To Arenal

Arenal 

This was our first experience here of a fairly Americanised environment in our hotel, based on the clientele and food menus. In the morning we explored the local trails in the extensive hotel grounds. Dense rain forest, steep muddy paths and mossies. We startled a wild pig (peccary) and he gave us a fright as he leapt up next to us on the trail.

Our apartment ..

In the afternoon more paddling on the Rio Penas Blancas. First experience of inflatable kayaks. We were asked “ can you paddle ? " "yes” we said and off we went into actually quite a fast flowing river, swollen after the recent heavy rains. We were ok but it took a lot of concentration and difficult to combine this with bird watching, that is, to achieve a stationary kayak in a fast moving river, which was impossible.We saw stuff and the guides were informative but steering thru the sometimes narrow channels in semi rapids and eg viewing iguanas, or using both hands to film or use binos…not possible...
Ironically at the end of the session where the guys were loading the kayaks back on the van, we were shown a great view of a sloth!
Thursday saw us up again early for a guided bird watching tour. Almost 6 hours later, Johnny our brilliant guide was still spotting birds as enthusiastically as ever. We had seen so much. He sent us a list of the birds seen later ; what a star! 

In the afternoon we walked the Mystico Bridge Walk which was next to the hotel, 2/3 miles of paved track thru stunning rain forest and views of the volcano. A series of cable bridges over the canopy gave a different perspective. Saw a cool frog and a eyelash viper as well.

Dinner ( at 6pm ) was a steak house in La Fortuna recommended separately by our guides and the simple road house open grill provided some superb steaks. 

Next day we did the trails around the base of the Volcano in the National Park. Easy walking apart from the short section on the lava trail leading up to the mirador. We then did the trail down to the lake,again easy walking and with a really good view of a sloth which had been found by a local guide.The weather had become overcast and the Lake was like something in the Lake District albeit with crocodiles. 

In the evening we had happy hour sitting on the submerged stools in the swimming pool under the tree canopy and chatting to a bunch of Yanks and Canadians who were good fun. Of course we had to stay for a second…