It has been just about a week since we flew south out of Costa Rica to Buenos Aires. Truly, we were looking forward to leaving the 96% humidity so our stinky clothes and bags might have a chance to dry, but it is easy to say we miss the laid back lifestyle & the delicious casados. While I am hanging back at the hostel in Mendoza fighting a cold (wishing for that humididty), I thought it might be nice to recap our last week in Costa Rica. We arrived in Mendoza yesterday after five busy days in Buenos Aires and we will share a Buenos Aires post soon!!

Monteverde with the Reeds

After a few sunny days on the beach in Sámara, we drove three hours northeast through some seriosuly steep and narrow roads; we’re lucky to have hired a private driver (really, it was just Devin). After dropping our stuff at the BnB, we headed off to do a coffee, cacoa, and sugar cane tour with our guide José, just as passionate about coffee as Leslie. It was fascinating to learn the intricate process of producing coffee and chocolate alike. An interesting fact…mosquitos are one of the only pollinators of cacoa fruit. Would you be willing to give up chocolate for no mosquitos??

We had a chance to try the raw coffee cherries, which were surprisingly sweet, and the cacoa fruit, which was both tart and sweet (similar to a mango or pineapple flavor). We sampled many different roasts of coffee at the end of the tour, my favorite being a honey processed bean, a specialty of Costa Rica, that was really smooth and not too bitter. For the chocolate tasting, we had a treat called chocoal, a paste formed from cacoa nibs, hot water, cinammon, cayenne pepper, vanilla and raw sugar; highly reccomend, easy to make at home!!

To conclude our first day in Monteverde, we explored the jungle at night hoping to see maybe some sloths or monkeys. Instead…

The highlight of our quick trip in Monteverde was ziplining! I didn’t think we would enjoy it as much as we did; I thought it might be a cheesy, tourist trap activity but it was exhilirating and cool to fly through the jungle (ok, cliche but really). Leslie thought it would be terrifying, but quickly grew to love it (this will be you, Kari!). I don’t think Dave had any hesitation, and you will see from the pictures the pure, child like joy this activity can provide. A Thanksgiving like no other!

Que genial, what a way to start off this unimaginable journey. Thank you Mom & Dad for such a special trip, it was tough to say goodbye.

La Fortuna

We set off to La Fortuna from Monteverde via a van, 45 minute boat ride across Arenal Lake, and then another van. Arriving to the east end of the lake, we were greeted with a sneaky view of Volcan Arenal, the only such we saw during our time in La Fortuna. I will just share some pictures of our trip to La Fortuna.

Ciao

~ Rachael