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The ups and downs of travel

We went whitewater rafting today on the River Picuare. We had to get up early for a 6am pickup. After a two hour bus ride we had a hearty breakfast at the base then we rode in a van up into the mountain so we could raft down. There are not words for how awesome this day was. We basically went between a mountain and a volcano. Both covered with dense jungle vegetation. There were about 40 rapids and gorgeous deep canyons and a lightly cloudy sky so we didn't fry in the sun. Our guide (who looked like a Costa Rican Adam Sandler) was so great. We could not have asked for a better experience. One of those "it is awesome to be alive" days.

No pictures though. Our camera is not waterproof.

Right now we are relaxed and tired and on a 3 hour mini-bus (with the tour company we rafted with) ride to Volcan Arenal with people from Japan, Canada, Austria, and our Costa Rican bus driver. I'm listening to some Javier Mendoza and loving the travel life.

Cora asleep after a long day of rafting


Four hours later...
Ha! When we travel we know that there will always be a bad part of everyday. Usually its just an hour or so and that helps us get through the rough spots. Today I thought it was when our van driver got into a road rage incident and they all pulled off the road and a police officer nearby cocked his gun, meanwhile the woman sitting behind me kept yelling "Are you serious!" or it was the fact that we were on an insanely narrow busy road and our driver kept passing other cars within inches. (yes, it was our driver that started the road rage issue); but no, it was the terrible hotel we got dropped at, paid for, unpacked and then realized that it was absolutely not going to work for us. We were so tired from the rafting but had to pack up, negotiate one nights money back, and hunt for a new hotel. Lucky for us the third place we went to was good, has a really nice garden and common area, a kitchen, and a hot shower. We are much happier here. The travel life is  good again.

The balcony at our new hotel

The courtyard

Thursday morning:
We might be starting to crack...we had a stressful morning and everyone is sick of each other. I lost the ATM card. I think I left it in the machine in  Puerto Viejo. No one has used it, but we are going to cancel it. We have to get out enough cash for a while first becuase we have to cancel both cards. Good lesson here. Carry two different ATM card accounts. This afternoon we are going to a hot springs resort for the rest of the day so I think our crappy part of Thursday is over.  Please let it be over.

Comments

Anonymous said…
Whoa! The scary bus driver incident would have made me crack and of course TGO would have cracked, busted and gone into orbit!
The rest sounds really good when you found the good hotel - it looks really neat. How was the chocolate tour?
Well it is sleeting/snowing/raining here and the temp is right at freezing. I just got home and the roads are terrible. So just think what you are missing!
Looks like the Big Guy is counting down the days.....Sunday is coming.
February 24, 2011 at 2:20 PM
Mr. Robert Lee Johnson said…
What I learned from this.

Travel can be challenging but rewarding and michelle likes men who look like Adam Sandler.
February 24, 2011 at 2:20 PM
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