Following on from Part 3, we travelled over to the Arenal volcano, the most active cone in Costa Rica and one of the world’s most active volcanoes. The last major eruption was in 1968.
We stopped at a checkpoint hut, where we changed for a cycle ride, but the cloud was low, and rain was threatening, so we didn’t get any decent photos of the volcano, and after a wet ride, returned to the hut to get dry and changed.
Our stop this evening was in Sarapiqui region where they grow banana, pineapple and palms.
I realise I haven’t mentioned much about Costa Rica in general – it is very progressive in its Environmental policies, and hopes to become carbon neutral next year.
It doesn’t have an army, USA looks after its security, and has spent the money on education instead.
The lodge is next to the Sarapiqui river, and they feed the birds in the central lawn, so the afternoon was spent with out binoculars in hand.
a little bird that flew into the restaurant and landed on our guide’s shirt.
the bird table
Woodpeckers trying to take over
The lawn was home to dozens of tiny strawberry, or blue jean frogs, that chirruped constantly.
That evening there was an optional bat viewing trip, which we decided to miss, but when we strolled around the cabins, found our own bats in plain view, roosting under the roof of one of our huts.
The second day started with a jungle walk, where we saw lots of creepy crawlies, and birds of course. We stopped for lunch next to a pineapple plantation, and our guide cut fresh pineapples for us to eat – you’ve not tasted real pineapple until you have one that fresh.
That afternoon we had the best activity of the trip – a zip wire through the rain forest.
After a climb up through the forest, and then up ladders up the trees, we then travelled down a series of zip wires, ending with a long wire across the river.
I think you can tell we enjoyed that.
Shardlows Highs 