Day 6 - Travel to Limon region at Puerto Veijo

Hello from Costa Rica - we are now in Puerto Viejo and relaxing by the pool. We did survive our nights without air conditioning. We were very excited to get back into the bus today and travel in the air conditioning...yeah well the air conditioning broke about 1/2 way into the trip. We did stop at a MegaSuper (grocery store) in our guides home town and were able to meet his wife and 7 month old son. We were also able to buy water very cheap. Updates, Michael is having troubles with swimmer's ear but keeps swimming, Megan had an upset stomach most likely due to the heat and is better now. Many are making connections with students from other groups and seem to be having a very good time. The other students are from Oaklahoma, two groups frm illinois, and a group from texas - a total of 32 of students and chaparones. Hope that youa re all having a great time in Michigan.

Day 5 - the LaSalva Biological station and Whitewater rafting

Two great experiences - the first very educational and very sweaty. We learned all about the rainforest and all of the organisms in it. While there we were able to see a two toed sloth, more leaf cutters, several poison dart frogs including one that was carrying its tadpole on its back. We recieved a ton of information.

The afternoon was spent whitewater rafting... yes we are all alive and well. Autumn was able to ride on the very front of the raft suspended over the water - quite the experience. Everyone had a great time! Time to eat dinner... more to come

Day 4 - Canopy Tour and travel to Sarapiqui

Saw Red poison dart frogs, bullet ants and tucans at the canopy tour. Once we arrived at our new hotel we started adventuring around the area... Nathan found a Camen family (have only found the five babies need to check for more in the morning.) While swimming in the pool we were able to see a local gentleman chopping down a very large tree with a macheti (spelling?) and a howler monkey that was scrambling for cover. Autumn just came in to alert her cabin mates that there is a lizard loose in the room. All is well we are having a great time... will fill you in on how it goes for the first night with no air conditioning

Morning view of Arenal Volcano from the hotel

 

Poas volcano number two ... still raining

 

Poas volcano in the rain

 

Micah is oh soo happy to be in Costa Rica

 

Autumn on the plane between Detroit and Newark

 

Getting ready to go

 

Not the Iguana that got Nathan

 

Colleen Inbioparque

 

Day 3 - 1/2 through our day

We have gone to the La Fortuna Waterfall. Beautiful waterfall that we were able to swim in the pools below. We had a great time in the cool water - glad that we are used to Lake Michigan so it was not a shock. Very fun some were able to get a little work out as they tried to swim against the current. Some sun bathing happened slightly down stream on the rocks. After a very steep climb out of the ravine (much huffing and puffing) we are back at our hotel for lunch and a break then off we will go to the Arenal lake which is an artificial lake for their hydroelectric power plant. On our way back from the lake we will stop at the hotsprings and relax before dinner. I may or may not update depending on just how relaxed those hotsprings make me.

All students are surviving = a few highlights... Iguana pooped on Nathan, bird Pooped on Poulsen, Autumn blew out a flipflop, Colleen, Katie, Kara, and Tori found out that setting 4 alarm clocks can back fire and you may just get up at 4:00 am... and then 5:00 am ... and then 6:00 am (showering each time). I am not doing this story justice you must ask them. Lessons on using a lock box are necessary...Colleen discovered (a little scare for her).

Out for now...Hertel & Poulsen

Day 2 - Volcanoes, Volcanoes, Volcanoes

Great day ... went to see the bioparque beautiful display of all of the biodiversity and ecosystem found in Costa Rica. Mr. Armitage there will be a picture posted tonight for you...yes LEAF CUTTERS! Wet weather at the Poas volcano but still able to grasp concept of what we were looking at. Bus trip to La Fortuna uneventful but good scenery. Mr. Huber was right, you can't take your eyes off the windows.

We were able to go to the Arenal volcano last night and watch lava spew and roll down side of mountain. An amazing thing to see not on a TV screen.

1st Morning in Costa Rica!!!!!

We woke to completely new sounds. Mrs. Poulsen and I were at the window looking to see what the birds making these great sounds look like.

We have breakfast at 7:00 our time so 9:00 your time and then we are off to the ImBioparque to see and learn about the Costa Rican Biodiversity...we should find out about our morning birds here. We then transfer to Poas Volcano National Park! After lunch we take the bus to La Fortuna and the hot springs in the Arenal region.

The Trip from K-zoo to Costa Rica

Well we are here in the beautiful country of Costa Rica. It was a long but uneventful trip and we are oh so glad to be at the hotel. We will try to upload some of our pictures soon. It was already dark when we got in but Katie does feel that she is truely here as she was able to see a palm tree (her criteria for truely being in Costa Rica) as soon as we were out of the airport.

Phone calls should be on there way... we had to figure out the phone system and our guide wanted us to eat as the resteraunt wanted to close so sorry for a little delay in getting the word out.

And They're Off!

The PN students and staff traveling to Costa Rica left this morning for the Central American country. According to text messages, all is well!

-MH