Scales Mound High School is traveling again. It has been 6 years since our first trip to Costa Rica, also the first international trip for the high school. It was exciting to tour a second time with a new group of student adventurers.
Good morning from Costa Rica. A great way to start the trip with a cup of good coffee, an easy chair. listening to the morning birds. Last night we arrived to our little bungalow in the rain. Trekking though the jungle in the jungle rain to find your room was a little stressful. But this morning is a great start to a very busy day.
We started the tour with a huge adventure. Whitewater rafting! The Tenorio River is known for the best rafting in Guanacaste. For 2.5 hours rafters faced a mix of II, III, and IV rapids. This was putting new paddling skills to the test as it was the first time rafting for many of the travels.
Our next stop was a wildlife center where conservationists work to protect and rehabilitate animals. Many of the animals at the center were taken from people who had illegally captured them for the purpose of selling on the black market.
We stay on the move during this trip. Driving across the country provides with us many beautiful scenes. Our next stop is the Rincon de la Vielja National Park area. We will spend a couple days in this area with many activities scheduled that will take place at the Buena Vista Rincon Resort.
The resort provides many activities, while also located in the Rincon de la Vieja National Park. Before we hike volcanoes and slip down waterslides, a quiet cup of coffee while enjoying the sites and sounds of Costa Rican jungle. Morning coffee is always important, especially when in a country known for coffee plantations.
Coffee is finished and ready for a national park hike. This is the location of the Rincon de la Vieja Volcano. The park is made up of two areas consisting of 31,000 acres, Las Pilas and Santa Maria. There are nine volcanic cones, waterfalls, trails, hot springs, fumaroles (vents in the earth that release hot steam and volcanic gases) and mud pits. As we hiked we could hear many different birds, but they were hard to see due to the dense tree foliage.
The one animal we saw was a coati, a close relative of the raccoon. It had the curious manners of a raccoon and really didn’t care that we were on the trail. The only bird I was able to get a picture of was a White-throated magpie-jay. These birds are very loud with their social calls.
Back to the resort for a late afternoon horseback ride. I have ridden horses many places, but I have never ridden a horse in another country. It was a wild ride. Unfortunately, I think the horses were so well trained they didn’t need the rider to give them any direction.
We ended the day with a few trips down the waterslide, a tractor wagon ride to a hot mud bath, and hot springs pools. The water slide gave some good photo opportunities. The wagon ride was a great opportunity to see monkeys and birds in the trees above. No pictures from the mud bath or hot springs. It was unfortunate no pictures were taken at the mud bath, Everyone covered in hot mud was a real sight.
One thing I find interesting when I travel are restroom signs. I know this is a little odd. I think the uniqueness of the signage from country to country is why I am drawn to taking pictures of restroom signs.
Our first outing today is riverboat tour through the Palo Verde National Park. The park is known for 60 different species of song birds and protects one of the worlds most endangered ecosystems. We saw many alligators sunbathing, iguanas hanging in the trees, and bats napping on the side of a tree trunk. No matter what you see, river cruises are always interesting, educational, and relaxing.
After the boat ride, we visited a cultural center where we learned about the history of sugar cane production in Costa Rica. A demonstration, that included student participation, showed how sugar cane was processed using cows for the power to turn the grinding mill.
Our travels have taken us across Costs Rica. Our final stop is a beach resort on the Pacific Ocean side of the country. Activities scheduled for our resort stay is time at the pool and beach, surf lessons, and some souvenir shopping.
But first we must start the day with a quiet up of coffee on the balcony of my room, listening to the morning birds sing and the waves of the Pacific Ocean.
Surf lessons. Some were successful and some were not. But everyone had a fun time trying to catch a wave!
Travel adventures always go fast. The busy days keep you moving, learning and experiencing the culture and lifestyle of the country. Roaming across Costa Rica was an amazing experience, especially when you share the adventure with student travelers.
Pura Vida! Until I see you again Costa Rica.
Roaming the World with Mrs. Kelly 