We left early Friday morning and flew into San José, Costa Rica. Arturo picked us up at the airport and drove us 3 hours through the country side to La Fortuna on the East face of one the hundreds of active volcanos in the area – Arenal. We got to our beautiful hotel which had amazing views from our lil front porch complete with rocking chairs and private hot springs. Friday night we ate at the hotel and enjoyed our front porch and Costa Rica’s national beers, Imperial, before going to sleep early.
Saturday, we slept in, late that morning we explored the town of La Fortuna before heading out for a guided jungle trek. The trek started at the base of the volcano, but from the jungle’s triple canopy overhead we couldn’t see it. We did see many types of birds and insects, spider and howler monkeys. That evening we had our first taste of Cacique Rum before heading out to Baldi hot springs.
Back at our resort we spent some time wandering around, and while overlooking the resort and volcano you told me you loved me and asked if I would marry you. I said of course I would, just ask me. You said you thought you just did while slipping a ring into my left hand. We went back to the room where you slipped the ring on my finger and made me the happiest I have ever been!!!
Monday morning brought the sun for the first time since we arrived, which was perfect for the zip-line
tour through the jungle. The tour started about half way up the face of the volcano, and we worked our way down via an intricate system of wire cables. We spent the rest of the afternoon at the pool and front porch enjoying some spectacular views. We went to La Fortuna for dinner and souvenirs before packing up for leg two of our trip – The Beach!!!
The drive to our beach hotel in the town of Tamarindo. We had an oceanfront room complete with a creature that lived in our ceiling. We named it Tupac, in hopes it was a toucan and not a jungle rat.
The next morning, we took surfing lessons. Deeter did really well and I was able to get up a couple times. We spent the rest of the day putzing on the beach and enjoying the all-inclusive part of our hotel with our favorite waiter – Edwardo.
Thursday, we spent the morning at the pool, then that afternoon we went on a catamaran tour/booze cruise. We sailed for about an hour before swimming to shore at a deserted beach, even after I saw a water snake. We drank Imperials while we sailed back to Tamarindo while we watched the waves in the distance crashing under the setting sun.
We met some nice couples from Michigan on the tour and they invited us to see their amazing rental house, dinner, and hermit crab races. I always picked the winning crab, and somehow you always ended up stealing my crab.
Friday was more surf lessons. We had so much fun, and I was even better than the first time. After, we laid on the beach, had ocean side massages, and enjoyed the pool before finishing up with some final souvenir shopping. We later walked on the beach and enjoyed our last Costa Rican sunset.
On Saturday, we rode to the airport and stopped for the best arroz con pollo we had on the trip. Our flight back to phoenix was uneventful, mostly we were sad to be leaving such a beautiful country and vacation. We can’t wait until we go back!!!
