Day 9
Second day of the Starfish Quest. Today, we drove from the Pacific coast to the Caribbean. But first we rode horses to the Naucaya Falls. We woke to see the sloth lounging in the tree outside our bedroom window. It’s one of those highlights you hope for but can’t guarantee will happen. We decided to name him Einstein-eco. It just seemed to suit him.
From Jupiter House we drove, about eight minutes, to the Naucaya Falls entrance, where we began our horseback riding tour to the Falls. Then we drove down to the stables where thirty horses were saddled and waiting.
The caballero matched our riding experience with a horse, for me, rather incorrectly (or they were just messing with me). I got something-Rosa. I think the something stood for Run-for-the-Barn-Rosa. She liked to trot, canter, or gallop. Walking was not her thing. She was the one in charge and knew it.
Cali got a horse who in no hurry to get to the barn or anywhere else. Probably should have switched horses, but that wasn’t allowed. It was a beautiful trail. We went across a bridge on the way there and through a large stream on the way back. After an hour of riding we stopped at the little break pavilion and had a delicious little breakfast with great coffee.
Then we rode the rest of the way to the Falls, about another half an hour. I was riding beside a guy who is staring the same university as Madi next year, same year, same major.
There were two sets of Falls, both larger than I thought they would be. The first one you can’t swim in, but the second you can. Our guides swam to the Falls climbed up about half way. They secured a rope and then helped people climb up the falls to jump into the water. They had a great system going. They would throw a tube with a rope around it and pull you to the falls, and help you go all the way and and show you where to jump off. Many people young and not so young did it. We stayed at the Falls for over an hour, then headed back to the pavilion for lunch. Rosa ran there, of course.
The lunch was substantial, with chicken, rice, salad. After lunch we saw a few Scarlet Macaws. The guide also pointed out a poisonous red frog. On the way home Rosa just wanted to gallop to the barn, so she did. The guide had to hold her and another horse back. But we galloped through any type of mud, water, and cantered up hills. I just came to
expect it and held on.
Then at the stream Rosa lost her footing a bit and the water was halfway up her body. I was holding up my legs looking pretty graceful, I’m sure. Luckily Cali was way back in the walking group, so I didn’t embarrass her. It was a five hour tour, great experience.
From there we set off to drive across country to the Caribbean coast to Limon for the night. We would be driving through the highest point in Costa Rica, Cerro de la Muerte, just under 11,000 feet. This drive was a great illustration why CR is known for spectacular vegetation. We drove from the tropical rainforest lowlands on the Pacific coast, through the high altitude cloudforests, then on to the Caribbean side with all the wild beaches. The drive showed so much of the diversity in trees and plants. Often the trees have incredible height that you feel especially minuscule. There is just an overwhelming sense of awe as you drive through the jungles and mountains.
A quarter of CR is protected in 11 conservation areas, and that percentage continues to grow. Strict laws make it illegal to keep any type of wildlife as pets here, including birds. They boast these habitats are home to more than 500,000 species. It’s a special place for sure, and you can see why nature lovers often settle here permanently.
We stopped for a break in Cartago, because we needed a bathroom, a snack, and a little wifi. I will confess that I had a Big Mac combo, just because it was there.
The semi truck traffic increased as we neared Limon, which is the most important port town on the Caribbean side. We found our hotel without any difficulty or psychological trauma. The buildings were round, white, and yurtlike. They were covered with palm branches. We were tired and fell asleep to the crashing waves, somewhere in the distance.