Rearview Mirror: WELCOME TO THE JUNGLE!!

COSTA RICA, PART 1

My son and I got to spend two fun filled weeks in Costa Rica this summer. I thought it would give us both a chance to practice our Spanish, have fun, and, of course, form a close bond like all moms and teenage sons have. Hahahahaha.

Are you laughing too?

We took an overnight flight from LA which is always a barrel of fun. I paid extra for “Comfort Seats” but, honestly, where was the comfort??? If there was any extra space, it was maybe 1/8”. Wow, what a difference! Needless to say, we arrived cranky and sleep deprived.

Our first stop was the Chachagua Rain Forest, a mere 3 hours from the airport over narrow, bumpy, winding roads. We weren't feeling too swell when we arrived. It was worth it, though. What a beautiful place!

Serene ponds

Soothing waterfalls

The lobby is open air – just a deck with a roof, no walls, like Hawaii! Everyone here was very relaxed and friendly. Our villa had a large deck with a sofa, coffee table, rocking chair, a little counter-top with bar stools, and a hammock. This place is in an isolated area of the rain forest, which meant I was kicking myself for not bringing provisions (you know, wine and/or vodka, the essential vacation items), since there were no nearby stores.

What? No happy hour??

We were both feeling exhausted and out of sorts, so we tried to nap for a while.

It's MY hammock

We read books, did puzzles, fought over whose turn it was to use the hammock. The sun came out in the afternoon and we set off on the waterfall trail which runs along a river and is lush and tropical.

My expert map reader keeps us from getting lost

Admiring a pretty red flower. Keep reading to find out why this could have been dangerous

Can you hear the water rushing down?

I was blissfully unaware they found a Boa Constrictor here the week before

We discovered bits of leaves marching along the forest floor

Can you see the line of tiny leaves? They are being toted by a parade of Leafcutter ants!

and crossed the river on a makeshift bridge.

Show off

Kyle waltzed across easily, but I crawled on all fours, not trusting my balance on the narrow, slippery board and hoping there were no creepy crawlies underneath where my fingers were gripping. I also hoped nobody was watching me.


Yes, there really are Tarzan vines in the jungle!

This resort has a garden where they grow fruit and vegetables, and they also have goats, pigs and a horse stable. There's an old cheese factory where they used to make goat cheese. Bacteria from the pigs is used for fuel. It's all very clean and Eco friendly here.

El Jardin

I'm a little Feta!

Horse barn, arena and watch tower

We were about to discover that it rains here every single afternoon, and when I say rain, I don’t mean little Southern California sprinkles, NO NO! I mean heavy duty intense thunder and lightening storms with downpours lasting at least two hours! It’s the real deal. Our covered deck gave us the opportunity to sit outside for the thunder/lightening/rain show, which took the place of the TV we didn’t have.

Better than a TV screen

There’s always something going on in the jungle, though. When it wasn’t raining, we looked for tropical birds (we saw a Toucan). The sound of cicadas high up in the trees was ever present and amazingly loud. (Sometimes I think I can still hear them buzzing.)

The open air restaurant was lovely and the food was fabulous. The rain and the sounds of the jungle made it seem like we were eating at Disneyland’s Rain Forest Café (without the wierd gorillas).

Our maid showed her artistic flair!

The next day, we went on a 2 hour horseback ride and our horses were gaited which I was real excited about.

This is fun!

Kyle was real excited too. Can you tell?

Then we went on a nature hike with Christian, who was so knowledgeable and made me feel like an idiot for the casual way we had traipsed along the same trails the day before. He pointed things out to us that we hadn’t even noticed.

Look closely and say hello to my leeetle friend! Yes, you say hello while I run away screaming.

A rather large Golden Orb spider hung suspended in its web between two trees which I probably would have walked right into without Christian. He pointed out her many features while I tried to control the goose bumps sprouting on my arms. He said this spider was poisonous but not as much as the one by my arm. (!WHAT?!?!?!) Yes, there was a small tarantula on the tree RIGHT NEXT TO ME. It was a grayish color so it blended into the bark. This is a very poisonous spider.

Then he pointed to a pretty, innocent white flower at the base of the tree.

Can't touch this!
Just a sweet, innocent little flower? NOT!

He said in the jungle,some of the most beautiful things are the deadliest. If I were to pick that flower and sniff it, I could DIE. (!?!) It contains a resin that causes muscle paralysis and eventual anaphylactic shock or heart attack. Good to know. In fact, good to know YESTERDAY when we were lollygagging our way through this treacherous place. He said tourists come to the jungle and think it’s Disneyland and nothing bad will happen, but it’s the JUNGLE, and bad things do happen! He cautioned us never, ever, ever to walk in the jungle when it is raining because things fall down from the canopy, hit you on your head and you die. "Welcome to the jungle, my friend!"
Christian is so knowledgeable and passionate about everything in the forest and in his country. Every single thing in the jungle has a purpose, and Costa Ricans have used what they've learned here to keep their country Eco friendly. I told him his tour should be required for anyone visiting that area!