Our Costa Rican Friends

We had an amazing private tour today to Rio Celeste. We had a guide, Gabriel, and the best driver ever, Renald. Gabriel was very talkative, and he always referred to us as "my friends."  Along the way, we stopped to see spider monkeys, ginormous beetles, and tree frogs. Our driver actually hit and (most likely) killed a vulture, and it left a huge dent on the hood. 

The hike was muddy, but Brian and I had waterproof trail shoes. We wore pants and longsleeves. Brian wore his rain gear and sweat like crazy. It is the perfect temperature, but it is humid.

We saw the turquoise waterfall. This is where Jill was able to swim when she was here. She actually broke her toe at this spot. We were not allowed to swim in the waterfall pool, because they determined the chemicals were dangerous to the skin. 

Our guide pointed out a couple of poisonous (sleeping) snakes. He also told some European dude to put out his cigarette. The hike was pretty strenuous, but it was enjoyable and beautiful.

On the way to lunch, our van had to make it up a steep rock road. It took us eight tries to get up the hill. We would stall out and have to roll to the bottom. The three of us had to sit in the back to give the driver more traction.  We were also impressed by our driver's ability to fix the massive dent by the time we returned from our hike.

I had a typical Costa Rican lunch; Brian had pasta; our guide had tilapia head included. 

On the way home, our guide and bus driver found sloths in the trees...