pictures from 3-3-14

Pictures from drive to Monteverde

Lake Arenal

View across Lake Arenal (volcano in distance)

moo

Arenal Volcano

View of cloud forest

Pictures from Ranario - frog pond/habitat. These frogs were so awesome!  Our guide there was great. We showed up for the 5:45pm tour which is when the day time frogs are going to sleep but he still managed to find one of each. And it was totally dark but he was able to find all the night time frogs.  The red-eyed frog that's the symbol of Costa Rica on all the guide books is amazing!!

Cane Toad

Red-eyed tree frog

Red-eyed tree frog

Rufus-Eyed Stream Frog

Lancaster Tree Frog

Transparent Glass Frog

Drive to Monteverde

After a lovely morning in Arenal and waiting several hours for the clouds to break, we headed off on our drive around lake Arenal to Monteverde.

The drive around the lake was as scenic as promised. The views were really incredible. The lake was tinted a beautiful aqua blue color which I'm guessing may be due to the volcanic minerals in the water. At the western side of the lake the soil was a bright red hue which contrasted beautifully with the blue waters.

The drive from the lake to Monteverde however was another matter all together. The road was unpaved and potholed.  We drove super slowly because I wad nervous we'd pop a tire plus it was particularly unpleasant in the back seat. However, the views were still spectacular

We're staying at the Trapp Family Lodge which is the closest hotel to the Monteverde reserve and is nestled in the forest.  We look directly out at the cloud forest.

Next we went to the frog pond - Ranario and saw about 25 species of frogs. They were amazing!!

Here is a picture from our hotel. More pictures to follow (fell asleep before uploading last night), plus an awesome video to look forward to!

Breakfast and spa

This morning we woke up to a misty volcano. It was beautiful watching the clouds float across the volcano base.

Today we will drive along lake Arenal to Monteverde. The views are supposed to be majestic. Hopefully, the weather will cooperate. Before we leave, however, we will get the complimentary volcano mud masks at the spa :)

Horseback Riding with Alberto's Horses

Next was the highlight of the day - horseback riding with Alberto's Horses to the La Fortuna waterfall and back.  This was my first time riding horses and it was a wonderful experience.  I was a little nervous at first but the horses were very well trained and knew their way and were very easy to control.  The ride was great.  The views along the way were beautiful. The waterfall was fabulous.  Swimming in the lake in front of the waterfall was invigorating and refreshing.  It was probably 65F which isn't that cold for someone from the Northeast.  The climb back up after the waterfall was a bit annoying but not so bad (600m).  The ride back was fabulous as now I had gotten to know my horse. On the way our guide (Alberto's son) found a poisonous frog to show us - he said it was call blue jeans for its blue legs. That was super cool. This was a great tour and I highly recommend it. It was just so much fun and great for beginners.

view of my horse from my saddle

La Fortuna waterfall

poisonous frog

To end the day, we went to Titoku hot springs - a hot spring that's associated with our hotel and hence free for us.  It was just the perfect ending to the day to relax in the springs after our hiking and horseback riding.

Dinner was at Don Rufino which was good but not excellent.  They did have a watermelon smoothie that really hit the spot after the day of activities.  The gazpacho was great but the Panchetta e mele wasn't very inspiring.

towel howler monkey :)