Hanging Bridges hike

Sunday

We went to the reception area to use WiFi and Nick tried to get on his Facebook page. Since he signed in from a “public” computer in the lobby, he was quizzed (by facebook) about whether he was really who he said he was. They gave him pictures of some of his friends, and he had to put names to the pictures—something an imposter might have trouble doing. He had several of these “tests” before the rulers of facebook finally let him on his page.

We were surprised today when the maid had finished with the room, that she (or someone) left a flower arrangement of bird of paradise and ginger flowers. Absolutely breathtaking—and the arrangement had NO water in it.

We have learned that these flowers absorb their water from the air. This is why they don’t do well in Texas, air not wet enough.

We had the morning to relax, so we walked around and enjoyed the garden like surroundings.






We drove on the bus to the town of Fortuna for lunch and shopping. Got NT and BT each a little something. We had lunch at the Gecko Gourmet


and ice cream at a little place where the ice cream was so hard the young lady working there couldn’t scoop what I wanted. I had to change flavors.

After the trip to town we picked up other folks at the hotel and headed to the Hanging Bridges tour. Our guide, Jose, had continuously mentioned that this was a difficult walk and those who didn’t feel up to it should stay at the hotel. Several did. HE WAS RIGHT! N and I are in fairly decent shape, exercising almost every day when we are home, and it was hard on us. Some of the folks had an even harder time than we did. It was almost 2 miles and some of the trail had a more than 30 degree incline. The entire path was paved with a waffle looking cinder block having 4-inch square openings that made footing precarious. There were six hanging suspension bridges, which shook and wiggled and were really high above the trees. I think this should be an optional activity for this tour rather than a part of the Collette package for everyone and the difficulty should be stressed. The description in our travel booklet makes NO mention of the strenuous effort needed to complete this activity. The fact that we were walking into a rain forest was very interesting, but we saw almost no wildlife.

Immediately from the Hanging bridges trek, we were taken to our second optional activity. We had signed up for the Hot Springs visit before we knew that the pool at our hotel was fed by a hot spring. I think the difference between the hotel pool and the place where we were taken (Ecotermales) was the setting and the ambiance. It was like a large public swimming pool with 4 different pools with water of 4 different temperatures. From warm to HOT. And there was a waterfall that felt like it was directly out of the Arenal volcano. It was a great way to unwind from the long trek and the setting was lovely. The pool was surrounded with jungle vegetation and there was an “honor” bar. Order all the drinks you want and pay when you leave. We spent a relaxing hour and a half there, then dressed and waited with the others in the tour for the bus to pick us up for supper. So ends day 7 of our adventure.