In the beginning, part 2

In the Fall of 2006 Jim and Dick began planning their Costa Rican adventure. Mike referred Jim to Charlie and soon an evening conference call was made, with maps, experiences to be enjoyed, etc. Jim went off and found the optional air travel arrangements; decided upon day 1 lodging, and booked a rental car.

Soon after Jim found a fellow with a B&B in San Jose, Costa Rica. Ric helped with further plans, but warned the normally adventurous Jim off from renting a car - suggesting Interbus or Nature Air for travel in country, and otherwise using cabs. Sadly, Jim cancelled the rental car and by mid February our trip began. As we left we told each other "we are NOT buying any property while we're there".

We decided the beginning half of the trip would be spent in Northern Costa Rica by the Arenal Volcano. Please understand that February is DRY season. So after spending the first night at Ric's B&B; we proceeded to Arenal by Interbus. We had lovely weather, and got to enjoy the awesome scenery on the six hour drive up to the volcano. We arrived at our resort, just seeing clouds at the top of the volcano, and looking forward to a great time there.

The next morning was overcast, but warm. We decided to hike up the foothills to a great view of the volcano. The more we walked, the heavier the overcast became. We arrived at the lookout, after hiking what was easily two kilometers up and probably more uphill. A light drizzle started, but we nonetheless enjoyed what we could see and hear of Arenal. The sounds were incredible, but alas, we could not see the top. It was the first time for both of us where we stood next to an active volcano. Indeed, had there been a major eruption at that point, likely this blog would not exist. After a rest, we hiked back down, with the drizzle becoming a light rain.

By the time we got to our cabin, the rain was heavier; and soon became a full fledged downpour! Thus began our Arenal experience. We sat out one day waiting for the steady intense rain to stop. It did not stop. Jim read a book, Dick "enjoyed" Spanish language TV. On the afternoon of the second day we decided to take the "hanging bridges rain forest tour". Our guide was wonderful and the rainforest was beautiful, albeit rainy.

The rain continued. The next day, we decided we would go ahead and take a rafting safari. We were the only ones - the remaining tourist all stayed inside, out of the rain. The river had raised about 4 meters in the prior day of rain, making for a more, um, rapid trip. Nonetheless, we had a wonderful trip enjoying some great Tico hospitality. We were blessed!

The following day it was time to leave. As we took our cab to the airport, the sun emerged into a lovely, dry-season, Costa Rican morning. We found the local La Fortuna airport, um, rustic. Clearly had been a cattle gathering place, converted to a sort of airport with grass strip. The colorful high winged Nature Air plane landed, took us first to San Jose for us to catch another plane for the second part of our adventure!

To be continued....