Deep in Costa Rican Territory (Days 3 - 4)

March 13, 14 - An early morning gives way to our planned getaway towards the Arenal volcano area. The drive is about a little over three hours, through winding hills , small villages and gorgeous views of the countryside. Illiana had mentioned something about queso Palmito and we decided to make a few stops for both coffee and some fresh Palmito cheese. Stringy and bitter goodness....yummm. The drive continued listening to a great Salsa station and taking in the great scenery.

The Arenal volcano rises ahead, imposing and majestic, following us as we get closer. We reach the Arenal Paraiso resort - a gorgeous pool and hot springs laden spot with great views of the volcano. I must pause here and truly describe what this place looks like, because it truly is paradise. Plants everywhere, beautiful flowers, colorful birds singing, I mean the place is one of a kind. Their cabins are rustic and comfortable, with a cozy porch looking out towards the volcano. Such is this place, filled with colors and pockets of lava warmed water, green with minerals.

During our stay here we managed to do a few things that truly endeared me to Costa Rica. I visited my first "soda" which is the equivalent of a cafe, but less expensive and the food is fresher. The place welcomed us for lunch with an array of native food choices, black beans, rice, steak, green beans, etc. All of it wonderful. For dessert, we got free samples of a native delicacy made with milk; sweet goodness and the perfect way to end the meal. Jason and I went hiking in the late afternoon through the forested area behind the resort. We stumbled upon monkeys and zip line platforms. It was a great way to spend the late afternoon, and I managed to bring along some frozen Imperials which quickly thawed due to the heat. We stopped short of our destination as the trail became steeper by the minute, and the thought of getting lost in the woods as darkness approached was not a viable option.

"Guario Speedragon". It should be copyrighted, as it is our original creation of a simple but exquisite drink. Take equal parts Cacique and Fresca, shake with ice and serve. Refreshing, and devastating at the same time. A fresh sample of what getting kicked in the nuts feels like, while relaxing in a pool on a hot summer night in Costa Rica. We made the most of our stay in Arenal Paraiso, which also involved watching the movie "Hot Chicks" and laughing hysterically, discovering Duval beers to our amazement, tanning, eating left over queso palmito and of course, lashing out at a Panamian waiter who tried to hustle us at the very same restaurant where two dogs decided to have sex next to our table. And of course, taking it all in, the setting, the view, the freshly made breakfast with the best orange juice in the planet, discovering my own personal waterfall aptly named Ving Falls; paradise indeed.