Hola! It was a short hop from the hotel to catch the small passenger ferry for the one hour journey across Lake Arenal. It was a clear, sunny and a calm day for the crossing, This allowed us to avoid a 4 1/2 hour circumnavigation of the lake in order to reach our next destination of the Cloud Forest of Monte Verde. The backdrop of Arenal Volcano and a 360 degree panoramic view of green hills and blue skies had a very calming effect. Successfully reaching the other side of the lake and loaded onto a 16 passenger bus, our first encounter with Costa Rica's infamous roads was about to begin. More pot "holes" than a Dunkin Donut shop. We started climbing, climbing, climbing as the tires spun uncontrollably in the gravel. Rolling hills, sunny vistas and outstanding scenery. Climbing, climbing, climbing as the motor wheezed away at a high pitch in low gear. Gravel, dusty roads with no guardrails and we keep climbing, climbing, climbing while the transmission groans and moans. No need to worry about this place being overrun by tourists in the short term as long as they avoid making any road improvements here. I don't think any large buses would attempt this road in the first place. We stop for a brief photo opportunity. Wild and windy but breathtaking. Climbing, climbing, climbing while the bus continues to shake, rattle and roll and our final destination of Monte Verde or the Cloud Forest is finally realized.
It is a small, older town whose origins go back to the time when free spirited travelers, looking for an escape, would have made this destination a reclusive retreat. The Hanging Bridges are what brought us here. Eight bridges traversing the gullies and valleys bring us high above the tree canopy. Below us, it looks like a giant embroidered patchwork pillow. Different textures of foliage and different shades of green, all woven into a complete canopy covering. It appears like you could step off the bridge and float and bounce on the green cloud. Really though, it is probably about a 150 meter drop to the forest floor. I walk steadily and purposefully to cross, trying to avoid the swinging and swaying as well as the rock and rolling of these suspension bridge. Click on my video here or go to the following link Cloud Forest
You can hear the gurgling below of the streams but they are camouflaged and out of sight. The song birds sing constantly against the backdrop of the whistling of the wind through the trees. It is about a two hour hike when the clouds start to close in and the mist intensifies to a warm, light rain. There is also a zip line here, but those who decided to take the plunge, need rain gear and jackets as it is cool and damp. We hear them coming and they suddenly appear like ghosts out of the clouds. So glad we decided to do our zip experience yesterday in the warm and sunny skies of Arenal. Pura Vida back at you Rachel :) Hasta luego
It is a small, older town whose origins go back to the time when free spirited travelers, looking for an escape, would have made this destination a reclusive retreat. The Hanging Bridges are what brought us here. Eight bridges traversing the gullies and valleys bring us high above the tree canopy. Below us, it looks like a giant embroidered patchwork pillow. Different textures of foliage and different shades of green, all woven into a complete canopy covering. It appears like you could step off the bridge and float and bounce on the green cloud. Really though, it is probably about a 150 meter drop to the forest floor. I walk steadily and purposefully to cross, trying to avoid the swinging and swaying as well as the rock and rolling of these suspension bridge. Click on my video here or go to the following link Cloud Forest
You can hear the gurgling below of the streams but they are camouflaged and out of sight. The song birds sing constantly against the backdrop of the whistling of the wind through the trees. It is about a two hour hike when the clouds start to close in and the mist intensifies to a warm, light rain. There is also a zip line here, but those who decided to take the plunge, need rain gear and jackets as it is cool and damp. We hear them coming and they suddenly appear like ghosts out of the clouds. So glad we decided to do our zip experience yesterday in the warm and sunny skies of Arenal. Pura Vida back at you Rachel :) Hasta luego
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