Entry 2: May 31, 2011

San Luis

I suggest that when someone in San Luis asks if you would like a hike up to the waterfall, you say "YES!" because the San Luis Waterfall is well worth the strenuous hour long hike. Getting there provided a great many obstacles such as makeshift bridges where only one person could cross it at a time. Or rather the large and slippery algae covered rocks that definitely require balance and patience when walking on them. But none of that mattered to us, it’s an adventure! I was too energized by hearing the water rush downstream knowing I was heading to its source. And with friends and a few Bellbirds singing along the way, the hike seemed all the easier.

As we got closer to our destination little parts of the waterfall came into view and our smiles and eyes got bigger until  all 100meters of the San Luis Waterfall came into view; we were stupefied. For awhile everyone stood just looking and trying to snap of photo of every bit of the waterfall. And as uncomfortably cold as the temperature of the water was, with our bathing suits on, we hopped in to take a swim. A few of us jumped from a tall rock into the waterfall’s deep base, it was so thrilling the temp of the water didn’t hit most of us until a few seconds from breaking the surface. But we all stayed in… for a cool group photo (goosebumps and shivering bodies included). Still it didn’t matter with all the lush green vegetation growing high around us it was all too serene. And never have I swum in water so clear.    

Entry: 1: May 19, 2011

Cabo Blanco

Cabo Blanco is its own little world. Being an Absolute Reserve, people are asked to minimize their impact on the place. This means using a little less shampoo and conditioner, and acclimating to cold showers. However with all the hiking and snorkeling we do a cold shower in the afternoon is a small treat. The accommodations are just about as close as one could get to sleeping outside. But this is an Absolute Reserve, I’ll feel like I will have to keep reminding myself. The ocean breezes are very calmingthroughout the day. Yet there is no better place to be in Cabo Blanco than lying in the hammock under the trees near the shore. And I’m sure the iguana that has been sitting in the branch above me for the past hour agrees.