Costa Rica Day 8 - Guanacaste Province

Wednesday February 13

Almost a late start today.
Suitcases out at 7:30am
Breakfast at 8am
Leave hotel at 9am

Nestor had given us each a mango yesterday. We had it before breakfast but it was a messy event with James' little pocket knife.







The day we had arrived James and I had gone into the 'golden pool', the hot spring water from the volcano which is being filled every morning (too early today to show you). It was lovely but almost too hot for me.









Right next to it is a fresh water pool to cool off.

And then we went for a swim. Lovely under the stars.

Now it is time to say good-bye.

We have some driving to do again. We are going around Lake Arenal, Costa Rica's largest lake. 

Of course there are stops. This is a German bakery. Actually, we had something really nice for a treat. And the waitress really spoke German.

 Had to take a picture of the lovely decorated 'facilities'.

We also stop at a high point for a picture opportunity.

William, this is for you! There were people selling things grown-ups call "souvenirs". One table had lots of froggies on them.  This froggy said: "If you know of a little boy at home who would like to play with me, can you please take me with you?" He was so nice that we said: "Of course!"

 William, see Grandpa talking with him?

He even brings something to make music with.

Next stop: lunch time.

 James: pollo

 Christa: mixed cerviche

When we waited for the bus, we could look at the outside which was being renovated.

 Another stop at a super market. Since I didn't need anything I quickly went to the church.

Of course most churches are catholic.  There was a plaque from which I assumed that the church "Inmaculada Concepcion" was dedicated 1972.


























Quickly I lit a candle for our friend Pat on vacation in Peru with a huge health emergency.

Getting close the our next hotel.



























Leaving the reception/lobby we are shown to our rooms.

Our hotel is the Buena Vista Lodge in Liberia










Go past the horses.













There it is. It has A/C but we never needed it. Hot during the day but cooled off nicely in the nights. Open windows, yeah! The only drawback ... the frogs and the birds were so noisy!











From the bench at the front door we had a lovely view.












Assignment: be ready at 4:30 pm for walk. Closed shoes and flashlight.












Lots of interesting things again.

This is a lion ant. I made a video (click here). Funny thing is though that it is up-side-down and I don't know how to turn it. So you might stand on your head to watch it.

Coming out of the woods.

Walking to the Sunset Bar.

 Life is good!

 The pond across our room.

Dinner ... buffet.












* * * * *
The official OAT itinerary of today:

Day 8

After breakfast today, we drive to Guanacaste Province in northwestern Costa Rica, a large section of which has been set aside for preservation and designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Dominated by the Guanacaste mountain range, this region has a distinctive dry tropical climate and is famous for its thermal pools, which we’ll enjoy later in our stay.

Our lodge is situated in the primary forest of Rincón de la Vieja National Park—we’ll arrive around mid-afternoon. From here, we can walk into wild expanses of tropical dry forest where we may spot peccaries, armadillos, motmots, and Capuchin and Howler monkeys, as well as White-fronted Amazon Parrots, Spectacled Owls, and over 270 other avian species. We’ll have time to savor our lodge’s mountain views and explore its lush grounds before we dine together at the lodge’s restaurant tonight.