Hola lectores!

Today we ate breakfast and split into two groups: one went fishing, and the other went white water rafting!

The rafting took place in the Toro River, which was roughly a four hour roundtrip bus ride. Upon arrival, the group received their life jackets, helmets, and split into groups of 5 to 6 people. The instructors warned us that we would most likely get wet, and we were off!

It didn't take long to get a few "swimmers," as the instructors called rafters who go overboard. The river was fast, demanding, beautiful, and the water was the perfect temperature for such a steamy day. About halfway through, we stopped for some freshly cut pineapple and some watermelon. While stopped, some rafters took a dive off a 15 foot cliff into the river! After a small 20 minute break, it was back to the rafts for the second half of the trip. The second half, the instructors got a little more reckless with their "instructing," as some groups spent more time in the water. Overall, the rafting was simply amazing.

After the rafting, we stopped at a local mom and pops Costa Rican restaurant where we were enjoyed a typical Costa Rican dish, varying from your choice of fish, chicken or beef, along with some rice and beans. After lunch, we got on the bus and drove back to the hotel for an evening of relaxation.

While the other group slept in until 7, we (Brian Jacobs, Antonio Jacobs, y Sergio Najera) woke up at 5 A.M. to travel to Lake Arenal for a fishing expedition. Our guide, Ron Saunders, met us at the dam on the lake in a small 16 foot long fishing boat with hot coffee and homemade macadamia banana bread! The morning weather couldn't have been more perfecto, with calm water, a small breeze, and slightly overcast.

Our first destination we fished was west of Vulcán Arenal. Although the fishing was slow, we had the opportunity to take in the beautiful sights and wildife such as howler monkeys, cormorants (a predatory fishing bird,) and horses. Our guide was very informative about the lake's history and inhabitants. We learned a number of things including: the fish guapote, which was the only species we caught, literally translates to "the most handsome.' Another species we were fishing for was the machaca, which is related to the piranha.

Interestingly enough, the lake itself was man made and provides energy to the surrounding towns. The lake is 33 miles long and up to 150 feet deep! Originally this lake was used for cattle farm grazing until it was converted into a massive lake. Additionally, there are no visible inhabitants that live on the lake. The slow fishing, we later found, may have been due to a 22 foot rise in the lake over the past 6 weeks. 22 FEET IN A 33 MILE LONG LAKE!!!!

After a long day, both groups enjoyed a delicious supper in the hotel restaurant are preparing for a long a day of travel and beach day tomorrow!

i Pura Vida !

~Brian Jacobs, Sergio Najera, and Malcolm Farley