19th March 2005

After a few days of chilling out on the Caribbean coast we moved up Costa Rica to La Fortuna, a small town but with plenty of fun things to do and a very big active volcano that sometimes gives spectacular eruptions at night time. When we arrived a few of us walked down to the river where there was a monkey rope to swing over the rocks and drop into the water below. 2 of the group managed to do belly flops, which sounded painfull but thankfully no such disasters for me (except for nearly swinging back into the rocks).

Yesterday we all went white water rafting. The boats were small and only had 4 + guide in them and it was only grade 4 rapids but was good fun. Came close to falling out a couple of times but managed to stay in the boat, that is, until the boat tipped over - you don´t have much choice then! Brilliant though and we all made it back in the boat safely without drowning. In the evening it was to the natural hot springs below the volcano for a few hours, which my aching limbs desperately needed but my sunburnt knees didn´t.

Today we walked up to the big waterfull here and by the time we got there we were sweating, out of breath and ready for a swim in the water nearby. The waterfall is about 70m high and looked spectacular - not quite Niagara but you can´t swim near there.

Tomorrow it´s over to Monte Vierdi and straight away zip wiring through the rain forest.