From Tourist-ville to Paradise

The visit to La Fortuna at the foot of the Arenal Volcano included a barrage of tourists from all over the world swarming in and out of shops, restaurants, hotels and tour agencies . . .

And we felt a bit uncomfortable being part of the storm.  So we took out a map and planned our escape.  

Tilaran, a small pueblo at the west end of Lake Arenal and El Castillo at the east end stood out as possible destinations, but to make it happen we opted to rent a car for 3 days.  

Yeehaw!! We got to play like real tourists for a change.  So off we went in our gutless Hyundai to walk the jungle trail at Hanging Bridges, on the way to Tilaran.

While there, in the middle of a hilly jungle, at one point it sounded like a pack of angry Rottweilers was headed straight for us.  A nearby group of American hikers reassured us that it was a troop of Howler monkeys discussing the purpose of life with another troop.  Could've fooled me!!  Sorry, no pictures of the monkeys this time.  They were too fast and elusive for us.

We ended up hanging out with the Americans for the rest of the day and evening - and even part of the next day.  One of the men had just sold his tilapia farm near Tilaran and is returning to live in the U.S. to take care of personal business.  

The next day he graciously spent hours with us touring his property - and my goodness, what a dream property it is: over 8 acres consisting of 9 fish ponds, each flowing into the next, citrus trees, wild orchids, coconut palms, coffee bushes, various native fruit trees, pineapple plants, several homes and other buildings, and so on and so on - all beautifully maintained.

But we had to remind ourselves the property had already been sold - almost.  

Nevertheless, the day reminded us to keep our hearts open to possibilities.  Hope lives on.

Have the hot springs resorts around La Fortuna gone too far? Well, er... yes.

Starr is anticipating the best Mexican Tortilla avocado soup she has ever eaten. It's almost here.

Lost in the moment. The subtle beauty of the jungle captures your soul.

Another kind of light shade.

We thought these looked prehistoric. 

Forest primeval is still here. Only 3% remains of what was.

14 suspension bridges get you right into the canopy of a square mile of old growth jungle.

Here a bridge, there a bridge.

Everywhere a Jefe bridge.

Starr relates to the wild. And the wild relates back.

Clear cool water in the warm jungle. How does that work?

Plants love living in the jungle. 

Concrete grids help humans stay upright on slippery trails.

Every houseplant you've ever seen started out here.

This guy liked rock so much he built a discotheque out of it.

Learning from other Americans who blazed the trail before us. We are grateful

A beautifully functional tilapia pond system near Lake Arenal.

Roy shows us his place.

This is the Paradise picture you've been waiting for.

So much to learn.

A happy day for us.

Lake Arenal is a reservoir, generating over 40% of the country's electricity.

Cafe y Macadamia is awesome. Curry chicken with a Costa Rican touch.

This is the best cup of coffee we have ever had. We're from Seattle, so that's saying a lot. 

Macadamia shells form the surface of the dining patio.