Costa Rica day 3

What an exhausting day! We woke up to pouring rain that continued through mid morning. Welcome to the rain forest, right?!

Cacao fruit

We began the morning with a tour of a rain forest chocolate 
plantation. We learned the history of chocolate and how it goes from the fruit on a tree to the chocolate we purchase at the store. The tour guides broke open a fruit and only the brave tasted the white pulp that is formed around the cacao bean. They said the pulp was slimy but sweet and ended with a bit of fuzziness. Notice I said they, I was not one of the brave. Once the fruit is opened, the pulp is put into a fermentation bin for 7 days until it's ready to be dried and roasted. Once roasted they break open the outer shell to reveal the cacao nib. We watched as they demonstrated how they separate the nib from the broken pieces of shell. Then they ground the nibs forming a paste. We were able to put the paste in water to have a bit of hot chocolate. They then took the paste and melted it down to a liquid form and we were able to dip our spoon in the chocolate and add various candies, marshmallows, seeds, and flavors. Several took many turns running their spoon through the chocolate and tasting a variety of flavors. We had a great time and most took advantage of the flowing chocolate put in front of us. 

We spent the rest of the morning at the Arenal waterfall, which was UH-MAZING! We had to walk down 545 steps to the base and I do NOT mean standard steps. NOPE! The steps varied in depths, steepness and levelness. And when I say 545 steps, I mean 545 steps. I know because I counted. Those of us who are vertically challenged had a much more difficult time than others. The journey down the steps and the journey back up the steps was a difficult one and we were all huffing and puffing and our legs were jelly but in the end it was worth having the opportunity to swim in the river at the base. 

After lunch we spent some time around Fortuna Square shopping, sight-seeing and some POPS ice cream before heading to Arenal lake for kayaking. We even managed to see a sloth just relaxing in a tree on the way. I think I was more excited about this than the kids though. 

Arenal Volcano from kayaking

Once at the lake everyone partnered up for a 2 man kayaking adventure and just as we were ready it began pouring again but it didn't stop us. There were lots of turning in circles and flipping over until they finally got the hang of it and started communicating with each other. At one point they were able to get off the kayak and swim around and just have fun. 

We then took off for the hot springs and I was thinking a natural spring on the mountain somewhere but we were all SHOCKED to be at a HUGE resort! Baldi resort was UH-MAZING! That's twice today that I've used that word but it really was. There were so many pools varying in heat levels and most pools had some sort of waterfall or beds in the pool for relaxing. It was definitely difficult keeping up with the boys as they ran from pool to pool. I am so very thankful for Mrs. Torres and Mr. Cody. They have been troopers and my saviors on this trip. 

​We are exhausted! I do not think anyone will have difficulty sleeping tonight.