Date of events depicted: 6 February 2011
Two Crazy Chicks Productions, in association with WorldWild PhotoGraphics and What Am I Going to Tell Your Mother? Productions, is proud to present episode 3 of The Adventures of Yumiko and Eden in Costa Rica…
“Let’s do this!” Eden says, tightening the chinstrap of her yellow helmet and tugging on a soaked pair of leather gloves.
She and a guide are standing on a platform at the top of a 220-foot waterfall, preparing for the fourth and final rappel of the day.
The guide locks the carabiner and checks the rope, then allows Eden to back off the platform and hang suspended far above the canyon floor. “You want to go fast?”
“Yep."
“Then this time don’t try to control your descent. Enjoy the ride!”
Eden lets go of the rope, spreads her arms wide, and hurtles down the line. The cheers and whooping of her fellow adventurers echo off the rock walls.
For a moment, Eden wishes that Yumiko’s voice were among them. But Yumiko is at the luxurious Tabacón Grand Spa Thermal Resort, enjoying a long-awaited, well-earned, and much-needed “spa day.”
It’s unusual – practically unheard of – for our intrepid heroines to go their separate ways while traveling. But down-climbing, rappelling, hiking, and swimming her way through a narrow river canyon didn’t appeal to Yumiko. And Eden freaked out at the idea of spending hours relaxing and soaking in the hot springs for which the Arenal/La Fortuna area is famous.
Our dynamic duo meets back at the hotel at 3:00 and has just enough time to change and grab their gear before they are picked up for the afternoon’s activity: a sunset hike near Volcán Arenal, Costa Rica’s most active volcano.
“Yep."
“Then this time don’t try to control your descent. Enjoy the ride!”
Eden lets go of the rope, spreads her arms wide, and hurtles down the line. The cheers and whooping of her fellow adventurers echo off the rock walls.
For a moment, Eden wishes that Yumiko’s voice were among them. But Yumiko is at the luxurious Tabacón Grand Spa Thermal Resort, enjoying a long-awaited, well-earned, and much-needed “spa day.”
It’s unusual – practically unheard of – for our intrepid heroines to go their separate ways while traveling. But down-climbing, rappelling, hiking, and swimming her way through a narrow river canyon didn’t appeal to Yumiko. And Eden freaked out at the idea of spending hours relaxing and soaking in the hot springs for which the Arenal/La Fortuna area is famous.
Our dynamic duo meets back at the hotel at 3:00 and has just enough time to change and grab their gear before they are picked up for the afternoon’s activity: a sunset hike near Volcán Arenal, Costa Rica’s most active volcano.
They learn about the 1968 eruption that buried the town of Tabacón and add bronze-tailed plumeleteer to their life list, but they return to the mini-bus thwarted in their quest to see lava glowing red in the night.
In an effort to ease the pain of disappointment, the guides pour copious quantities of Liquid Lava, a potent combination of guaro (a locally-produced, clear, 60-proof liquor made of sugar cane) and tropical fruit punch.
Soon almost everyone on the mini-bus is drunk. Really drunk.
Eden and Yumiko are not among the inebriated and they watch their companions’ sloppy antics with amusement until the bus drops them off in front of Tabacón.
Our intrepid heroines make their way to Yumiko’s favorite pool (for, of course, earlier she had checked out the entire property and weighed the merits of each and every one). The rising steam is illuminated by the slim crescent of the waxing moon. The muted roar of the waterfall drowns out any other sounds.
It’s not the kind of hot water in which Eden usually finds herself when she travels – and for that, both she and Yumiko are grateful.
Related links: Desafio Adventure Company, Tabacón Grand Spa Thermal Resort
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