Swinging from the Trees in Monteverde

It's getting to the point when we're forgetting what day of the week it is. I don't mind that.

There are a few options for transporting to Monteverde from La Fortuna, namely the bus, which this time would take 9 hours (yes, you read that right...arghh, the towns are SO close on the map), or jeep-boat-jeep, which would take 2 1/2 - 3 hours. Hmmm, choices, choices...

After our "Tourismu" taxi took us and four other people to Lake Arenal, we joined a larger group on a lake boat *think barge w/ canopy* for the 30 minute or so ride across. Being the wet season, rain is a daily occurrence, though it usually is warm and doesn't last long. I'm starting to check my watch by it, actually. It rained a bit during the rides, but the periodic views of clouds caressing the mountains and green terrain was reminiscent of Ireland, which just has a wet season. :) Beautiful.

The taxi ride after the lake let Becca and me get to know the Canadien, German, and American co-travelers a bit more. We actually saw a few of them some more during our stay in Monteverde. It's fun to be so far away from home yet still feel like you know people here. Friends are good whether here or [insert name of wherever you are right now].

We initially planned to jump right into the adventure that this area has to offer (rainforest hikes in day and night, rafting, rainforest canopy tours + zip line rides... you know, the usual). However, after consuming many cubic liters of exhaust from the taxi in front of us en route to our stop, we took the first day off to recover from the nausea. Sleep we needed and sleep we did.
The second day breathed adventure back into our lungs, and off we were to the canopy. We took 15 zip lines throughout the Salvetura canopies in Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve. Many of the lines were over 1,000 feet long and 300 feet above the ground (or 25+ feet above many of the trees). I love flying!

We even did a Tarzan Swing!

That was the best part of the trip, and yes, the initial, very vertical drop was the scariest part of the Swing. I'm still pondering if Bec's ride would have been a Jane Swing...

I had a guide take me on one of the lines so I could video tape the ride - I'm not sure if Blogger lets me vcast yet, but I'll work on that and get back to you. Until then, enjoy the pics...