6/22/2011
Twelve rising juniors, seven rising sophomores and six rising freshmen arrived in Moin, in Limon province, at the Paradero Eco-Tour animal rescue center. For two days they learned about saving sea turtle eggs from poachers on the beach, helped rescue an injured green sea turtle, and fed and interacted with many rescued animals, including spider and capuchin monkeys, parrots, a deer, a grison (cousin to ferrets), sloths, orhpaned baby armadillos, and a baby olingo (raccoon family). It was a down and dirty hands-on service learning experience they will never forget.
Next stop was La Fortuna in San Carlos, where Arenal Volcano dominates the skyline. A hike to La Fortuna waterfall offered an exhilirating swim in the river and under the 200 foot high blue water falls. Machaca fish, cousins to the piranha, did not bite. San Carlos offered fun shopping for local crafts, delicious food, and practice with Spanish. An evening visit to Baldi Hot Springs at the base of the volcano rounded out a fun day, which happened to be the sweet 16 of one of our travelers! Dinner at the hotel included a birthday cake and decorated dining room in her honor.
Crossing the continental divide was necessary to reach the Pacific coast and the group's final destination, Samara Beach. A small surf town, it offered more good shopping and a curious collection of Italian eateries. The beach below the Guanamar Hotel's cabanas was rocky but beautiful, and the pool and typical "tico" food were just right. Group pictures the last evening and the final morning rounded out a wonderful trip for everyone.
Be sure to ask the travelers about some other amazing and entertaining details, including our very own emergency physician, a swarm of iguanas, prickly pear ice cream, sugar cane pressing, a lethal species of snake, the brothers Wing Nut, howlers, Toby, the red pickup truck, a very mean dog, tire problems, harvesting yuca, war paint, towel animals, bedroom crabs and toads, all things German, coconuts, poachers, and henna tattoos. PQV!!