and a restaurant to eat at. We didn't have time for the 2-hour zipline package, so I have that on my to-do list if ever I get the chance to go again.
The first stop on the walking tour was the hummingbird monastery. There were loads of them all over. I waited around for a bit until I was able to capture the above picture of two of them sitting and drinking at one of the feeders. As we hiked through the adventure park, we crossed about 6-8 hanging bridges of different lengths that took us over rivers, streams and beautiful tree lines. The weather was just right too. Usually in such dense proximity to trees the humidity would drain me of energy, but for whatever reason, I felt good. The last hanging bridge spat us out right at the butterfly sanctuary. As you go in you can feel the warmer climate inside the netted area, and instantly butterflies swarmed all around is. Yellow, blue green - all colors of butterflies. The only other time I had been inside a butterfly sanctuary was in Washington D.C.'s Natural History Museum, but this was different. It felt more natural and in their true environment.
Eventually the hike came full circle back to the restaurant. I ate a light chicken sandwich, and it was back to the car on our way to Arenal.
As we got closer to the volcano, I was able to appreciate the true magnitude of the volcano. It was huge. We were able to see it from miles and miles away. We weren't quite sure of where to stop, so we figured we drive all the way around and check out the man-made Lake Arenal. The Lake, too, was massive. We took some back roads covered in rocks, and at one stop, we looked down into the forage of bushes. There were leaves moving. A closer look showed a highway of large marching red ants busy taking food back home. Unfortunately I didn't have the correct camera lense with me to get some proper shots.
Our other local co-worker then called us, and told us it would be great for us to visit Los Lagos Spa & Resort. It was a small $28 fee to enter the resort which gave us access to unique view points of the volcano, as well as their vast collection of pools. My travel companions brought their swim suits, so while they swam and enjoyed the pools, I made my way up to the view point, where I was able to capture this:
It was awesome! The viewpoint took us past some of the locals' farm land with grazing cows and views of rolling hills. Down below was a stream of water passing by the foothills of the volcano. Occasionally we would see smoke simmer out of the volcano (yes, its an active volcano). Night finally approached, so after everyone showered up, I met them back at the resorts cafeteria for a decent buffet dinner. Time to head back.
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