What a delightful week, full of good family time, lots of fun within the community and with good friends. Our week started with a four-hour bus ride into San Jose where, after a quick doctor's visit, we rented a car and headed toward Volcan Poas. The boys were great on the bus-ride and enjoyed their 'big-boy' status sitting alone in the back seat of the rental Jeep. They managed to keep their seat-belts fastened and loved the 'off-roading'! We spent about 90 minutes with Thrifty Car Rental in the city; but finally were on our way. The drive to Poas was beautiful, through rolling hills and spectacular views. We arrived late afternoon, after stopping at a road-side stand to purchase some fresh strawberries and plums...YUMMY! Our hotel "Jaulares' was about 15 KM outside of the Park in a town called Frijanes. We checked in and then headed to a local park so the boys could blow off some steam. The park offered hiking and lots of children's activities. Michael and John enjoyed the trampoline, but our time was cut short by a down-pour. The hotel was very simple, our cabin was very rustic but was just perfect for us. There was a little stream running right behind the cabin which lulled us to sleep.
Tuesday morning we headed out early to the volcano as it is recommended to arrive early before the cloud cover descends. We awoke to wind and cool temps and as we pulled into the parking lot, we were about the fourth car (as some folks were turning around at the entrance gate after hearing of the weather conditions). There was no sun to be seen, as the path up to the volcano was misty and cloud-filled. We arrived at the look-out and waited in anticipation for a glimpse of the crater. The crowd roared as the clouds parted and exposed the crater below. It was spectaular and one can only imagine it on a clear day. We hiked another mile on a "magical trail" tightly enveloped by impenetrable moss covered twisted trees to a lagoon which was also misty and covered by clouds, but got a few pics nonetheless. We chatted with a guide (TJ) and a teacher/kids from a Waldorf school in Portland. We then piled back into the Jeep in search of the Paz "Peace" Waterfall. The drive was breath-taking - we were met with a large sign "Road Closed" due to mud-slides and earth quakes and debated whether we should risk it. As we sat there debating, car in neutral, another truck passed us by, waving their hands "come-on...no worries". A little further down the road we were amazed by the debris and the destruction. Mike "the OSHA Guy", got out and surveyed the situation. After talking with a few folks, we decided to park the Jeep and walk down around the corner to view the Waterfall. It was spectacular! Shortly after, several Police arrived on motos, Mike asked about the road and whether it was safe to continue...their response "Well, it is 'technically' closed, but hey, you have a Suzuki, 4-wheel, you'll be just fine". So with that, we ventured on. Clearly, the roughest terrain we've ever been on; over rivers, through mud-slides; with condemned houses sitting right to the side; broken and rotting from recent devastation. The ride was awesome, but erie as we thought about the people who were affected by the landslides. The kids bounced around the backseat - who needs a roller-coaster? I thought to myself. Crossing over another bridge opened up a rocky river stream; we decided to park the Jeep and get cooled off. The kids stripped down and frolicked in the river-very relaxing and good for the boys to get out of the car and burn off some energy. We headed back to the hotel and decided to stop off at the local park again. This time we hiked a trail, and the kids enjoyed the playground. We would love to go back and camp there on another visit - they had great pavilions with places to pitch a tent.
Wednesday; we had to think about heading back toward San Jose to return the rental car and catch the 2:30 bus back up the mountain. We headed back via Volcan Barva; another volcano up in the Sacramento area within the Parque Nacional Braulio Carrillo. The drive up was amazing (an hour up, through beautiful country, villas and estates on either side of the road). Clearly some money in this area; as each estate had a spectacular view of the San Jose valley. The road was another bumpy experience, so we were glad to reach the ranger house when we did. We only had an hour before we had to head back to the city, but we enjoyed a short hike through the forest, but did not reach the vista point to view the volcano...perhaps next time. A quick pit stop in the out-house for Mom and I was greeted by a Salamander hanging out in the corner of the women's bathroom. The boys quickly piled in to view the creature. As we weaved through the small towns, we were greeted by two happy jugglers in Heredia who entertained us at a red light - we tossed them some change and could not help but think of Sam & Jules (who could have put these guys to shame :)
We reached the bus station in San Jose with little time to spare; crowds everywhere, it was chaotic (I'd never seen the station so packed, perhaps due to the holiday week). I glanced up and saw our neighbors, Kelly and Lane who live just down the road in cabinas close to Bromelias. They were distraught as they needed to get on the bus but the driver had said it was standing room only and they had reached their capacity (10 people only standing in the aisle). The bus driver then looked at us and said that we could lap-sit both boys, thus freeing up two seats for our friends. It was a quick decision and Kelly and Lane were very grateful. The bus was two hours late getting into Santa Elena due to traffic, slow-going and another 15 people we picked up shortly after leaving the station. ...guess that kind of shoots the (10 person standing limitation???) but who am I to argue. Now the bus not only had ten folks standing, but also another 10 to 15 people sitting in the aisles (talk about too close for comfort). We were glad to arrive safely and welcomed the chance to sleep in our own beds that night, but what a great couple of days.
Thursday, another busy day, we headed to San Luis for some river fun. We have a friend Patrick (who is a NY transplant of many years) who has invited us several times to come down to his neck of the woods. We were on a roll, so we thought, "no time like the present". We enjoyed a day of sun and water. There were several folks down at the river, so it made for a relaxing time. The boys loved it and had fun painting themselves with the variety of clay-rock they found at the bottom of the river.
Friday, a bunch of families from school met in Las Juntas and shared a great day, again 'water' was the focus. There is a hotel about an 1 hour away which has several thermal pools - you can swim or relax pool side in the shade. Another fun-filled day - the boys were toast by the time we arrived back home around 8 p.m.
Saturday Mike enjoyed some time outdoors as he joined a fellow who examines trees for their flowering and fruiting to assist with a study on the three-wattled bell-bird! How many of you remember me writing about the 'stick-bird' sighting in Manuel Antonio in February? We were skeptical as to whether it was 'real' or not...Mike spotted the famous 'potoo' on his outing...check out the pic! I spent the morning constructing a balance beam in the front yard with the kids; putting some old stumps and boards from a long-gone tree house to good use. Daisy got a bath with the hose and I attended a meeting later in the day to continue organizing the first annual Pet Festival with friend Veronica. We hosted a campfire at our house that night and enjoyed getting to know another family from Philadelphia area better. Another late night, but oh so fun!
Today, after a brief Easter egg hunt out in the yard (yogurt and butter containers recycled into Easter baskets), we spent 8 hours again in San Luis, but this time we hiked up to the waterfall. We enjoyed our day with Veronica and Stuart; the boys lapped up water from the stream...probably cleaner than what we drink here in Monteverde. It was awesome, the sky was blue, not a cloud to be seen, the walk was stunning and the waterfall so impressive. We had fun swimming and examining the crabs in the water; although the pinchers got both Veronica and Stuart on the finger...OUCH! We arrived back at the reception area around 5 p.m. tonight only to meet a family from Livonia (near Avon, NY, where my mom grew up and I spent many a summer). I mentioned several names and they knew the Anderson Farm. We exchanged names, and come to find out I was talking with Tom Wahl (sp) the son of the owner of the Ice Cream joint on the main drag in Avon. His wife, Kathy, works now at the Avon School, I think as a librarian - small world!
We arrived home after 6 p.m. tonight and are eager to head back to school for some R & R. Vacationing is hard work :)
Did I mention the little bird that we rescued from inside the house this week as well? Never a dull moment.
Happy Easter to All.
Peace,
Signed: S
