Horses, Hot Springs, Zip Lining and Extreme Water Sliding

December 27^th, 2014

As much fun as it is having the groundhog days at a beautiful all inclusive resort, we needed to get out and see a bit of Costa Rica.  That’s one thing that I don’t really like about all inclusives is that you’re so insulated from the local culture and sites.  So even though it felt tough to pull away from the pricey prepaid fun at the Dreams resort, we needed to get out for a day trip.

My stepsister Michelle had organized an excursion with a guy she knew through a friend back in Canada.  Edwin was a native Costa Rican but had spent a year up in Alberta and this was how the connection was made.  It also meant that Edwin’s English was quite good.  He showed up in the morning with a 20 person mini-bus which just fit our family of 19 perfectly (as you do need a seat for the beer cooler!).  We drove for close to two hours, to a large ranch called Buena Vista.

Getting on our private bus, the guy in the blue shirt is Edwin, our tour guide:

Just ten minutes from our resort we stopped to see this male howler monkey who wasn't too impressed with us, so he pissed down from the tree (sure, just marking his territory):

Astronaut!...Boys will be boys.

Our first activity was to saddle up on horses and ride for about 45 minutes to some natural hot springs.  We were given the option to sit in a trailer pulled by a tractor if riding and equine wasn’t up your alley.  My step brother-in-law Dave told of a story when his first son was on a horse and it took off and it was a terrifying experience for him as he had to chase after him.  It all ended up fine but Dave swore he’d never mount a steed again but amazingly he changed his mind.  My brother in law Brad was also not crazy about riding but he also did it so everyone in the group did ride…nice work gentlemen.

Brad looking stoked:

Brenna and Brayden mounted up:

We're almost ready to go, but notice Brad facing the wrong way on the right:

Giddy up!

Dylan excited to ride:

So is Brenna:

Up the hill we go:

Moseying along:

Nice views as we head downhill:

A horsey selfie:

At the hot springs we first ventured into a little steam room that was heated by some natural thermal vents.  Then we lathered on some hot mud for a little skin treatment followed by some bathing in various pools of different temperatures.  Hot springs in the jungle…super nice.

Inside the steam room powered by natural hot springs:

Getting muddy:

Edwin surprised us by hosing us off with cold water:

Miss Brenna looking through the swimming hole:

 The water was a nice warm temperature:

The tractor pulled the trailer with everyone in it back to the ranch for some lunch and then it was zip lining time.  I had never gone zip lining before.  Yes, perhaps a bit of a surprise for some of you as I’m into adrenaline type activities but this one had just never crossed my path before.  I thought it was super cool that everyone, from ages 6 to 68 did it.  Well done team!

The whole crew on a tractor trailer ready for the next stage of the day's adventure:

We saw this nice lizard on the way, basking in the sun:

Alright, it's zip line time!

Brenna's ready to go:

The whole crew suited up:

Paige and Corinne practice their technique:

Jaxon getting set up:

And off he goes:

Now Michelle's turn:

Dylan about to set off:

The crew at station 3:

Brad enjoying it:

Everyone up in the trees...almost reminds me of the Ewoks in Star Wars:

Here I go!

Rachel going upside down:

Okay, it's my turn:

And the final activity was an insane concrete waterslide through the forest.  It took about 45 seconds from top to bottom and you could pick up some serious speed.  A few of us (read: me and the young kids) did 3 runs.  I went barefoot the first two times and the imperfections of the cement did a bit of a number on my heels as the technique you had to use was to sit through an inner tube with your legs crossed and your elbows in so not to get all banged up.  On the last run I borrowed Brad’s sandals and tried to minimize drag by only having one heel and the inner tube touch the slide and I got up some serious speed.  I almost thought I was going to fly right out of some of the corners!

The water slide through the forest:

Joel coming out the bottom...he loved it!

As did Dylan.

And even Uncle Dave was getting his thrills:

Word of the day is legs...help spread the word! (look back to my Ometepe blog entry if this doesn't make sense to you.

We stopped briefly in La Cruz to check out the sunset before heading back to the resort, which is on the other side of this bay...nice finish to the day.

What a day.  Half the crew fell asleep on the ride home, exhausted from exhilaration.  Definitely a good time was had by all!