Costa Rica: Our Trip to Find Pura Vida, part 2

When we arrived at RIU Guanacaste, we instantly got into our swim suits and headed to the beach. It was so beautiful there! The sand was a very dark brown and there were some big rocks. The view was just incredible, as well. After that, we went to the pool for a bit and tried out the swim-up bar. Later, we ate dinner (a TON of food on the buffet) and relaxed outside. The weather could not have been better. It is in the 90's during the day and the 70's at night, but there was always a breeze.

Thursday was a relax day. Unfortunately, Matt got some sort of stomach bug/food poisoning. This happened right after breakfast and he spent the rest of the day in bed. I spent my day reading at the pool and in the lobby area as well as checking on him. I felt so bad that he couldn't enjoy the day!  But, it was good that we didn't have anything planned.

Friday was one of the best days on our trip. I woke early to see about canceling our jungle tour, but it couldn't be done. We would just have to not show up. Ten minutes before we were supposed to be in the lobby, Matt decided he was going to go on the trip. I was pretty apprehensive about that, but he wanted to give it a try. We rode for about 2 hours away from the coast towards the mountains and jungle. The goal of the trip was to hike to the beautiful Rio Celeste. When we got to the road to go to the waterfall, there was a sign that it was closed! It had rained so much the night before that the trails were too muddy and the water was no longer blue, but brown. We were of course disappointed.

Our tour guide was great. He drove us a little farther to another side of the volcano. We walked through the cloud forest and went on several suspension bridges. Turns out, Matt is scared of them! I thought they were really fun though! We had an authentic lunch afterwards where I ate plantains and their unpasteurized cheese, free-range chicken, and a local vegetable that is somewhat like cucumbers, rice and black beans. It was some of the best food I ate the whole time we were in CR! Matt got some chicken soup and rice that he is still raving about.

That day we also saw a lot of monkeys in trees and some neat poisonous frogs that were only about an inch big! They were red with blue legs.

Saturday I woke early and went to the beach and pool again. We were not getting picked up for the airport until 10:30, so I had a lot of time to relax before we left. We said our goodbyes to the beautiful land. I really enjoyed my time in Costa Rica, and I know that Matt did as well. I can't wait to get traveling again.

Pura Vida means "Pure Life" which is kind of like the slogan or saying in the country. I left Costa Rica feeling refreshed and really wanting to simplify my life. I know that is something most people want. I am having a hard go at it this week, but I have not forgotten my desire and my hope that I will one day be able to have a more pure life, whatever I find that to mean for me.