Ah, Costa Rica! Today we arrived in Puntarenas and a planned river rafting tour. It was a very early start but even earlier as we missed the note to turn our clocks back! Ugh. But better than the other way, which we have done then raced to meet the tour on time. Good thing we always give us lots of time in the morning. Any way….
A two-hour bus ride into the interior was not too uncomfortable in the air conditioned bus with a toilet. The guide pointed out things along the way and we even stopped to pick up Litchi nuts fresh off the tree. (Our guide called them something else.) The funny looking outside with bristles gives way to a soft inner fruit with a hard nut inside that. We ate the fruit and it was sweet and tasty. The nut must be roasted so we tossed that part.
First stop was the restaurant for a potty and to change and apply sunscreen. Then on to the launch site for the two-hour float down the river on a 8 man raft. The current was swift in some places going over rocks with a tiny bit of white water but we were instructed in paddling. Forward, backward, stop, and raise the paddles so we could help maneuver the raft over some spots. DUCK was good to know as well. We quickly understood why we also wore helmets!!
Along the way we spotted monkeys, a small boa, various birds and the highlight, a crocodile! Mostly it was vegetation and the water we saw.
It was a much nicer day than predicted (100 % rain) so we were happy about that but as the sun beat down it proved to be very hot. The life jacket kept the heat in and soon we were sweaty and hot everywhere. I looked for the end at every bend in the river!! Such an outdoorsman I am!!
At the end we were driven back to the restaurant thirsty and hot. We had chosen not to lug water thinking they would surely provide some. This proved to be a big mistake. George downed two glasses of the lemonade immediately then switched to the local beer for lunch. That was surprisingly tasty for a simple plate of plain rice, vegetables, and a chicken fillet. A small piece of plantain was good along with the other. Many put hot sauce on the dishes as well. Tomato soup which tasted faintly like enchilada sauce started the meal and it ended with ice cream (a surprise).
The bus ride back to the ship was grueling!! Two hours turned into 4 because of an accident on the two lane road. When we finally inched up to see it, after 3.5 hours at least, it was a motorcycle laying on it's side leaking fluids with a couple leaning against a car texting. No police in sight. They had blocked traffic like this for hours. Unbelievable.
Back aboard finally we raced to shower. I had mud on my legs and badly needed one. Thank goodness for room service as we enjoyed food and beverage in our pjs and finished a movie we started earlier. Bed felt great!
Princess has the best beds and bedding. You can actually order it all to have sat home. Between that and the slight rocking at night I sleep sooooo well!!
That's a lot packed into one day.
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