Hola! When we last left off, students had made the trek to the Lopez family homestay where they got a first-hand lesson on how to harvest pure Costa Rican sugarcane and turn it into candy using the traditional Trapiche tool, cauldrons, molds and a lot of hard work. After getting their fill, they spent their last night at the Lopez residence and geared up for an adrenaline-filled adventure at the waterfall. Students made their way upstream to the top of an 80 foot waterfall and secured their harnesses one by one as they rappelled down the majestic rushing waters. It was one of their favorite activities and after a quick dry off, there was one more stop to be made. At the Hernan homestay they harvested homemade cheese from the farm and soaked in the breath-taking views of the vast mountain ranges. From the Hernan residence, students headed to Rancho Tinamu for their first conservation project to aid in the rehabilitation of endangered frog species. Here students took a detailed tour of the ranch where they witnessed the delicate red-eyed tree frog, the most photographed frog in the world!
After 8 intense days of trudging through the Rainforest, students made their way to Manuel Antonio National park, one of Costa Rica’s best known national parks for its lush foliage and beautiful sandy beaches. Here, students saw their share of diverse plant and animal species including white-faced monkeys who even had their babies clinging to their backs along with several sloths resting among the branches. Students traded in their hiking boots for boogie boards as they waded into the water to catch a few waves, and enjoyed time on the beach. After seeing the high levels of the Sarapiqui river due to heavy rainfall, the group opted to head into the capital city of San Jose where they practiced their Spanish skills at the local artisan market and got a chance to barter with local currency using Colones.
Today, as course winds down after an exhilarating hiking series, students will view the rainforest from a different perspective as they head to a local canopy tour. Students will get get to zip through lush treetops and take on an aerial view of Costa Rica’s rich landscape. Later on this evening, they will participate in one more service project just a short distance from the rainforest base with Executive Director of Outward Bound Costa Rica Jim Rowe. Their last night as a group will be spent saying their fairwells to their newly made companions and wonderful instructors Danny and Diego! Pura Vida!
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