Bumpy ride, bubbling water, and butterflies...
At the hot springs (Agua Caliente). There are plenty of butterflies fluttering around. I tried to form the word "butterfly" by putting the Spanish words for "butter" and "to fly" together - I got something like "mantequilla volero" ("flying butter"). It's a comical alternative to just saying "mariposa."
The drive up here was extremely bumpy - gravel/rock roads for over half the entire way. I was worried that the car we were in would just suddenly snap under all the pressure and bumps - but we did eventually make it! Thanks to Carlos our driver, and to all the locals who pointed us in the right direction whenever we reached a fork in the road.
These hot springs are actually just a pool of hot water adjacent to the river. It's a pretty big and fast-flowing river with plenty of rapids - I don't know its name - I do know that we're near the Parque Internacional de Amistad (near the Panama border) and just over the mountains from the Caribbean side of the country. The river is cold. I sorta swam in but got instantly pinned against the huge rocks. I freed myself and made sure I wouldn't get sucked away by the strong rapids.
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Afternoon
The river next to the springs had much colder (fresher feeling) water that thundered upon the rocks. Rio Negro, Rio Colon, or Rio Coto Bruz is its name. I was pinned against the rocks several times. The chilly water pounding me, the rocks above the water baking hot in the midday sun, it was a refreshingly therapeutic experience.
Lunch was a meal prepared by Aurora - rice (as to be expected) with beans and some tuna pasta salad.
Halfway through our meal, Carlos called over because he had spotted a toucan! So I enthusiastically got up (not forgetting my camera) and joined him in the hunt for the ever-elusive toucan! The bird had flown to a different tree, so we followed it from below. We had to course through a bit of the jungle. We could hear the toucan's calls, and Carlos pointed out to me where to see it (all in Spanish), and it took a while to spot because it was mostly black, but I did see it. Unfortunately it was too difficult to capture on my camera, so the only pic I have is of a black splotch in the trees.
Driving back from the hot spring, I fell asleep, lulled by the thundering bumps of the rocky road.
Our car got a flat tire. Er, not just a flat tire, but a completely shredded rear passenger-side tire. Fixed it (it was searing hot to the touch). And were just less than 5 minutes from where the gravel roads switch back to being paved.
"Dodging potholes" seems like the advice I'd give someone on how to drive around here.
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Evening
Our day at the hot spring was relaxing. The drive was harrowing, mostly because of the gravel/rock roads.
Ticos are a good people, as evidenced by the fact that they acknowledge each other as they pass on the roads, either with a small honk or a wave. There is definitely a type of solidarity amongst the people here that we just don't have in the States.
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