Costa Rica...

Visited the Turubari National Park. 595 Acers of Tropical rain forest preserved...


'Canopy' is a famous Costa Rican Activity. It involves being suspended by Pulleys and going through the rain forest from one Tree top to another. The longest lines is about 700 metres. Here I am all strapped up and good to go..

You can see the canopy line to your left . That's how high it is

Here I go..

The second activity was something called as the sensational cable. Its a little scary because you are suspended through the length of your body and you slide down suspended by a pulley.

You travel 1200 ms this way and it takes about 45 seconds. Its scary before you take off. Once you do its a wonderful feeling. Feel like a bird.. and you really do get a bird's eye view.

Am Off..

We had lunch there. The group I travelled with today was very interesting. There was this little kid who would volunteer first for any activity. Her Dad had no other option but to follow. Though vexed he was really proud and was bragging about how his daughter was fearless. He went on to say how in his youth he had served in the army and how terrible it was because you cant get out once you are in.  Wit and Sarcasm are an explosive combination ! :)

Then there was this couple who stay in Costa Rica who were also touring with us. And the lady fainted because of the sun. She was being treated for dehydration and this guy started taking pictures.. :D.. Apparently he wanted to remember it all.. :D:D .. I found it so funny..People do strange things when in love I guess!

We were back by 6:00. Traffic here is just as bad as it is in India.

Meena Venkataraman

Costa Rica...

Will be visiting another volcano today. Mt Arenal. It's the most active volcano in Costa Rica.

The drive to the volcano takes us about 4 hours. It's a boring drive. We stop at a town just before the volcano and click some pictures.

A Shop selling Costa Rican Accessories

We get to the resort where they have the hot springs. It looks more like a swimming pool to me. I ask the guide when we will get to see the volcano up close. And he points to the volcano from the resort and says u can watch it from the pool....

Craters from the first Eruption

Come on I didn't drive up here for 4 hours to watch the volcano from the pool..So I argue a bit and he finally agrees to put me on another tour which takes you into the Volcano National Park. I get to go with a totally different set of people and It was wonderful fun.

 The guide explains that the first eruption happened in 1968. You can see the crater from the eruption in the picture.  agrees to put me on another tour which takes you into the Volcano National Park. I get to go with a totally different set of people and It was wonderful fun. The guide explains that the first eruption happened in 1968. You can see the crater from the eruption in the picture.
It had remained inactive for 400 years and was considered extinct. The first eruption killed 78 people and buried 3 villages in the vicinity and resulted in the formation of three new crater. Since this is an area of volcanic activity we were forewarned that an eruption could occur at any time and we were to be prepared. The guide form the previous tour told me it would be dangerous , but then again so was sitting in that stupid swimming pool watching the volcano. I'd rather watch the volcano up close. If the volcano were to erupt we would all be dead anyway .. No???????

The guide has our absolute attention :)

We had to hike through the national Part. The group was a lot more fun . There were two kids one aged 10 who walked with me for most of the hike. Most times I get along really well with children. I find their candor refreshing and the conversation was extremely interesting.

Leaf Cutter Ants

Our Guide..

On the way we saw some of the flora and fauna of this habitat. In the picture you see the fighter ants carrying leaves
The guide explains how some of these plans have adapted themselves to this terrain.

Apophyte

As we walked through the park the guide points out and tells us intresting bits about the fauna there.

Mt Arenal

The water that accumulates in the stem is something that the monkies drink when they are thirsty
Mid way through the hike we hear the volcano rumble and we can see the ash sliding off the sides. It was one of the most breathtaking sights I've seen. Mixture of fear and excitement..What if it did erupt?

Ash and Smoke from the erupting Volcano..

View of Arenal

Hiking our way into the park..

We continue on our trial. The trail is actually the site of the first eruption. So you see craters, volcanic soil, rocks, ash and other souvenirs from the first explosion on the way.

Arenal in the background. The closest I ever got to a smouldering active Volcano :)

Finally we stop at a point close enough to the volcano. Any firther is dangerous the guide warns. Someone asks what happens if we go all the way. He says you'll be dead before you get to that point.. pointing to a place in the distance. The group laughs. And then more seriously he explains that the sulpher and poisonous gases would kill anyone who tried..
The scenery is breath taking. Pictures cant do justice to what I saw. Grey smoke filled skies. The imposing Volcano. The distant rumble. The Brown Earth and the wonderful green all around speckled with yellow. And the smell of rain..

The group rests a bit..

We were standing there taking pictures and it began to pour. I was like.. Camera Camera.. ! :)

Scenes from Arenal National Park

The green and yellows made for some lovely scenes along the way

It poured for 3 minutes or so and then stopped. I was told this is pretty common. It rains all year round .The locals call the yellow trees 'Broccoli'

Broccli

The view of the  Lake (which happens to be manmade) from Arenal National Park

The lake in the picture is man made. It is used to generate hydroelectric power.After about two hours of hiking we head back. I had the time of my life.And I feel so alive ..

- Meena Venkataraman

Costa Rica..

I have been up since 1. I just can't seem to get the time right. The Sun is up by 5. The View outside is lovely. Get some work done and get ready for my first day out in Costa Rica..
The packaged tour that I have paid for picks you up and drops you back at the hotel. We start at 7:00 AM. There are about 10 others. Sit upfront . Makes me feel like am driving the bus.

The Steets of Costa Rica

Out first Stop is the Doka Estate. The guide explains how coffee is made. The more you roast the beans the less the caffeine. Talks a little about the different Blends. Here in Costa Rica the seeds are hand picked as opposed to whats done with machines in Brazil and other countries like Columbia. The estate makes eight different kinds of coffee.

Coffee Estates

A Lesson in Cofee Making

Picture shows the samplings which are less than a year old. Coffee is often grown with Banana which protects it from the winds. We breakfast here.

Cofee Seeds

On our way we get to taste some Coffee Liqueur. It tastes great. Wonder if I could buy some but decide against it..

Entrance to Poas National Park

Our next stop is the Poas volcano . the volcano is 8200 feet above sea level and is surrounded by lush forests. Costa Rica belongs to the pacific ring of fire and so has about 117 odd volcanoes. The highest Costa Rica`s volcano is Irazu, the most active is Arenal and Poas has the second widest crater in the world. (diameter 1,5 kilometres).

Volcano Poas

The Mouth of the Crater..

It has three craters, only one is active. The active crater measures 1.k Km in diameter and is 300 m deep(900 feet). you can smell sulphur in the air. The crater looks ancient and black. The last major eruption happened in 1910. Ever since this crater has been spewing poisonous gases. Legend has it that the word Poes comes from a indigenous Indian Tribe

I was there..

At the Park

One of the craters is a lagoon filled with water and ambushed by lush green tropical forests

Quick Lunch and we then head to the La Paez Waterfall. Theres an Aviary here and it wonderful seeing all the birds. some like the toucan I've only seen on National Geographic and their curious pretty faces really made me smile.

The Butterfly farm was full of rioting colours. Caught a few on my camera

Humming Bird..

And Finally got to see the elusive Humming Bird..!

The Waterfall was really pretty. But I've seen far prettier ones back home in India. For me the greatest thing would always be standing by the smouldering volcano wondering what would happen if it erupts :)

Where the opening scene of Jurassic Park was shot..

On the way back we stopped by another waterfall. the opening scene in Jurassic Park is supposed to have been shot here.

Our Day ended with  a boat ride on one of the local rivers which connects Costa Rica to Nicaragua. Costa Rica is teeming with wildlife. The best way to seesome is by cruising through the river ecosystems.

Vultures feeding on a cow's Caracas

Very quickly we spotted vutures feeding on what looked like a Cow's carcas. I can't believe we are this close. They don't seem to care that we are around. they continue eating , indifferent to our presence.

Monkeys..

Alligators..

And then it poured for a couple of minutes.. The weather here is really capricious. We sat back in the boat watching ripples and hearing the rush of rain water coming down on the roof of the boat.
 The boat ride ended and I was dropped back home..Tired and Exhausted ..But happy! :).

Wish everyday was as nice as this one

-Meena Venkataraman