We had a lovely, quiet day yesterday. Swam in the ocean (much warmer - and rougher - than the Caribbean), and then just relaxed here at the resort.
Today we went on a tram tour through the rain forest. The naturalist was very good. There were only 4 of us on the tour. Learned a lot about the different levels of the rain forest. Afterwards, he took us around to see many of the interesting animals that live here (LOTS of snakes, frogs, birds, butterflies). He also told us about how the indigenous people use some of the local plants.
It is pouring rain right now which is a very sleepy sound when you are curled up warm and safe in a nice cabana...
Tuesday, October 8, 2019
Sunday, October 6, 2019
Primal Fear
Yesterday we went zip-lining.
This is something I have been curious about for awhile and I have a friend (Wendy Gilmer) who is VERY similar to me. She tried it recently and loved it so I thought it was time to face my fears and give it a go. This is a big thing to do in Costa Rica so I thought this would be the right time and place.
I searched for an experience that was NOT the longest or most exciting zipline in Costa Rica (which most of them claim). But it did have 10 stages (!!!), rapelling and a Tarzan swing. Easy - according to the guides. If you want to slow down, you just use your upper body strength to life your weight to act as a brake. (WHAT - I HAVE NO UPPER BODY STRENGTH)
It's not crowded here so there were only three of us in our group. We took a shuttle to the start, climbed up the platform and saw the first leg. The other woman went first. Then I watched Bill go. Then it was my turn.
There was only one way - forward - so I followed instructions and went. Landed safely on the other side. Three more stages - each a little easier then the last. The launch is not a problem for me, the ride is not a problem for me. Judging how fast to go, very hard. The landing on the platform on the other side - huge problem.
Then we came to a what can only be called a death trap: a canopy bridge suspended from ropes where the slats are plenty far enough apart to allow you to slip through and fall way too far to the ground.
Yes, we were in our harnesses which were attached to a safety line across the bridge. But primal fear does not respond to logic.
Bill is in the middle of the bridge - obviously not liking it either. And it's my turn to go. Every step causes the bridge to shake. I feel myself panicking. Focus, focus, focus. One step at a time. If you stop, you will never be able to start again.
I got across but it used every last ounce of 'umph' that I had. And there were six more stages. Don't think about it - think only about one at a time.
I got through this and I am glad that I did. But I learned where my limit is. I will cross this off the bucket list and gladly watch from the bottom while other people do it. And I will be much more sympathetic in the future to other people's irrational fears: spiders, swimming, heights, snakes. Whatever your fear is, I've got your back...
Saturday, October 5, 2019
Costa Rica - Day 3
I love travelling 'off-season'. There are VERY few tourists which makes things very easy for us. It is the rainy season but it hasn't impacted us too much. Yesterday morning was beautiful - the afternoon had a couple of 'five minute' showers and then heavy rain at night.
This morning we got up EARLY for a bird watching tour. The weather was beautiful. Bright and sunny without being hot! Jesus was our guide and he was great. We were the only people on the tour. That was very lucky. Jesus was extremely knowledgeable and had an elaborate spotting scope. He could find birds and get them in the scope while I was still fooling around with my binoculars. Because there were only two of us, we were both able to see a LOT of birds. Bill is pretty good with his binocs and I am getting better. Tried to get a couple of photos but I'm not good at that yet. I hope to get better. I have a good camera - this is definitely a 'practice makes better' thing.
This afternoon we came back to our room to get a quick nap and then we watched the clouds roll in. Now we can just barely see the lawn outside of the balcony. We are in 'cloud forest' for sure.
We had talked about doing the zipline today but I guess it just wasn't meant to be today...
This morning we got up EARLY for a bird watching tour. The weather was beautiful. Bright and sunny without being hot! Jesus was our guide and he was great. We were the only people on the tour. That was very lucky. Jesus was extremely knowledgeable and had an elaborate spotting scope. He could find birds and get them in the scope while I was still fooling around with my binoculars. Because there were only two of us, we were both able to see a LOT of birds. Bill is pretty good with his binocs and I am getting better. Tried to get a couple of photos but I'm not good at that yet. I hope to get better. I have a good camera - this is definitely a 'practice makes better' thing.
This afternoon we came back to our room to get a quick nap and then we watched the clouds roll in. Now we can just barely see the lawn outside of the balcony. We are in 'cloud forest' for sure.
We had talked about doing the zipline today but I guess it just wasn't meant to be today...
Friday, October 4, 2019
Costa Rica - Day 2
Things I learned today:
in November 1950 the group of forty-four Quakers, comprising eleven families, left their northern homes and came to Costa Rica. They chose this tiny Central American country largely for its farming potential and pleasant climate, but they had also read the words of Pepe Figueres, the Costa Rican president at the time, inviting foreigners to come and help develop this country. Perhaps most attractive for the Friends though was the fact that Costa Rica had just abolished its own army and these pacifists felt they could live in peace here.https://monteverdetours.com/history-of-monteverde.html
We went for a very pleasant hike in the rain forest near our hotel this morning. Saw a lot of interesting plants, heard some unidentified birds, and saw some hummingbirds. We did this all without a map and without getting lost in the jungle ( always a plus ).
Then we went for an interesting tour that explained (in great detail) how coffee goes from a bean to a cup. Learned the different types of beans, different ways of preparing, and different types of roasting. Now I know better how to specify the type of coffee I prefer. But don't ask me tomorrow because I don't expect to retain this (sigh).
Also learned how cacao becomes chocolate. Very interesting seeing the entire process. I didn't realize how big cacao pods are. And the difference between white chocolate and dark chocolate. Got to taste every step of the process. And got to taste something like the original Aztec way of preparing a chocolate drink. Very interesting.
And, finally, sugar. Saw how cane sugar is processed. Definitely liking real brown sugar...
Interesting tidbit about Monteverde: lots of moisture, lots of jungle, no mosquitoes. Why, you ask ?? Apparently there is too much cold weather at this altitude.
Tomorrow: birding hike in the cloud forest. Hope it isn't raining too much !
Costa Rica - Day 1
Oct 3, 2019
We left our house yesterday morning at 7:45 and arriving at our hotel in Costa Rica at 2 am. I think that's 16 hours of plane travel plus stops. #gettingtoooldforthis
But... all that is over now and that great part of the trip begins.
First thing I must say - the travel group that we worked with is MARVELOUS. There were people at the airport who whisked us up, put us in a van and drove (over 4 hours!) into the mountains of MonteVerde while we tried to sleep. It was a little hard because the roads are truly awful in the mountains. Very twisty and bumpy. I think I am glad that I couldn't see over the edge in the dark! There were people waiting to check us in at the hotel and everyone was very patient with our obvious exhaustion and complete lack of any Spanish.
I am feeling very much like the classic 'ugly American' traveler. I truly have no Spanish. And I did almost no 'homework' to prepare for this trip. Things like looking up the birds / animals we are likely to see, finding out the customs of the area, etc. Normally I do that type of thing but things have been very busy recently.
Our hotel is at the top of a mountain and we are looking out over rain forest and bands of mountains rolling to the sea. This morning (maybe??) I could see the ocean in the distance. But the clouds have rolled in now and we have a great view of clouds, mountains, and rain forest.
We went for a small hike after breakfast. We heard lots of birds but had trouble seeing them closely enough to make even a stab at identifying them. We will go on a guided birding hike tomorrow and hope to have someone tell us what we are seeing !
We did see a lot of hummingbirds. Tried to use the Audubon App to identify them but had no luck. The problem is my ability to use the app, I am sure. I am still having trouble with using the cell phone (#feelingoldtoday)
The map of this place is more of what I would call a 'virtual map'. It shows where everything is in relation to everything else but it is not to scale and many roads / paths are not on the map. This can be challenging. I was a little bit worried about diving into the rainforest snaky paths without a real map but we got in and out safely.
I am very impressed by the water mgmt here. Lots of culverts and water diversion to keep the rain from washing away the land and the buildings. Interesting to see how different it is from the water mgmt in Holland. Both places need to always be aware of the power of water but their problems (and techniques) are very different. Holland is flat and below sea level so the huge problem is defense from the ocean. Costa Rica is mountainous and has a rainy season so the primary issue is managing torrential downpours and periodic large outflows.
So the question for this trip: Will I have the courage to do zip-lining? On the one hand, this terrifies me. On the other hand, this is the perfect time and place to do it. Will I regret it if I don't do it? They offer it here at the hotel. I was tempted until they told me it was 10 stages, with repelling, and a Tarzan swing. That is WAY over my comfort level.
Trying to work up my courage. #fortunefavorsthebold
We left our house yesterday morning at 7:45 and arriving at our hotel in Costa Rica at 2 am. I think that's 16 hours of plane travel plus stops. #gettingtoooldforthis
But... all that is over now and that great part of the trip begins.
First thing I must say - the travel group that we worked with is MARVELOUS. There were people at the airport who whisked us up, put us in a van and drove (over 4 hours!) into the mountains of MonteVerde while we tried to sleep. It was a little hard because the roads are truly awful in the mountains. Very twisty and bumpy. I think I am glad that I couldn't see over the edge in the dark! There were people waiting to check us in at the hotel and everyone was very patient with our obvious exhaustion and complete lack of any Spanish.
I am feeling very much like the classic 'ugly American' traveler. I truly have no Spanish. And I did almost no 'homework' to prepare for this trip. Things like looking up the birds / animals we are likely to see, finding out the customs of the area, etc. Normally I do that type of thing but things have been very busy recently.
Our hotel is at the top of a mountain and we are looking out over rain forest and bands of mountains rolling to the sea. This morning (maybe??) I could see the ocean in the distance. But the clouds have rolled in now and we have a great view of clouds, mountains, and rain forest.
We went for a small hike after breakfast. We heard lots of birds but had trouble seeing them closely enough to make even a stab at identifying them. We will go on a guided birding hike tomorrow and hope to have someone tell us what we are seeing !
We did see a lot of hummingbirds. Tried to use the Audubon App to identify them but had no luck. The problem is my ability to use the app, I am sure. I am still having trouble with using the cell phone (#feelingoldtoday)
The map of this place is more of what I would call a 'virtual map'. It shows where everything is in relation to everything else but it is not to scale and many roads / paths are not on the map. This can be challenging. I was a little bit worried about diving into the rainforest snaky paths without a real map but we got in and out safely.
I am very impressed by the water mgmt here. Lots of culverts and water diversion to keep the rain from washing away the land and the buildings. Interesting to see how different it is from the water mgmt in Holland. Both places need to always be aware of the power of water but their problems (and techniques) are very different. Holland is flat and below sea level so the huge problem is defense from the ocean. Costa Rica is mountainous and has a rainy season so the primary issue is managing torrential downpours and periodic large outflows.
So the question for this trip: Will I have the courage to do zip-lining? On the one hand, this terrifies me. On the other hand, this is the perfect time and place to do it. Will I regret it if I don't do it? They offer it here at the hotel. I was tempted until they told me it was 10 stages, with repelling, and a Tarzan swing. That is WAY over my comfort level.
Trying to work up my courage. #fortunefavorsthebold
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