We arrived here from Monteverde after a very bumpy journey- on horseback! Eighteen beautiful horses awaited our group as we voyaged from Monteverde to a small town called Rio Chiquito. From there we trotted our way around Lake Arenal where a boat was waiting to take us across. We enjoyed fresh fruits and cold water on shore of the lake as we nursed our aching bottoms back to health. We have a newfound respect for cowboys and jockeys! When we arrived at the Lodge, we immediately dove into the pool to cool ourselves off, then we rested ourselves in the pleasant warmth of the jacuzzi.
Our activities here have been varied and fun... one night we went to the Baldi hotsprings, where we meandered between twenty natural hot springs of varying temperatures. We watched red lava flow down the face of the Arenal Volcano as we dined in our hotel's amazing restaurant. We took a day trip to Rio Celeste, where we hiked into the forest and took in the gorgeous view of mineral-filled aquamarine waterfalls. We couldn't resist dunking in for a few minutes before heading back!
Yesterday was a work day; each photographer finished up his or her On-Assignment project as the Wildlife and Conservation Group assembled its powerpoint presentation on Ecotourism and Costa Rica's economy. The group assembled after dinner to share their projects, and celebrated the amazing work and learning that has happened during these three short weeks. It is so impressive to see what our students have learned and accomplished!
This morning we are packing up and saying goodbye to our final destination. We head onto the windy, bumpy roads that will lead us back to San Jose, where our adventure began. As we journey back to the beginning, we reflect upon ourselves and the changes we have experienced. We may arrive back to a place we know and love, but we are arriving as different people. Each one of us has left a piece of ourselves here in Costa Rica, and will take back with us the spirit of adventure, learning, and friendship that is National Geographic Student Expeditions.
¡Pura Vida!
Liz and Michael
