Ta Ta Tortuguero

The time had come to leave Pachira Lodge. It had been amazing but the next leg of our journey was calling. Thankfully not at an ungodly hour, departure time was 8.30am. It seemed a long time ago that we had arrived and the journey back on the boat seemed to go faster on the way back.

I since found out that the boat transfer was to Cano Blanco pier and that we had travelled along the Parasmina River. It was quite sad today as Julio was very subdued and wasn’t really talking to anyone. I made stories up in my head, maybe he wasn’t looking forward to going home.

When we arrived the fruit seller and the chicken on skewers sellers were still there selling their wares. The fruit seller had far more variety this time.

We bought more rambutans – they are delicious and much bigger than the ones you get in the UK. It looked like a tray of sea urchins. In Costa Rica they are called Mamon Chino and it is currently the season for them. Travelling towards Arenal the streets were littered with sellers.

I saw these and was instantly intrigued and wanted to try them. I looked them up later, they were Pejibaye aka Peach Palm Fruit. Pejibaye.  are about the size of an apricot or large acorn and grow in clusters in tall palm trees. The man cut one open for me to try , the flesh looked so inviting. However they grated on my teeth as they were so starchy, so much so that I had to spit it out in my hand, desperately looking round where to put it.

The seller looked shocked that I didn’t like it but subsequently I looked it up and found that it seems used more in savoury recipes.

We had to wait here for twenty minutes for the next transfer on a coach. I would have walked around and had an explore but saw this notice and thought better of it. There are 137 species of snakes in Costa Rica but only 22 are venomous – it would be my luck to come across a venomous one!

So I sat whilst Pete explored. There was a little cafe with intricately carved wooden tables and chairs, where I sat in the cool.

The bus arrived and we were taken to the restaurant which we had been to on the way over. We sat with the couple from Winnipeg and Copenhagen, what a difference a few days make. This was the location where people would either be getting their hire cars or getting minibuses etc. Quite a few people were heading to Arenal from the same tour company but getting separate vehicles – which seemed bonkers.

With time to kill wandered round the grounds some more.

We were one of the last ‘groups’ to be picked up. A whole mini bus to ourselves all the way to Arenal.

The journey took two and a half hours, and as we continued to Arenal the scenery changed and so too did the general feel of the places we passed. It very much seemed that the nearer we got to Arenal the more affluent it appeared compared to Tortuguero.

We passed many sugar cane fields. Sufficient rainfall, moderately warm temperatures, and rich soil fed by numerous volcanoes help make Costa Rica sugar cane exceptional. There were even more fields of pineapples as far as the eye could see. Costa Rica is among the world’s largest pineapple producers, supplying fruits to major supermarket chains in Europe, the US and elsewhere, so it’s likely I have tasted pineapples from Costa Rica at some point. However, the difference in taste between what you get here and what you would get from Tesco’s is incomparable. The taste and juiciness is truly luscious here. Apparently the country has seen a 700% growth in pineapple production over the last 15 years and the industry is worth US$ 1.3 billion to the national economy.

We eventually reached our hotel Arenal Springs. What a culture shock!!! As we left the minibus our luggage was put onto a golf cart and we were ushered into the reception. We were directed to wash our hands, then were given a flannel to refresh our faces and finally handed a cocktail. Then driven to our ‘chalet’ – which was a ludicrous short distance away. Passing an ice machine where we could fill our ice bucket.

The view was spectacular and took our breath away.

This is the Arenal volcano. Arenal is Costa Rica’s most active volcano, and since 29th July the lava flows have been consistent. Because it is still active there are hot springs across the area and as a result it is a honeypot of various spa resorts. Having been in hot springs in Canada. Japan and Iceland this was on another level.

It was amazing and so relaxing. Various sections with bars and food stations. Had a really good sleep after this.