We woke up in the morning to the birds chirping! We realized the windows in the place were wide open and the screens were not shut. Ha... guess that how those bugs kept getting in! ;)
I woke up and jumped in the shower... the COLD shower! Then Connie and decided to jump in the pool. I was already wet, so why not?! The pool was cold though... however, not quite as cold as the shower!
After our quick and cool dip in the pool, we got up and ready to start the adventures of the day.
One thing we have come to realize... GPS a little sketchy in CR. I do remember this from last time I was here. You can’t just put an address in and expect to get there... the first time anyway.
As we get closer to the National Park, we drive by some more commercialized areas as we continue to follow our GPS to our destination. Soon, we found ourselves on a dirt road. The dirt roads here are a little rough so of course, there is a little concern with our car but figure if we take it slow, we will be good. And then we come to a bridge. But this isn’t any bridge... it looks handmade. Sketchy is a word we used to describe it!
So, we pull over to assess the situation and to ensure we are in the right area. It appears we are, yet we are also a bit nervous to cross this thing. We felt like we were having a flashback to Iceland when we first encountered a river and sat waiting to watch someone else go through it. Within a couple minutes, another car came. Same make/model car that we had so we were feeling better that we aren’t the only ones being so adventurous. As the car passed us to go over the bridge, the girl in the passenger seat looked over with an “oh shit” face. Which completely validated our feelings. But her partner driving the car boldly took the bridge... which gave us the courage to do the same.
Quickly we came to a second bridge that was similar but maybe even a touch more sketchy.
The other car stopped right after they crossed the bridge and the driver got out. We patiently watched to see what was happening. Ok, maybe we weren’t so patient as we got out and took a peak. We were at a dead end. There was a man that must of lived there that they talked to and told us we were on the wrong road (clearly) and which way to go.
They were trying to maneuver and we were trying to turn around as well. We both got stuck... them in the mud and is on a big ass rock. We went to help push them out and then they came to help us get our car off the big rock. We we’re beyond thankful that this couple was also lost on the same path... both because we were there to help each other and oddly, it made us feel relieved that we weren’t the only ones on the wrong path.
So, remember the commercialized place I mentioned?
Yep, that’s where we were supposed to be!!
Damn GPS and small signs that weren’t obvious.
But, we made it and with a story to tell so all is good!
We hiked about 3 hours on a crazy trail of rocks and tree roots and some built in steps....
There were 5 key stops on the hike...
Before arriving at the first stop... this is what we encounter. Doesn’t look so bad, right? On the way down! But we also must come up this.
The first stop: Cararata De Rio Celeste (waterfall).
The water was an amazing blue!
We stopped occasionally for a photo op:
Second stop: Mirador Valley. It’s beautiful, but not much to say about a valley.
Connie’s favorite part of the hike... going up! Ask her! Haha!
Third stop: Laguna Azule (blue lagoon). It was a beautiful water well with more amazing blue water.
Forth Stop: Borbollones. The water was boiling.
Although there were signs to not enter/no swimming, Connie still crossed over the fence to feel for herself how hot it was. Definitely warm!
Stop 5: Tenidero which is where 2 (not colored) rivers merge together. The Ph change created the super blue water and the sediment line. So cool. This was our favorite stop!!
And then we made it to the end... so we stopped to get the photo proving we survived.
On the way back to our Airbnb for the night, we took the recommendation of our hosts to have dinner at Brisas. I got a Thai Chicken and rice meal and Connie got a regular chicken and rice. It was a great recommendation.
Oh... and we had Ceviche for the second time. I had never had it, but Connie introduced me and I think I am a fan!
Back at our place, we went to the common area in hopes to run into Bev, the host. We were looking for help to call the rental car company as we are worried about the car making it the rest of the trip. While waiting I had a blueberry beer that was delicious. They have an on your honor system. $2.50 per beer. Fun perk to where we were staying.
When we were hoping to meet with Bev, we instead met Jordan, her nephew. He shared with us some of his travels and also told us what the noise we were hearing was. I thought it was some exotic animal or monkey... although it sounded almost like a cow.
This is what we found out it was:
A big ass frog!! Ha! So much for my exotic animal!
Then it was back to our room to plan for next day!
