Sun., 1/12 - Day 6

Today was an adrenaline-filled morning, followed by a totally relaxing afternoon.  We started out with breakfast at our hotel, which was very delicious.  Their fresh fruits and fresh-squeezed mango juice is pretty unbelievable.

After breakfast we headed to Sky Trek to go zip-lining.  We rode the tram up to the starting point and then took eight different zip lines down the mountain.  The longest zip line was over half a mile long, and most of the zip lines overlook Lake Arenal, which is a beautiful view!  It rained off and on while we were zip lining, which is just the typical weather here.  I was sure glad I wore my rain gear!

Taking the tram to the top of the Sky Trek zip line 

Me with Jonathan, our driver

The view from our trip overlooking Lake Arenal

Our group at the top zip line platform, with Lake Arenal in the background.

Here we go!

After zip-lining we drove to the town of La Fortuna and ate lunch at the Lava Lounge.  Then we were able to do some souvenir shopping.  While we were eating the clouds started to clear around the volcano Arenal, and we were able to get some decent pictures of the top of the volcano.

The small dark line is part of the top of the volcano - it looked way better in person. :)

After shopping we headed to los "eco-termales", which are the thermal hot springs.  What a wonderful way to spend the afternoon!  There are a series of pools which are all connected, and they're all different temperatures.  You can go from the hot pool and gradually get a little cooler, until you're in the coldest pool, which is basically like a normal swimming pool.  The atmosphere is pretty amazing - very tropical with lush, green rainforest surrounding us.

Along the path from the locker rooms to the hot springs there was a huge group of leaf-cutter ants working.  Here they are going down into their holes.

Most of us started out in the hottest part of the hot springs - it's like a 5-foot-deep hot tub.  In places you can feel the hot water bubbling up under your feet.

Eventually we worked our way into the coldest pool.  ¡Qué refrescante!

Austin, Ashley, our guide, Rocío, and Travis relaxing in the warmest pool.

One of the small hot tubs is connected to a lower hot tub by a series of small waterfalls.  ¡Qué lindas son! :)

Chillin' in one of the warm pools

Our whole group on the water fall.  We need to get some hot springs in Spirit Lake!

Jonathan, our driver, trying to get a coatimundi to stand on its hind legs for us.  He did it several times, I just have bad timing getting it on my camera. :)

This is about as close as I want to get to a coatimundi - they can get angry if they realize you don't have food!

We just got done enjoying another great meal at the Arenal Observatory Lodge restaurant.  We had some good laughs at supper, which was a lot of fun.  Then we met to talk about plans for tomorrow.  We're going to leave early in the morning so we can get to the Manuel Antonio area early enough to spend some time at the beach tomorrow afternoon / evening.  We're heading to the Pacific side of Costa Rica, which is always sunny and tropical.  Time to start lathering on the sun screen!

Hasta mañana, y ¡Pura vida!