After deciding that we didn’t want to get fat on our trip we elected to wake up semi early and go for a run. We didn’t think that at 8 in the morning it would already feel 90 degrees out. But it did! So we ran hot and bothered around the hills of Manuel Antonio trying to earn our breakfast. It felt great to exercise after a couple days of beach lounging. Afterwards we showered and headed to breakfast. I ran into the owner of the hotel and let him know that we were very pleased with our stay at La Mandarina. We packed up our stuff that was decorating the floors, walls, bathroom, etc. and checked out. We asked for directions.....But we soon discovered that there are many “rutas” to Arenal.
First you go towards Palameras.......But we learned that it is labeled on only one of the signs towards it. So originally we thought we were going towards it. But, we later had to guess which way continued the right way as the rest of the turns were labeled as towns that didn’t exist on all three of our maps. We eventually calculatedly guessed and brain-powered our way in the right direction; only to find this would be the story for the next three towns we were looking for! haha. It was patience testing, but we have played this game before......and we won (we always do). We drove through some of the steepest, unmarked, windy (wieeeendy-like squiggly lines. I don’t know how to spell that and I don’t want you to think I meant windy-like sailing. You’re welcome.) scenic, seemingly uninhabitable, sketchy bridged, hilly roads of all central americadum today. Successfully. And in good time. BOOM. (Jen said for those of you familiar with Hawaii, the drive was like the Road to Hana... x4) Side note- Once you get to one of the towns it’s easier to just ask directions. Otherwise you have to try every main road in town until you see a sign that says the right way. There are no next town signs on the way in. It was an adventurous drive today. We stayed cool and calm. I think we handled the challenge really well. We are getting really good at traveling.
We arrived at our hotel........DIRECTLY below the volcano. Serious. Like oh snap, (pointing up) there it is. Great location and very friendly staff. Our orientation was like a Spanish lesson by a really nice Tico-dude who was really helpful. I think he thought it was somewhat amusing to direct random questions at Jen, knowing that she was listening and understanding the conversation, even though she kept answering back in English. We ate a decently priced meal at the restaurant 28 steps outside our door and went to soak in the hot tub about 15 steps further. I lost again in a game of rhymes. How did I lose when I rhymed “bite” with “kryptonite”? I cant decide whether it’s good or bad that she beats me. All losing aside, this place is way more baller than I thought. We did good. I am for sure looking forward to just sitting outside with Jen on the two rocking chairs in the morning, drinking coffee and staring up at the volcano.
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