Rolling on the River

The fun has officially started. The morning was dominated by white water rafting. It was exciting enough to be fun, but not crazy enough to be dangerous. Parts of the safety lecture reminded me of a rafting trip I took down the Colorado through the Grand Canyon in 1979.

This rafting went through a rain forest. We saw a few Osprey, and many Vultures (which appear to be the top predator bird.) The most-surprising moment was when a Humming Bird lit on My Lovely Wife's helmet-covered head. Ironic, because it was My Lovely Wife would wanted to see the Hummer the most, and she was the only person to not see it.

During a break, one of the guides walked into the forest and brought back two small frogs. One, a red Poison Dart Frog, and the second, a green and black Commando Frog. I told Pricilla in America, Commando means you aren't wearing underwear.

Of course, there were water fights between the boats. It's time to explain the name I've given this tour. If you ask a Costa Rican (referred to as Ticos and Ticas) how things are going, if things are good, the Tico will respond Pura Vida! Strictly translated, in this means pure life. But the Ticos and Ticas have taken Pura Vida as their national greeting. So as we exited a rapid, or won a water fight, the guide in charge of the raft would call for a high five. We would raise our oars and yell Pura Vida! Silliness to make the tourists think they're having a better time than they are? Shame on you, you cynic.

In the afternoon, I saw my first Toucan and many other colorful birds. Costa Rica is much like Tanzania in that if you don't arrive a birder, you might consider becoming one while you're here.

There was a small pottery demo before dinner, and after, we had a great lecture on the topic of bats. Most people are afraid of bats, but they are extremely important (especially the insect eaters). Even in America, farmers who use bats save millions of dollars in insecticide. And the bats will fertilize your field.