Wednesday, September 19, 2018

CHASING WATERFALLS

The most popular attraction in Manuel Antonio is the National Park. The park is home to abundant wildlife, hiking trails and access to several private beaches. Without a doubt, you will see white-faced monkeys, butterflies, raccoons, and you might just catch a glimpse of a howler monkey, toucan, parrots or a sloth. You can hire a guide to help you explore the park, which we did on two of our days there. Benico was his name. Did I remember him? Pleasssssse, I made sketches people!!!! But anyho, you should be able to book a guide through any hotel or you can hire one right by the entrance of the park. We hired a guide...  we found having a guide might make the experience more enjoyable and informative. And you wouldn't want me and Daddy Warbucks wondering around the rain forest loose.
I asked for a side saddle. A true lady only rides astride, but  Benico told me to get my damn ass on the horse.
Costa Rica incognito realness!
One of the highlights of our time there was seeing the Nauyaca Waterfalls which are located about 45 minutes from Manuel Antonio where we were. The waterfalls are absolutely fantastic and the tour that takes you to them is really great as well. The are two, tiered waterfalls that fall into a refreshing swimming pool. The taller of the two falls is about 145 feet tall and the smaller is around 65 feet. The tour includes horseback riding to and from the waterfalls, time to swim in the pool ,and jump off the waterfall...do you think Im crazy?????, and lunch at the animal sanctuary. This tour was one of the most fun activities that we did in all of Costa Rica. I highly suggest it to anybody! 

Ran face into this thing. It's called a Tapir. which is the largest mammal in Costa Rica. The strange looking animal with its long,  snout is a relative to horses and rhinoceroses. It feeds on leaves, twigs, fruits and seeds Benico told me, which made me feel much better.
 
We also saw from not to far the area known as Arenal Volcano.... located  north from where we were. Its natural wonders give you the feeling that you've stepped into another time and place.The volcano, active as recent as 2010, offers a wonderful opportunity to take an easy hike where volcano flows are still evident. You can kayak on the largest lake in Costa Rica, soak in the natural hot springs, explore the caves, or go hiking
Never saw a volcano that close up.
 Our lovely tour guide Bencio after our first day, log day excursion which end on the beaches back in Manual Antonio. And who was I to complain.
He even joined Warbucks and myself for dinner and drinks and cigars one night.
And I love cigars, smoke three or four a year, and who was I to not partake of a good smooth Costa Rician?

45 comments:

  1. you look ADORABLE in that hat! and if that is bencio in the blue speedo, it's NO WONDER you invited him for dinner; just LOOK at that ass! more pretty pictures from a tropical paradise.

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    1. Just you wait till the next post dear! And to answer your question from the other post..it was extremely hard to come home!!

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  2. Spectacular photos! And a real live toucan!

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    1. Yes, and not in my fruit loops for a change.

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  3. I am so enjoying these posts on your trips. Looks so amazing and a world away from life here. Love the Costa Rica Realness look!!!

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  4. Just when I thought it couldn't get any better, the scenery gets even more lush. In more then one way. Love the Costa Rica Realness look. That place is heaven on earth.

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  5. Welcome back!!! You have been missed. These post are spectacular.

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  6. Beautiful post + pics. I know I would have invited Benico to dinner too!

    kisses from Amsterdam

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  7. What a gorgeous trek through the jungles. I'm adding it to my bucket list!

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  8. Have just realised you're back! Welcome back! :D

    And with such an incredible trip too. You have quite a life.

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  9. Wow! What a gorgeous place. And all the wildlife. Great tour. I rode, and showed, a lot of horses in my teenage years. Never sidesaddle though :-)

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    1. Me too. When I was little my half brother always took me riding.

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  10. What gorgeous fotos! The landscape is so lush. The animals are exotic and colorful. The waters are just stunning! Aqua blue! What an amazing riding tour, complete with a dip in the pools and a volcano in sight.

    I hope y'all were far away enough, so if the volcano erupts, you're at a safe distance. Pagans sacrificed virgins to a volcano to stop it from erupting. But by the looks of your tour group, I doubt there was a virgin among you.

    What lovely horses and fantastic guide ya'll had.

    Pura Vida!!!

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  11. Welcome home mistress maddie!
    I've been catching up on your posts after taking a little jaunt myself, to wonderful Canada.
    Your photographs are excellent. What a diverse and amazing place planet earth is.

    Being on horse back, ah yes, I used to ride in my youth now I'd need a big strong man to lift me up and tie me on..... getting older is pants. Never mind, I have my memories.

    Looking forward to the next instalment.
    Glad you're back, safe and sound. 😀

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    1. Thank you christina!!! I've missed you too. By chance did you check on Steven???? He seems to be awal?

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    2. I'm afraid not. I would have but the distance was too far and besides, he might start worrying if I'd have rocked up at his door!

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  12. Absolutely fantastic! I can imagine it was NOT easy to come back. Oh, and I appreciate the TLC reference in the title!
    ^_^

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  13. So many pretty things to take pictures of,

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  14. Very nice pictures. If I decide to leave the US, I think Costa Rica just shot up to the top of my list of countries to move to.

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  15. Beautiful! If you didn't jump off the falls, I hope you at least swam in the gorgeous pools of water there... As well as soaked in the hot springs. All naked, of course! Hugs!

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  16. beautiful pictures.

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  17. When you say you enjoy a smooth Costa Rican you do mean Bencio right???

    Those waterfalls are amazing! As was the horseback tour. This is so cool.

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  18. Volcanoes are really, really neat. I used to live about 25 miles from Mt. Rainier... in what they call the kill zone.

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  19. You should get paid to travel and do a travel drag blog!!!! This is making me want to go in the worst way. You fit right in with that look. Very cool hat.

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  20. YOU have a hat with peacock feathers? i am shocked. nice to see you enjoyed yourself while a slaved away at the casa.bitch.

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  21. Welcome back! Gorgeous photos..I love the Tapir how unusual! Looks like you had more fun then is legal.

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  22. You better believe I'd been jumping off those waterfalls. How awesome are they?!?! I would never have thought about going to Costa Rica till these posts.

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  23. I am delighted to see these and hear of the wonderful experience but, I am happy to have you back :)

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  24. Dear Mistress, I was starting to think I'd hear from you never again! (LOL) I'm so glad you have returned to your blog and offered a marvelous set of pictures and travel details. What a trip, and how hot you look in your hat and glasses, shirtless!

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  25. "nd who was I to not partake of a good smooth Costa Rician?" I think your talking about the cigar I think? Your a handful Mistress.

    Meanwhile , yet another lovely post. I have never seen a volcano either. Hard to believe something as pretty could bring the end to so much. Loves the animals too.

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  26. Wow!!! I loved all the photos!!! I'm only surprised you rode a horse and not Bencio on the tour.

    And is that Miss Moorecock in the header. You know she always looks stiff and plastic.

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    1. Yes...she has been more stiff then usual lately.

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  27. How wonderful that you are back! We have certainly missed you!

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  28. I'm traveling with you next summer damn it.

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  29. I booking a trip...thats it.

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  30. I'm thinking we need to get out more. These are some spectacular pictures.

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  31. The pool and waterfalls are just stunning. Stunning! What a beautiful part of the world - thanks for sharing these photos. My absolute favourite is the little blue bird amongst the jungle branches and vines - such a beautiful shot. Well done!
    Your guide looks nice and sturdy (yum!) - If your horse had wandered off while you were swimming, you could have ridden Benico back!

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    1. Have I mentioned I like the way you think?

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Go ahead darling, tell me something fabulous!