On Monday 13th October 2008, 21 L.I.S. students from years 10 and 11, accompanied by Mr. Kirkby and Mrs. Hindley set off from Freeport International Airport for a Costa Rican Adventure! We were met at San Jose Airport in Costa Rica by our guides and bus and we were off. After a 2 hour drive, we arrived at the local office and the first part of the adventure began with a 5 mile hike, up and down steep trails into the campsite in the rain forest.

This initial hike tested our stamina and despite the rain and darkness that was quickly approaching, we made it to camp. After a delicious traditional Costa Rican meal, we all went to our rooms, took lovely cold showers, and were in bed by 9pm, as the generator was turned off, so there was no light.

The next day, after breakfast, we set off on a hike through the rain forest and learnt a great deal about the flora and fauna on the way. We saw some huge trees with great buttress roots supporting them, plus the walking palm tree, and the much talked about eyelash viper! We also saw a natural hot spring, where the water was boiling in the stream, naturally heated by the hot rocks below. After the hike, some students swam in a nearby lake, and others relaxed in their bunks.

The next morning, we were up bright and early and after breakfast were hiking back down the path to the bus – at 7.30am! We then drove to the next location at the foot of the Arenal Volcano. After a visit to a waterfall and a swim in the river, we arrived at our hotel. The location was superb; little bungalows set in landscaped gardens, with an unrestricted view of the volcano, which was constantly letting out steam from the top. At night, we could see the red glow from the lava flow. The hotel had a hot tub, which the students enjoyed relaxing in, and from the hot tub, they saw a large family of howler monkeys in the trees.