“Dan gaan we dansen, dansen, dansen, dansen op de vulkaan.” De Dijk.
The landscape that attracts so many tourists today was created by the eruption of the Arenal volcano in 1968. Nature has recovered and ‘conquered’ in great abundance and diversity with plants and animals.
In Monteverde, we chose the difficult route for the hike, which we enjoyed. That is why we are also choosing the long 5-kilometer route here; it is not stated that it is difficult. Along the route, we pass a viewpoint overlooking the volcano and a small lake in the jungle. We walk through various stretches of nature and hear diverse insects loud and clear. Sometimes it is deafening.
We see various birds, have a beautiful view from the terrace at the restaurant where we sit three times today, and see different animals every time.
The way up is bumpy and the paths turn out to be made of large, round lava stones, with gravel thrown in between at some point. But with all the rain, this has sunk considerably. Some sections of the jungle are thick, and today we have the sun during the hike, after rain in the morning. The humidity is very high. Hot and humid, phew… The way up is long and there are no spots to take a rest. After walking for 1.5 hours, we reach the viewpoint and I am completely exhausted.
The view is beautiful, but I didn’t really enjoy the walk. Just as the narrow path leads up, it also leads down. It is becoming a huge challenge for me, and it is not fun. Because I only have vision in one eye, I cannot perceive depth. The path is unfamiliar, the stones are round, and I don’t see that either. I am mostly walking by touch, using my feet. I am going down slowly and carefully. It is hard on the ankles; mentally, it is tough. My glasses are off, because they only fog up due to the humidity. Visibility is even worse. Arjan is walking ahead of me and is very patient and sweet, and his physical shoulder is a great support for the descent.
When we get downstairs, we explode in the heat again, and Arjan thinks he’ll just take some nice photos. Shaking knees, I feel like steam is coming out of my ears. Arjan takes a photo, because we did a pretty good job, after all! Can you read that on my face?
We have earned lunch and it tastes divine. A beautiful anteater is walking by the entrance.
Today we made a nice deal, because after the hike we get to swim in a natural spring at another part of the volcano. That prospect, along with a well-deserved lunch, quickly calms the mind. The ankles and feet need a bit more time.
The only one we encounter often is Pedro. The wild coati who takes his daily walk past the trash cans at the reception, to the restaurant and the park entrance. Everyone knows him and every time he is gently chased away, but since he is the largest coati in the park, he takes enough for himself from the trash cans.
And finally, just a quick word about this awesome t-shirt in the photo belonging to an American. We, as “Bob Ross fans,” can’t help but compliment the man on his amazing shirt.
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