Costa Rica Trip
Costa Rica Trip
The adventure to Costa Rica began on March 14th, 2005, where 19 students and 2 staff advisors headed to the lush, mountainous region of Central America to explore the rainforest. The students ranged from grade 9 to grade 12 and bonded quickly as they explored their new surroundings. This trek took students across the country from the Caribbean Coast to the foot of the Arenal Volcano. This was no ordinary field trip. Here they got the opportunity to ride above the forest canopy in an aerial tram, snorkel the coral reef, zip line through the rain forest from tree top to tree top, and swim behind a 400 foot waterfall. The break away from the Canadian cold to the hot Tropics was exhilarating.
The tour was accompanied by a local guide, Shirley, who was very knowledgeable and had a keen eye at picking out various wildlife which included sloths, crocodiles, monkeys, toucans, insects, etc. The days were exhausting going from one activity to another and the nights were spent socializing, swimming, and playing pool and cards. The accommodations ranged from modest air-conditioned hotel to the torch lit tent camps tucked deep in the rainforest. At the tent camp, wake up calls were usually around 5 am thanks to the loud cries of the howler monkeys. At the tent camp, the students also got to swim and play amongst the 3-foot surf and catch some rays on the beach.
The food was fairly North American except it always had a touch of the local cuisine serving rice and beans with every meal. The later half of the week was spent in the interior of the country where everybody had the opportunity to go horseback riding and catch an evening soccer game. Students got to wrap up a day lounging by the hot springs while sipping on tropical drinks. As the week approached its end, students were sad about leaving the beautiful country but anxious to go back home. It was an experience that they will never forget.
