Arenal Volcano

Arenal Volcano

Hello, everyone! Last weekend, the last weekend of January, CISabroad went on its last group excursion together. We went to the Arenal Volcano and La Fortuna Hot Springs. Well, we didn’t exactly see the volcano, but we did see one of its’ beautiful, big waterfalls on Sunday.

On our way to Arenal, we stopped at a well-known public park whose caretaker is very creative in the design of the trees there. I really liked his tree sculptures! There was also a Church there, and I peaked in since the doors were wide open and saw that a wedding was going on at that time. It was a bright and beautiful day for a wedding.

We left Saturday morning and went to a city right next to the volcano. In 1986, the volcano erupted on the other side from where we were, completely destroying the city, which was then rebuilt on our side of the volcano. We waited until about 4 to go to the hot springs since it was a very hot day. The Bali hot springs were beautiful and warm! The water temperature ranged from 104 to 116 degrees and there was three water slides, two bars (with expensive drinks!), 27 pools, and a few waterfalls. I loved the warm water and spending time in the hot springs. They were like hot tubs, but bigger and better. I would never have gone to that place if I was alone, but it was perfect with the whole group of us and would be a perfect vacation spot for someone and their boyfriend or husband. At 7:30, we went to the buffet at the back of the hot springs where I got a variety of wonderful food, but most notably, I got pasta alfredo, my favorite! I also splurged and bought 70% Britt Chocolate, which is in my opinion Costa Rica’s Godiva equivalent.

The next day, I went horseback riding to the waterfall. It cost extra to go horse back riding but was totally worth it since I love to horseback ride and haven’t done so in ages. Although my horse, whose name was Merne, wouldn’t listen to me, it was great. He was a 4 year old, stubborn horse who knew that he was in charge and wouldn’t move faster unless the rangers asked him to, which he would then begin to trot to catch up. Not only was he a slow walker, but he was always hungry, like me, so he would stop at the edge of the road for snacks as we walked. When we got to the waterfall, it was 200 or so steps down (sadly, we couldn’t take the horses) and then back up again, but it was truly a beautiful waterfall to see. The water was freezing, so I didn’t go swimming. I missed a rope swing that everyone else who didn’t choose to go horseback riding did, but I preferred to ride, anyway. Hopefully I’ll find a rope swing (called Tarzan Swing) somewhere else.