Zippity Do Da

OK, so here's the deal...

Length: 1476 ft.
Height: 426 ft.

It's really easy. All you have to do is

show up
pay $32
don't scream too loud
fly

Catherine was a bit worried about the heights (so it's probably a good thing we didn't tell her she'd get to do it 12 times! Yup, 12 zip lines throughout the cloud forrest near Monteverde. The first few runs are "practice" runs to get you ready for the real ones. What a rush (oh, wait - I mean view). The view of the forrest is fantastic, but I'll be honest - I was a bit distracted by the fact that I was flying by at 45 mph! I highly recommend it.



On the other hand, if you just don't trust your life to a small metal pulley and a stap of nylon webbing, there's always the other option: bridges. We did both. The bridges may not be as "adventurous" but we got yet another close look at the forrest, but this time from the air.

Lions and Tigers and Bear... and more...

OK, so there are no lions, ligers, or bears up here. But, that doesn't change the fact that there should be. Everything else seems to live in these forrests (7+ millions ants, beatles, spiders, fireflies, Two-Toed Sloths, Tucans, etc...). We went on two hikes through the "backwoods,"and saw a collection of unexpected and amazing stuff. One of the hikes was at night, and might I say, "Night is the time to visit the forrest."

Granted - without a guide, we probably wouldn't have seen a thing (and this forrest would have felt like any number of other random places I've hiked at night). However, Carlos (Ws that his name? Sure. Why Not?) seemed to have x-ray/night-vision eyes. He turned this way and that way and kept finding bugs, birds, mamals, and more. So worth it!



Sunday morning, we went back in for another peak (in the daylight). We didn't see the monkeys Cath was hoping to see, or nearly as many animals/bugs as the night before, but it was still a great way to see the forest and spend the morning together.

Click on the photo, then look at the base of the tree to see Grant scrambling up it - and get a picture of the truely amazing size of these trees!

And yes, it's "rainy season" here too (like everywhere else I've been lately).

The Road to Monteverde

The hot spot to visit in Costa Rica seems to be Monteverde, and for good reason. The place is amazing, but it's also in the middle of nowhere. In fact, the people that live there have requested that it remain thusly isolated. Getting there seems like a pretty easy task, until you reach the final 35 km (intentionally unpaved, rocky, dirt roads). Oh sure, there are 4 (maybe even 5) different roads into town, but they're all a bit bumpy.



The views along the way are amazing though. We drove into town (and away) during sutsets (on Friday and Sunday respectively*) and we got to see the clouds come in and the colors change. It's really quite beautiful. It's super thick rain forest up there. Technically, it's a cloud forest because it's pretty much enveloped in the clouds most days.

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* for those tracking my movements on the Broadbent--Travels-Commomorative-Calendar

Catherine and Grant

OK, we NY Broadbents know who to plan vacations. Or rather, we get really lucky. Catherine (my sister) and Grant planned a trip to Costa Rica that perfectly coincided with my trip. And yet, we didn't even have to coordinate it. In fact, I think it was a bit of a surprise to us that it happened. Whatever the case, they were my salvation from Tamarindo this weekend.

More about this photo, and many more in future entries, but alas - I have to get to my äfterschool" activity. Suffice it to say, we have a blast in Monteverde. Now, back to the weekly grind on the beach. Rough life.

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Oh, and Cath gave me AA-batteries and pens for my birthday. Very important!

It Looks So Easy

In my college days, I had a nickname. 18 years ago, my friends called me "Mouse." It's a long story. Well, not really - but I don't feel like telling it.

Suffice it to say, these mice have me beat on the waves.Today, I had my first surf lesson (finally), and I pretty much wanted to hurl when it was over. I am SOO out of shape. For those of you who surf, you already know this. For the rest of you - surfing is NOT just about "catching the wave" or "getting up on your first try" (which I did, thank you). It's also about pulling yourself through the water with only your hands, while balancing precariously on a board and being repeatedly attacked by mountains of water. I really need to work my upper body.

My teacher says 10 pushups in the monring and 10 at night every day will make a difference. He might be right, but perhaps I ought to just start swimming again. Whatever the case, my teacher (I think his name was George) got me going and I now understand what I need to practice.

Some people scoff at Tamarindo's waves, but I was completely satisfied. They were as big as I could have wanted and plentiful. It was a bit "crouded"but I don't really have anything to compare it to. However, it was nice to have various instructors yelling to their respective students, "Now, now, pladle!" It helps with the whole, "When do I go?" question of starting to surf.

We'll see about getting back out in the water. Unfortunately, my school schedule an the local tide charts seem to be in disagreement over where and what I ought to be doing.