My Costa Rican Love, Day 4

After four splendid days on the Pacific Ocean, Cliffy, Dave, and I packed up our baggage and began the trek to the inland town of La Fortuna. But first, we had to pony up our bill (and wait for the water to turn on to take showers–sometimes the town just turns it off) at our first hotel. Because we’d opened a tab there on our first night, we had three days worth of drinks, meals, and tips to pay for. Alas, when the billl finally came, we noticed that it was one meal short.  Cliffy is an honest Abe and he insisted we be charged for the other meal. Insisted, in fact, to the point where we were thirty minutes late on our estimated take off time.

Once we managed to hit the road, I assumed my typical road trip with Cliff and David backseat position: I curl up in the fetal postion, put my feet on the opposite end window, and close my eyes. I close my eyes not only to sleep, but because with Cliff driving and David navigating, well, I’d just prefer to not know what’s going on. But, I was awoken pretty early to go swimming in a waterfall.

I wish that I could tell you, in all seriousness, how amazing this waterfall was. It was kind of hidden and there was a large man with a machete guarding it, but once you finally get in, it’s spectacular. David and I swam right up to it and then climbed the rocks to stand behind it. It was AMAZING. Seriously. Life List of Thing’s To Do: Swim In Waterfall. Check!

After the swim, we went back to our car and started the three plus hour drive to volcano land. Like on most typical roadtrips, we stopped to examine the native monkeys, ant eaters, and dams. The outer area of Costa
Rica truly suffers from the dry season, but as we went inland, it became much more lush and green.

Our hotel is nestled three miles west of La Fortuna (the brochure says three miles north, do not let their lack of a sense of direction fool you). It’s gorgeous and we have our own little shack, one of 16 or so in a village-like set up. There’s the cutest little 3 pound Chihuahua that greets you, so I instantly had to pick him up and spoil him, regardless of the fact that I had no idea where he’d been.  After we put down our stuff, we roamed into town where we explored, bought some groceries, and had dinner.

Upon coming home, I forced the two men into their swimsuits so we could check out the natural hot springs pool the hotel has. It’s about the size of a common pool, except for it’s as warm as a hot tub. Needless to say, I plan on residing there semi permanently for the next few days, a fantastic escape for when David and Daddy become a little too much to bear.

We heard it’s cold in Michigan. Sucks for you.