2011 Costa Rica Summer

Tuesday, August 2, 2011

Eric’s Blog Day 4

Today we woke up and ate breakfast. After our meal we got onto bikes and rode to the beach single file. When we got there our guide split us in to two groups. My group got chosen to go snorkeling first so we had to find flippers, goggles and snorkels. When we got into the water i8 saw a huge variety of fish. When we finished that we went into the kayaks. My partner was Gavin and i was in the back because i have the most power. When we went into the creek we started a race. We passed everybody on the way there and back. the only problem was that going back we were against the current so we lost by a landslide.

Rappelling Photos

Their first words of advice were: Don’t look down until you are over the edge! Good words of wisdom – our first rappel was 165 feet with a waterfall to the right. If you look closely, you’ll see the line to the left and one of the experts standing at the bottom. It was so long so we could practice pushing off with our legs and releasing the rope.

The experts preparing Jenny for her first rappel.

Gavin demonstrating excellent form

Ready for the next one!!!

Is Kai ready? For sure!

Phillip takes a leap!

Now THAT’S how you rappel Discovery style!

Graham ready to rock!

We all got a little wet on this one…

Say Queso, Michael!

Abby shows off her amazing skill!

Mitchell showing us all how it’s done.

Marlene making the girls proud!

Geoff makes it look so easy…

Michael has conquered many things this trip – including rappelling!

Stephen conquering the most powerful waterfall we encountered.

Magnus shows us all some sweet moves!

Eric ready for take-off.

Zipline Photos

The view from the platform for the gondolas, which took us up the mountain to the ziplining platforms. Arenal volcano is on the skyline.

Anxiously awaiting our training run

Proper form is key: arms straight, legs crossed. The closer your legs are to you, the faster you fly!

And we’re off!!!

Ms. Amy earned the nickname Flying Senorita from the experts. She went very fast so she wouldn’t have to pull herself to the platform at the end!

Rappelling

We went rappelling in the morning at 8:00. It was one of the craziest experiences I have ever experienced. There were 2 dry canyon walls and 3 waterfalls. My favorite was the 1st waterfall. It was so refreshing because it was really hot when we were there. We had a harness, a helmet, and gloves. the trick was to push yourself as far as you could on the 1st step so you could go down faster. After we did the 5 rappelling walls we had to hike for 15 minutes and then go get on a truck but it was a great way to end the Costa Rican Adventure!

-Graham

Monday, August 1, 2011

A Day In Costa Rica

Zip-lining was amazing! I was scared to do it at first, but immediately after I did it the first time it was great. In all, we did 8 lines, but I definitely could have done more. The view from the top of the mountain of the lake and the volcano made the experience even better. Then later the rain came, but after we went to hot springs. This was definitely one of the highlights of the trip.

- Michael Greenblatt

Trip of a Lifetime

Hi Mom and Dad!
I'm having an amazing trip. Sorry I haven't been blogging. I promise I will make up for it in pictures. I went zip lining today and went swimming in the hot springs. I have been having amazing food. The rice and beans were delish! The chicken was awesome. I'm excited to see you.
I miss you oodles!

- Geoff

Adventure of a Lifetime

The last few days have been amazing! We did so much, many are unimaginable. From hiking through the rainforest during the day and experiencing a night hike where it's completely pitch black with only our flashlights at hand. We also walked on a suspension bridge. Here, our guide instructed us to turn off all the lights to listen to the sounds of nature and the stream of water below us.

Each day was an adventure. We also visited the Bribri tribe, located in the southern part of the country. The group rode on canoes -- The ride was absolutely breathtaking. Although it rained, we still managed to get to our destination with no trouble. We learned about the tribe's way of life and learned their process of chocolate making without any preservatives. I must say the chocolate was delicious! The kids loved it! While there, the kids learned about the students' way of life. It was definitely an eye opener! We had the opportunity to visit the schools and dropped off school supplies and sports equipment. The kids definitely realized how fortunate they are! Maybe they won't take things for granted.

- Mrs. Marquez

Zip Lines

Today we drove to a place that has a canopy tour by way of zip lines. We started with two small practice zip lines so we could learn how the correct position to ride on the zip lines with. After the first two we were standing on a platform looking out across a wide valley. I was very nervous because looking down from the platform you could see that the valley was very deep and that the zip line was incredibly high off of the ground. It just so happened that this was the highest zip line in the system. I flew off the platform and over the valley. It was exhilarating and a spectacular view. After that we continued on several more zip lines, also with incredible views. The seventh zip line was the longest and fastest of them all (it was nicknamed “Big Daddy.”) While on the seventh zip line I saw a hawk flying over us and to my right I could see Lake Arenal. Finally we took a short line down to the ground level, and returned our gloves, helmet, and harness. Zip lining today was absolutely splendid and I had the time of my life.

-Kai

Costa Rica 2011

HI everyone!!!! this is kind of strange for me. Its Tiffany and this is my first blog. Ok that sounded stupid but hey it works. well can't wait for the trip. see ya, bye!

Night Walk

Yesterday we went hiking in the rainforest at night. After they told us to watch out for pit vipers, the second most poisonous snake in Costa Rica, I got a little scared. Once we got in the forest, I saw some animals and insects I had never seen before in the wild. I saw a tarantula, giant crickets, and we actually did see a pit viper. We also saw lots of big spiders. They were everywhere. There was also a giant ant hill. It might have been hundreds times bigger than any I had ever seen before.

There is a picture of part of the ant hill. It is dark, but you can still see all the ants.

The night walk might have been really, really creepy, but it was still really, really cool.

-Liam

Flying to Costa Rica

On our flight from Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas to San Jose, Costa Rica, I had the window seat. The sunset was splendid and soon after that I saw a thunderstorm below us. I was very excited to get into Costa Rica and begin our adventures.

-Kai

Night Walk

While visiting the Tirimbina Reserve, we went on a night walk through the forest. Many animals that live in the rain forest are nocturnal, which means they come out at night. The purpose of the night walk was to see wildlife that we cannot find during the day. To start of the walk we crossed the Sarapiqui River and were at the canopy level on a very long suspension bridge. During the walk we saw animals like crickets, spiders, cockroaches, bats, a tarantula, frrogs, a toad, a butterfly, beetles, and a pit viper.

This Tarantula was hiding in a hole on the side of the trail.

Geckos are not actually native to the rainforest but today we can easily find them.

Amphibians like to come and lay their eggs after it has rained.

What seems to us like a very large ant hill is actually one of the smaller ones found in the rainforest.

-Kai

Giving Back to the Environment

Throughout the week we have seen plantations, hotels, and reservations. They put a lot of effort into being sustainable, organic, and preserving the environment. Today we gave back to the environment by participating in a reforestation project. We planted two plants each. All of the trees we were planting were endangered or important to the ecosystem. Forest Almond and Mahogany were two of the species of hardwood trees that we planted. To plant the saplings, we take the fabric wrapping off of the soil in the saplings roots, placed it into a hole in the ground, and then filled in the hole with dirt.

This was the tree that I planted. It is a Forest Almond tree.

-Kai

Firsts

On my trip to Costa Rica I have done so many things for the first time. Riding a motorized canoe. Seeing a tarantula in the wild. Milking a cow. Swimming under a waterfall. I keep getting chances to do fun new things. I hope there are even more chances as the week goes on.

-Liam