USAC Weeklong Trip

This past week has been one of the best weeks I have had. We had a week long break and USAC (my study abroad program) organized a trip that was optional, but 39 out of 42 of us went. 

Tuesday:

-5:30 in the morning we meet

-Take the bus across Costa Rica to the east coast and board a water taxi on a river

-Take the water taxi for an hour and arrive at the Pachira Lodge which is a hotel/resort in the middle of the jungle on the river. Fresh blended drinks were placed into our hands upon arrival

-Got into our rooms, which are a network of buildings throughout the property and then swam in the pool and played around for a couple hours

-Took a water taxi across the river to the town of Tortuguero, where we walked around and explored. This town is awesome, only a couple hundred yards wide with one side the river, and one side the ocean. The only way to access it is by boat and its main economy is tourism, but it doesn't even feel too touristy.

-Dinner back at the hotel and then more festivities into the night. It was my birthday at midnight, so I got sung happy birthday and got a poem recited that was made for me. It was so so nice, I was really touched.

Water taxiing

Cool little carvings along the way

Arriving at the hotel

Back porch for our room

Tortuguero Beach

The town of Tortuguero

Wednesday:

-It is my birthday!

-We started out with a boat tour through the canals and I got sung happy birthday again when we were loading up. The canal tour was pretty cool, saw some iguanas and other animals, and then it started to downpour. We all got our ponchos on and chilled, it was actually one of my favorite parts of the tour. Welcome to the rainforest! My favorite part was seeing a 5 foot long iguana up high in a tree.

-Got back, chilled for a bit and sat in rocking chairs on the back porch overlooking the rainforest. Got to see some monkeys passing by and sloths hanging out!

-Next was the "hike" through the forest which was a nice little walk, but we had to wear rubber boots since it was so muddy. This was pretty fun and interesting, although we didn't see a lot of wildlife. I ate some termites as well! Not bad..

-Dinner came and I got sung happy birthday yet again, and even got a cake from the restaurant! I have never been wished happy birthday and sung to so many times, it was really special.

It was so cool looking when it was raining, pictures dont do justice

Find the insect!

Socratea exorrhiza - walking palm tree. It walks towards the light by killing its roots on one side, then re-growing roots on the other side that reach into the ground and pull it back up. If you look here you can see the right root coming down, and the tree leaning over (resting on another tree) at the moment.

Dannae just eating some termites. 

Night time taxi run to tortuguero for some birthday supplies

Thursday:

-Up bright and early to head to Panama. I wasn't feeling too hot, but by the time we got to the bus after the boat ride I was better.

-Took the bus to Panama border, and then lined up at the immigration station. After standing in line for a good 30-45 minutes, it was time to cross. Not to mention, a nice little rainstorm came while we were waiting which made crossing an old bridge with loose wet boards and gaps throughout all the  more fun. My hat flew off and is off to a new adventure. Luckily, it is replaceable. Made it across safely and another hour long wait on the other side.

-Finally ended and took a bus to another boat station to get to our destination. After another 20-30 minute boat ride, we arrive to this cool little town called Bocas del Toro. It consists of a main island that has the city, and then a whole bunch of other islands throughout that are literally mini paradises.

-Ate dinner at this really cool pizzeria and then watched a fire show there afterwards. Three guys were juggling fire and doing a bunch of tricks, it was really cool. 

-Got settled into the hotel and then ended up going to the bars and swimming in the ocean, since everything there is on the water. 

Hotel balcony. reminded me of my chico porch

Little gecko friend of ours

Fire!

Friday:

-Woke up and headed out on a boat to a couple different beaches. All beaches were straight paradise, but different from each other. 

-The first was private but had bars and umbrellas and chairs set up throughout. The water was perfect and the drinks were cold. 

-The next beach was a national park and had perfect waves! They were not too big, not too small, and I got to do the best bodysurfing I have ever done. I actually caught more than a couple waves and rode them in without getting water all up in my face! Got to drink sangria and hang out on a two story bar overlooking paradise. 

-After a lot of sunburn, we headed back and ate a fancy dinner at the hotel where I had a very nice steak and potatoes. Oh how I miss steak, it was so delicious. 

-We went to another bar that was completely on the water and had a pirates of the caribbean theme or something. It was pretty awesome to say the least.

-A couple of friends and I stayed up to watch the sun rise, but unfortunately there were too many clouds so we saw it get light out..

My first picture I had to pay for!

Saturday:

-Got to sleep in a bit and headed out far away to  a secluded island. 

-On the way, we stopped at this sweet lunch spot that was all docks on the water. We got to snorkel for a bit before lunch, and I saw some awesome fish and jellyfish and ocean plants. 

-Lunch was all seafood, and I ate calamari for the first time. It was actually really good...with a little mayo and lime

-After lunch we headed to the island which had nothing on it. The boat straight up drove up on the beach and we got out. I snorkeled for a good hour or more and didn't see as much as the first spot, but it was so cool to just float around in the water suspended and able to breathe!

-I walked around the island with a friend and it took less than 30 minutes. That is how small it was!

-Afterwards, I was exhausted and we came back to the hotel to another great meal that consisted of filet mingon and potatoes. It was pretty much the exact same as the night before, but I could eat steak every night. Especially if its perfectly cooked filet mignon. Went to bed early, as I was too exhausted from the day before.

 

Lunch spot

Me flipping off some buds

Cheers Panama!

Sunday:

Travel day. Luckily the weather held up on us at the border crossing.

All in all it was such an amazing week with amazing people. I enjoyed every minute and could not be more stoked on how everything worked out. It was so nice to not have to plan anything and just go with the flow. I hope you enjoyed my pictures!