Volcano Numero Dos - Costa Rica

On our hike in Arenal Volcano National Park, (the day after Poas) it felt like we were entering the terrain from the movie, 

Honey, I Shrunk the Kids! The path led us through grasses that were towerring over our heads, the vegetation looked as though it could consume us, and some of the trees were huge!

Our guide told us a fun fact about determining the age of trees: it can't be done based upon looking for rings in the cut stump because there are no seasons in the rain forest by which to guage age.

The hike was pretty easy until we reached the last stretch before the stopping point to pose for this picture with our group.

That's the Arenal Volcano behind us. Not erupting, but not dormant either. Reportedly, it smolders incessantly and at night one can see the red glow of spewing red hot lava.

Later this day was a highlight of going in a Sky Tram (some chose to zip line as an option) to get a closer look at the volcano and rain forest canopy below.

I made a new friend on the Sky Tram!

He turned out to be the zip line launcher.

The views from the top were awesome.

And the views looking down over the tops of the trees weren't too shabby either.

Believe it or not there was more adventure to come later this day: the hot springs! Perfect for easing the bones and joints back to pre-hike condition.

Those are concrete beds right in the water. The hot water is provided by underground lava connections... How cool, er hot, is that?

Coming: our lodging in this area and how it reminded me of Bachelor in Paradise.