rica road trip

Following the horseback trip through the central highlands, I met up with friends to tour some of the Pacific side's more tourist-y towns. First stop was Tamarindo, a total gringo (white) surfer town where we dodged potholes, ate sushi & enjoyed our first surf sesh. We decided the best way to move on to our next destination would be to rent a car. We rented a small crossover & drove southeast to Montezuma, a total hippie town, & then Mal Pais where we met some great Aussies & stayed longer than planned. I am so glad we roadtripped...yet another thing that made our trip that much more special. It is also really fun to drive a decent off-road vehicle through small rivers & over bumps & potholes. :)

 

all my own photography - other than the ones of me (Justin)

trekking

After the volunteer work, I went on an 8-day trek in the central highlands - on horseback. I got to see animals & views & landscapes I never would have seen had I not been on a horse. The guide, Marvin, only spoke Spanish, so we practiced conversations (more like he quizzed me constantly!) & he let me ride his most beautiful stallion, Gladiador. In between rides we went ziplining in the cloud forest, explored local towns & then spent the last night in the hot springs under the main (active) volcano, Arenal.

my first horse, Tuliana

sisters - Tuliana & Sintella

my favorite horse

putting Gladiador through his paces

Marvin can do all sorts of tricks...he is an amazing rider

lunch breaks were always near a waterfall or creek

we were invited to dinner by some strangers - Ticos are really the friendliest people.

city slickers?

More after the jump!