Monteverde Country Lodge, Monteverde, CR @ 9:56pm, Jan 9
Hola, Steven here. This morning we got up twenty minutes late so we
had to scarf our breakfast down. We had a typical Costa Rican
breakfast from the hotel, which consisted of rice, beans, plantains,
cheese, and fried eggs. We got to our bus just in time. Onward to the
next place!
We took a short trip to the Don Juan coffee plantation. There,
everyone except for Jieling enjoyed a free, unlimited source of their
coffee. We then learned about what parts of the world coffee comes
from. Then, we got the opportunity to ride on an ox driven cart. The
best part of the ride was when the ox pooped while we were on board.
We then followed the various steps of the coffee bean making process.
This includes growing the plants, picking the ripe berries, taking off
the outer layers to get to the beans, drying them, roasting them, and
then selling them. We were treated to a lunch which was probably the
most interesting we’ve had this far, as it included a banana
“ceviche,” a chicken drumstick, and a typical side of squash which
Jieling likes so much that she would sacrifice me to have. We then
boarded the bus for our next destination: the cloud forest!
It took a nauseatingly windy and rocky trip but we made it up to el
bosque nuboso. The first activity was the tour around the forest via
the hanging (suspension) bridges. Jieling pooped her pants out of
fear, but it was for naught because it actually wasn’t very scary. The
various bridges were all made of metal and well supported, so there
was no reason to worry about falling to your death unless you happened
to be a blue whale. It wound up being a pleasant hike led by a fast
speaking, portly Costa Rican man. We saw various birds, trees, plants,
and mini avocados which they call “aguacatitos de montaña” if I
remember correctly. This was nice and all, but paled in comparison to
the highlight of the day: zip lining over the canopy.
We got fitted with our equipment and helmets, then made our hike up to
the first zip line. You’re hooked up to line, told to sit (in the air,
a task which is an ab workout in of itself,) and also we’re advised to
hold your dominant hand posterior to your body in order to maintain a
forward facing position throughout the trip. This proved to be an
issue for me. I wound up sitting in an improper position which wore
out my forearms and abs 60% of the way through, so I lost control a
couple times and spun around in circles. I’m a pretty stoic guy
though, so none of our guides even noticed how frazzled I actually
was. One even went as far to comment that I’m the best zip liner he’s
seen in his 74 years as a guide. I told him that I doubted that, but
accepted the compliment with grace.
Before the final line, we rode the “Tarzan Swing,” which is just as it
sounds. You’re hooked up to a rope, then you jump off a tall platform.
You free fall for a few seconds, which is exhilarating, then you
swing like Tarzan for a while. It should be noted that Jieling got a
bit nervous before jumping, so the guides had to shove her. What a
scaredy cat! The grand finale was the longest line: a whopping 1 km.
Jieling and I got to ride with each other. It was an amazing
experience. The forest was misty and windy, but we could still see all
the green around us. This wind blew lots of air and mist into our
faces, but we didn’t even care. We were flying above the forest! It
felt like an eternity, but I think I speak for us both when I say I
would not have minded being up there longer. Probably the most
exhilarating experience of my life!
We walked back to return our equipment and check out our candid
photos. I looked silly. Jieling looked normal, I guess. My crotch
hurts now but I think it was worth it. If I were to take a life lesson
from this wonderful experience I think it would be that I’m fat and
out of shape.
We got home and took showers. I watched an Animal Planet special about
a bird which plants its eggs in another bird’s nest so that it won’t
have to do the work of raising it. What a douche bag. Jieling slept
like a baby.
I woke up Jieling just two minutes before the dinner bus arrived, so
she got on the bus half awake. I was still on an adrenaline high
(which, I still am currently on), so I didn’t look like a zombie like
her. We arrived at this Italian restaurant, which was pretty decent. I
got a caprese, fried calimari, and had a chocolate mousse. Jieling had
a minestrone (which she’s never had before,) a mushroom fettuccine in
cream sauce, and the same mousse. We left in pretty much the same
states: Jieling tired from food and a long day, and me still on a high
from zip lining.
We’re in our hotel room now, probably going to sleep soon. We’ll be
traveling to Manuel Antonio tomorrow, which allegedly will be a long
trip. It was a pleasure writing this entry. Toodles!
