Scuba Diving Fishing Land Rafting Xtreme Adventures Things 2DO

RODALES ARTICLES ARTICLES FROM RODALE´S SCUBA MAGAZINE Date: 2006-01-09

After hiking back up, we left for Fortuna and lunch. We highly recommend La Choza del Laurel where they roast chicken over a wood stove. Be sure to place your order about an hour in advance. An appetizer of plantain nachos with guacamole and hot salsas satisfied us while we waited. Liz's favorite salsa was Lizano's which is served at every restaurant in the country. La Choza had a talented marimba player for our return visit on Saturday.

After lunch, we wanted to get away from tourist shops and see real artwork. Rolando had friends at the Galleria Coco Loco arts studio and café. Local masks, pottery and painting were worth the trip. Prices were excellent, we bought more than we intended and remain happy that we did so now that we have the pieces at home.

While driving around Fortuna it was interesting to see large signs warning of the danger posed by the volcano right next to the ornate gardens at the entrance to other resorts.

That afternoon we went to Eco Termales hot springs. This is another Rolando favorite and it was easy to see why. The grounds were beautiful and very private as we were the only people there at the time. There are a series of pools as the hot stream descends the hillside and a cool mist spray to cool off in at the top pool.

Back at the lodge we explored the grounds a bit. We crossed the hanging bridge and walked through the gardens.

Day 3, Saturday, started with canopy tours and zip-line rides at Sky Trek at Arenal. There are many places where you can do this activity, but Sky Trek takes pains to remain eco-friendly by erecting towers to moor the cables to rather than wrap them around trees. Yes, it's really more of a carnival ride than an education, but it's a damn good one and not to be missed.

Liz was obsessed with getting a picture of a toucan so Rolando took us down the road toward Cerro Chato. After about an hour we caught a glimpse of one flying and the three of us took off at a very quiet running ramble through a field. We eventually saw a number of these elusive birds. Now that Liz was no longer obsessed we headed back for a soak in the hot tub and dinner.

Our last dinner included a rum tasting with Flour de Cañas and Ron Centenaro Añejo. I taught the bartender how to make a chocolate martini. If you go there, help him keep in practice. The three of us reminisced about the wonderful trip and talk of future trips.

The last day, Sunday morning, we arose early and hiked to the Arenal waterfall. We didn't have time to go for a swim before getting back into the Land Cruiser and heading off to Liberia for the flight back home. We got to Liberia early where we checked-in early. With a few hours before the flight, Rolando didn't want us to sit at the airport and eat lunch at the airport café, so he took us to Restaurante Paso Real in downtown Liberia that overlooks the plaza. We had excellent food and met friends of Rolando, as we did everywhere we went.

On the return flight, we bought a new duffel bag to carry all the stuff we picked up for gifts and personal use -- Café Rey tarrazu coffee, macadamia nuts and candy, Ron Centenario Anejo rum, Cacique Guaro, Lizano salsa, kids' jewelry and Britt chocolate covered coffee beans.

We can't say enough about Rolando as a trip organizer and a personal guide. His service started with constant communication and a booklet that described the customized trip we had set up. During the trip he adjusted to the weather and our changing whims as we learned about the local environs. We firmly believe that he knows everyone in the country, all the best places to eat and the most environmentally friendly vendors. Everything was first class without costing an arm and a leg. As the trip went on, we grew from customers to friends and look forward to seeing him again.

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