Costa Rica, November 2007, Day 3

We left Kelly's on the morning of day 3 and took the bus to La Fortuna. This is the usual place to stay near Volcán Arenal (Arenal Volcano). When we arrived, we checked into Gringo Pete's, ...

nobody@smugmug.com (Sean Leather) — Mon, 17 Dec 2007 18:40:30 -0800

Sean Leather
We left Kelly's on the morning of day 3 and took the bus to La Fortuna. This is the usual place to stay near Volcán Arenal (Arenal Volcano). When we arrived, we checked into Gringo Pete's, ...

One reason Gringo Pete's is popular is because one night in a bunkbed like this is $3.

nobody@smugmug.com (Sean Leather) — Mon, 17 Dec 2007 18:44:10 -0800

Sean Leather
One reason Gringo Pete's is popular is because one night in a bunkbed like this is $3.

We were supposed to mark each bed with something of ours, so that it wouldn't be taken by somebody else. Elizabeth felt the need to be explicit in her message.

nobody@smugmug.com (Sean Leather) — Mon, 17 Dec 2007 18:44:16 -0800

Sean Leather
We were supposed to mark each bed with something of ours, so that it wouldn't be taken by somebody else. Elizabeth felt the need to be explicit in her message.

We relaxed for a while at Gringo Pete's, and Elizabeth shot some photos of birds in the backyard.

nobody@smugmug.com (Sean Leather) — Mon, 17 Dec 2007 18:50:07 -0800

Sean Leather
We relaxed for a while at Gringo Pete's, and Elizabeth shot some photos of birds in the backyard.

Elizabeth captured this hummingbird in flight at the feeder.

nobody@smugmug.com (Sean Leather) — Mon, 17 Dec 2007 18:50:17 -0800

Sean Leather
Elizabeth captured this hummingbird in flight at the feeder.

The Gringo Pete's wall of stuff to do. We had plenty of options.

nobody@smugmug.com (Sean Leather) — Mon, 17 Dec 2007 18:50:33 -0800

Sean Leather
The Gringo Pete's wall of stuff to do. We had plenty of options.

It turned out that we arrived in La Fortuna at a perfect time to sign up for an Arenal trip. The trip involved (1) hiking through the park (not near the volcano), (2) volcano siting (from a ...

nobody@smugmug.com (Sean Leather) — Mon, 17 Dec 2007 20:30:25 -0800

Sean Leather
It turned out that we arrived in La Fortuna at a perfect time to sign up for an Arenal trip. The trip involved (1) hiking through the park (not near the volcano), (2) volcano siting (from a ...

This is the view of the park from the top of the trail we're about to take. Along the side of the trail is a fence made of sticks, trees, and barbed wire. We found out that it is very common ...

nobody@smugmug.com (Sean Leather) — Mon, 17 Dec 2007 20:30:34 -0800

Sean Leather
This is the view of the park from the top of the trail we're about to take. Along the side of the trail is a fence made of sticks, trees, and barbed wire. We found out that it is very common ...

Elizabeth was fascinated with this plant called mimosa due to how it folds its leaves when touched. You can see it in action here.

nobody@smugmug.com (Sean Leather) — Mon, 17 Dec 2007 20:30:44 -0800

Sean Leather
Elizabeth was fascinated with this plant called mimosa due to how it folds its leaves when touched. You can see it in action here.

Flower of a mimosa.

nobody@smugmug.com (Sean Leather) — Mon, 17 Dec 2007 20:30:51 -0800

Sean Leather
Flower of a mimosa.

I believe this is the guava tree.

nobody@smugmug.com (Sean Leather) — Mon, 17 Dec 2007 20:31:43 -0800

Sean Leather
I believe this is the guava tree.

This tree is covered in epiphytic plants. These plants grow upon (but don't feed on) this tree.

nobody@smugmug.com (Sean Leather) — Mon, 17 Dec 2007 20:32:28 -0800

Sean Leather
This tree is covered in epiphytic plants. These plants grow upon (but don't feed on) this tree.

Our guide provides us with an example of one of the epiphytic plants.

nobody@smugmug.com (Sean Leather) — Mon, 17 Dec 2007 20:33:28 -0800

Sean Leather
Our guide provides us with an example of one of the epiphytic plants.

A vine wrapped tightly around a tree.

nobody@smugmug.com (Sean Leather) — Mon, 17 Dec 2007 20:34:08 -0800

Sean Leather
A vine wrapped tightly around a tree.

Some kind of leaves. I don't remember what they're called.

nobody@smugmug.com (Sean Leather) — Mon, 17 Dec 2007 20:34:47 -0800

Sean Leather
Some kind of leaves. I don't remember what they're called.

Tree pylon?

nobody@smugmug.com (Sean Leather) — Mon, 17 Dec 2007 20:35:53 -0800

Sean Leather
Tree pylon?

If you look closely, you'll see a stream of black spots traveling horizontally across the center of the photo. These are army ants. We happened upon this so-called "raid" in the middle of th ...

nobody@smugmug.com (Sean Leather) — Mon, 17 Dec 2007 20:36:55 -0800

Sean Leather
If you look closely, you'll see a stream of black spots traveling horizontally across the center of the photo. These are army ants. We happened upon this so-called "raid" in the middle of th ...

In (what I eventually realized was) traditional Costa Rican fashion, our guide picked up an ant in an interactive sort of nature education.

nobody@smugmug.com (Sean Leather) — Mon, 17 Dec 2007 20:37:29 -0800

Sean Leather
In (what I eventually realized was) traditional Costa Rican fashion, our guide picked up an ant in an interactive sort of nature education.

As he talked about the army ant's powerful mandibles, ___ let it get attached to his shirt. The mandibles are those two tusk-like appendages sticking out of its head on the left.

nobody@smugmug.com (Sean Leather) — Mon, 17 Dec 2007 20:38:11 -0800

Sean Leather
As he talked about the army ant's powerful mandibles, ___ let it get attached to his shirt. The mandibles are those two tusk-like appendages sticking out of its head on the left.

And to show us how these "Pinchers of Peril" worked, he pulled off the body, leaving the head securely attached to the mandibles.

nobody@smugmug.com (Sean Leather) — Mon, 17 Dec 2007 20:38:51 -0800

Sean Leather
And to show us how these "Pinchers of Peril" worked, he pulled off the body, leaving the head securely attached to the mandibles.

After hiking around the park, we stopped to get a look at Volcan Arenal. Fortunately, we saw some nice firework-like spurts, though we were so far away, they were smaller than my fingernail. ...

nobody@smugmug.com (Sean Leather) — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 13:52:11 -0800

Sean Leather
After hiking around the park, we stopped to get a look at Volcan Arenal. Fortunately, we saw some nice firework-like spurts, though we were so far away, they were smaller than my fingernail. ...

Elizabeth was eager to get in a pool and relax in the hot water. We found a pool closest to the source in which the water reached near scalding levels of heat. So good!

nobody@smugmug.com (Sean Leather) — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 13:55:44 -0800

Sean Leather
Elizabeth was eager to get in a pool and relax in the hot water. We found a pool closest to the source in which the water reached near scalding levels of heat. So good!

This is a "swim-up bar" in which you can sit in the nice, warm water and sip your drink of choice.

nobody@smugmug.com (Sean Leather) — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 13:57:52 -0800

Sean Leather
This is a "swim-up bar" in which you can sit in the nice, warm water and sip your drink of choice.

Each pool had a slightly different environment. This one had a small waterfall under which it was a delight to stand.

nobody@smugmug.com (Sean Leather) — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 14:02:11 -0800

Sean Leather
Each pool had a slightly different environment. This one had a small waterfall under which it was a delight to stand.

If the steam hasn't already given it away, this pool is very comfy.

nobody@smugmug.com (Sean Leather) — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 14:03:32 -0800

Sean Leather
If the steam hasn't already given it away, this pool is very comfy.