Samara kayak trip

Just arrived back to the school from Samara beach. We decided to join the kayak tour to Isla Chora (sp). It was high tide and the waters were dangerous. I will never kayak in the ocean ever again! Our kayaks went out one by one and the guides didn't go out till the last of us. We were supposed to wait for the guides 100 meters out but there were large swells and we had to press on. There was a coral reef on one side and jagged rocks on the other side. It was very scary when the swells came.

Sunday in La Fortuna

Just had a breakfast buffet. Rice & beans, eggs, fresh fruit, local coffee, bread and very rich homemade butter.

Last night we had traditional Tico (costa rican) plates. I had the casado (married) sometimes referred to as the married man dish with beef and lots of veggies and Patrick had a Volcan dish that had rice with lots of meat.

After supper we went to the natural hot springs in Arenal which was amazing. Some of the pools were 113• or more and we could barely put a toe in them. But the ones further down were just right.
We are now off to a waterfall hike.

Monteverde

Having dinner in monteverde. Will be on a nocturnal fauna tour afterwards. Costa rica is a beautiful country. We saw coffee trees in bloom, banana trees, even a coconut tree. Our first nights stay is in a beautiful hotel room overlooking the cloud forest. We are told we may see howler monkeys in the morning. We will try to post pictures tomorrow.

Almost there!

Getting ready to board in Miami headed for San Jose. From there we take a bus to monteverde.

5 hours to go!

I have just completed my last midterm project and have 5 hours to spare for packing, rehydrating, and possibly... sleeping? In any case, I have my sleep mask for the bus ride to Chicago that leaves IUSB a little after one o'clock Friday morning. Patrick is out buying last minute items for our host family and bug spray.

By this time tomorrow we will be in Monteverde on a nocturnal fauna walking tour in the forest. For weeks we have been preparing for Costa Rica and I hope to marinate in the experience while we are there, taking the time to enjoy the fresh air and beautiful scenery.

Good-bye snow... Hello paradise