Today we hiked the rain forest. We began the day at 6AM, departing on a “cattle car.” After an hours drive over treturous roads we arrived at Parque National Cordova. The first sight was a pair of Macaw Parrots. Later we would see two more pairs. We are told that these amazing birds mate for life.
We set out for a hike through the rainforest and to a spectacular waterfall and to a system of caves that have both archeological artifacts and a river that flows through it. There and back the hike took 3 ½ hours and was incredibly difficult.
It rained 4 times and the soil, not unlike the red clay of Georgia sucked up your hiking boots or alternatively sent you sliding down the mountain side at top velocity. We started out trying to be the only person left standing without a completely muddy backside. Once everyone had fallen at least once we change the challenge to be muddies person at the end. I have never been dirtier or sweatier in my entire life. And I wish I could go back tomorrow and do it again. After the long hike we had a picnic lunch and then were told that just 1km away was an amazing waterfall and swimming hole. We were excited but we soon learned that Costa Rican’s and people from the US have extremely different perceptions of distance. Turns out the swimming hole was a 2 ½ hour hike one way –and it was more difficult than the morning hike. Half the group gave up and turned back. I did not and I am so glad. When I jumped from the rocks into the water it was exhilarating. Oddly the hike back was only 40 minutes (it was up hill all the way, which was easier than down hill…mud slides again) . On that return hike we say Toucans, a sloth, and the deadly poison dart frog.
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