Day 3 - Arenal: Kayaking, Zip Line, La Fortuna Waterfall & Organic Farm

Today was full of a lot of adventure. The first activity of the day was going kayaking. It was quite a little workout, but it was so beautiful. Mountains surrounded the Arenal Lake and amidst the mountains was a volcano. The lake was 170 feet deep in some places, which made the water dense. The tour guide warned that lifejackets must be worn for safety because of this difference in density. We kayaked to an area in the lake and were able to get out and swim. It was so peaceful and surreal.

After kayaking, we were allowed to zip line. It was an adrenaline rush because it was at a high velocity and we reached pretty high altitudes. On some of the platforms, it felt like we were standing in mid air. I was able to go on the zip line upside down, which was quite a fun experience. The best part of this zip line was the employees. They were so entertaining. The manager was always cracking jokes and made the experience that much more enjoyable.

The next activity was visiting an organic farm. The owner of the farm, Don Juan, also had a rich sense of humor. This was surprising. The farm itself was one of the most beautiful I’ve ever seen. Don Juan explained that everything is recycled if possible, including the cow manure. There were several different fruits and vegetables grown that are not seen in the United States. One of these was the miracle fruit. Although it’s aroma wasn’t appealing, the fruit has both preventative and treatment characteristics for hundreds of illnesses, including cancer. Don Juan made the tour very interactive. He allowed one of the students to cut down a tree and another to pull the root. He also let some of the girls on the trip paint on the boys’ faces. At the end of the tour, we used a machine to squeeze pressed sugar cane. I was surprised to see the amount of sugar that came out of the one plant. The only bad thing about this visit was the pineapple tasting. The pineapple was so delicious that nothing else will ever compare to it. All in all, it was a very enjoyable experience.

The last activity of the day was viewing a waterfall. The waterfall, La Fortuna, was breathtaking. The more beauty I see, the more favorite places I add to my list. The fall was gigantic. Its pressure was very powerful. When we swam near it, its currents pushed us back onto the shore. The water was brisk at first, but after some getting used to, it was very refreshing. It’s difficult to describe this experience with words. It’s like nothing I could’ve imagined. I recommend visiting this waterfall because pictures won’t do it justice.

Katie JohnsonMartin, '12