It’s been quite an action-packed first 50 days for our Fall Semester Coast to Coast Expedition participants! The group started their adventure by heading to Costa Rica’s Pejibaye River for the rafting phase of their expedition. For some, it was their first time tackling whitewater, but in just a few days, everyone was taking turns expertly guiding the group through the rapids. As part of their final test to get certified as Whitewater Raft Guides and Rescue Technicians, they were tasked with guiding the OBCR marketing staff down the Sarapiqui River—putting their newfound skills to the test for some very excited clients!
After ten days on the river, the group returned to the comfortable beds and hot showers at our cooler rainforest base. They then began Lifeguarding and Wilderness Advanced First Aid classes in pursuit of two more certifications in the outdoor industry. In between study sessions, the group managed to fit in plenty of card games, smoothie making with fresh, local fruits, and rainforest trail runs with our base pup, Rafi. At the end of this phase, their skills were again put to the test with a simulated wilderness emergency that required the expert help of some newly certified responders!
The group headed to Costa Rica’s Pacific Coast to finish up their Lifeguarding training and began surfing. Beach hopping from Uvita to Dominicalito to Manuel Antonio in pursuit of the best waves has not only helped the group hone their surfing skills, but also allowed them to explore some of the world’s most pristine beaches. Sunrise and sunset surf lessons have been complemented by sloth and monkey sightings, many more fresh smoothies, and a gluten-free birthday celebration!
After surfing the waves on the Pacific Coast of Costa Rica, it was time to start the next phase of their course: service projects in Nicaragua. The group crossed the border and took a ferry to the island of Ometepe to live and work at an elementary school called Rafaela Herra. Here, they painted the auditorium with help of the local school children, which gave them a lot of opportunities for Spanish practice!
The group used their new language skills traveling around the country via the local ‘chicken buses’ (which occasionally do carry chickens on board!) and received plenty of tips from locals on where to find the best Nicaraguan cuisine. A cultural scavenger hunt around the colonial town of Granada meant the group could learn about the city’s history and main attractions and interact further with the locals. They also spent the day kayaking and swimming in the volcanic lagoon ‘Laguna de Apoyo’ and had a good dose of souvenir shopping in the city of Masaya before heading back across the border to the base!
At the end of this week, the group will venture into Panama to become NAUI scuba certified. We’re looking forward to the next part of the adventure with this fantastic group!
Looking to explore Central America?
Join us on our next Coast to Coast Expedition. Envision yourself spending 85 days in Costa Rica, Panama, and Nicaragua!