Adrenaline Rush in Costa Rica: Ziplining and White Water Rafting Adventure

And don't forget the Pura Vida!

Pura Vida, friends!

My husband and I just returned from a week-long adventure in Costa Rica. This trip was unique because my husband gifted it to me for my 60th birthday—which, by the way, isn't for another few days. I'm still 59 until Saturday.

Let's not rush things.

To start this story, I have to begin with this: Pura Vida. "Pura Vida" is a phrase in Costa Rica that translates to "pure life" or "simple life." It is a popular expression that reflects the country's laid-back, friendly, and optimistic culture.

After getting picked up from the airport, our driver took us from San Jose to La Fortuna. He instructed us to use this phrase liberally. It applies to almost everything, so it was a quick way to ingratiate ourselves with our hosts. People also always smile and say it back.

Our hotel in La Fortuna was in the rainforest. If you've never been in a rainforest, this is what it sounds like.

Even though we went during the dry season, it rained. They don't have four seasons as we do in New Jersey. They have various degrees of wetness. So dry season means the least amount of wet.

We enjoyed temperatures in the high seventies here. The air got humid right before it rained, and then sweet relief. Pura Vida!

Since it was "my" vacation, as my husband called it, our schedule was action-packed.

On the first day, we went white water rafting. If you know anything about white water rafting, they grade the river by difficulty level. I told the river tour guides we were beginners, and they were confident that class 2/3 would be suitable.

We were soaked within 30 seconds of our journey down the Balsa River.

My husband and I took the brunt of the waves, shielding our young 30-something shipmates from Sweden. I impressed upon these whippersnappers how noble we were to sit on the aggressive side of the boat, but I don't think they appreciated our valor.

It was a rough ride but beautiful and exhilarating. 

Talk about staying in the present moment. You had no choice but to wait for your next breath. 

I am grateful for my body’s flexibility as our captain yelled to sit on the edge and quickly jump into the hull, back and forth, as we navigated the haystacks and holes. 

Haystack: A wave caused by fast water running into a slower current due to a drop in gradient that makes for big, fun waves with no obstacles. 

Hole: Also known as a hydraulic or reversal, a place where water drops over a rock and curls back on itself, creating aerated, frothy water.

So much yoga happening on that raft. 

We made it in one piece. Afterward, we visited our captain’s farm, where we met goats, pigs, a yak, and four-day-old sheep.

Capitalism is alive and well in Costa Rica.

A photographer captured us in various moments of being soaked and gulping for air. That was also our purpose for visiting the farm sales booth. For $40, we could buy a digital remembrance of our wet and wild journey, which we declined. You would have loved to see those, but remember, this is a free newsletter. To witness us soaked and bedraggled, you must pay for that privilege.

The next day we ziplined through the treetops of the rainforest. 

Spoiler Alert: we survived. 

I had a lot of head junk about ziplining. I dwelled on it for the weeks leading up to our trip. I knew I'd be highly disappointed with myself if I chickened out. 

All my worries and anxiety before the trip were worse than ziplining itself.

Once we were at the park, I put it out of my mind. Instead, I concentrated on our nature tour, which included hanging bridges. I didn't think they were scary at all. A tourist I met later mentioned that people were jumping on the hanging bridges, which would have made it much less enjoyable. I’m glad we had calmer sorts on our tour.

Next, we got fitted with harnesses for ziplining. Young Costa Rican men were fitting bodies of all shapes and sizes, clasping, clipping, and closing hooks. You weigh a lot more when they’re done with you.

Altogether there were seven lines. The first one was short and designated as a practice run. The guide hooks you to the line and tells you to sit down and hug your knees into your chest. Then he pulls you back and lets go. You're off!

On my second line, I braked too early and had to do a hand-over-hand maneuver to get myself to the end. The guide was not happy with me for stopping early. 

I got it the next time. 

Even after the lengthy instructions about how to stop properly during our five-minute training, they didn't actually want us to slow down at the end of the line.

You should simply allow your body to slam into the stopper at the end. 

Yes, you go 90 mph into a foam baffle and abruptly stop.

It’s a jolt.

Pura Vida!

I’m sure you would have liked to have seen some pictures of that. Again, that would have cost me another $40, and this newsletter is free. Sorry. In other words, Pura Vida!

Here are a couple more photos that I took myself and no charge to you.

Moss grows on all sides of the trees in the rainforest. In the United States, moss only grows on the north side of the tree.

This beauty is a Helconia rostrata, also known as the hanging lobster claw or false bird of paradise.

A feathered friend breakfasted on delicious papaya while I drank fresh coconut milk. The milk sipped directly from a coconut is 1,000% better than what you buy in the supermarket.

Hope you enjoyed the first portion of our trip. Stay tuned and remember to pause, breathe, and Pura Vida!