Hanging Bridges

Tuesday, November 24, 2015
La Fortuna, Province of Alajuela, Costa Rica
It was a repeat of yesterday's buffet breakfast while bird watching. It is worth noting that the pancakes were really good and we don't think the locals ever eat pancakes!  A herd of seven horses grazed in an open pasture beyond the infinity pool and we decided to check it out right after breakfast. After passing through the gate, a trail led through the pasture to a beautiful mirador looking onto the Arenal volcano & lake, and valley below. With stone benches, tables and a four-sided arch structure, it was obvious this would be the place the Lodge would host weddings. Unfortunately, it could use a face lift, at least a coat of paint.
 
Just for background, the road to the Lodge from the main highway is very steep, curvy and constructed of cobblestone, from the gate all the way up to the lodge . Most stretches would be very difficult to meet another car. As the driver, it was quite fun, not sure the passengers would say the same. Well, we were down this road and back up an equally steep one to the Hanging Bridges by 10:00.  

The Hanging Bridges is a private park with 16 bridges, six of which are truly hanging over deep valleys, a couple of them are nearly a 100 yards across, and really get swaying if too many people try crossing at once. The admission fee was $24 for adults but Brennan was free. We had a great time, seeing: two families of spider monkeys, a rufus-tailed jakamar, and eight lizards.  From one of the bridges there is a beautiful, unobstructed view of Arenal. One of the trails took us down to the base of a spectacular waterfall.  

In the gift shop we got Brennan his second souvenir, a coin pouch that would attach to his belt. The clerks there also helped us identify the jakamar from one of our photos . Leaving the park, we drove the length of Arenal Lake to Nuevo Arenal with a brief and disappointing stop at Toad Hall. On an earlier trip, we stopped there for a great lunch while watching toucans from our table; new ownership, no restaurant and cool gift shop replaced with a tacky one! 

On to Nuevo Arenal, we had lunch at Tom's Pan (aka The Germany Bakery). For miles, the road signs advertise "German Bakery". We didn't notice until we sat down that the name was actually Tom's Pan, but a German bakery it truly was. Great looking stuff, the bratwurst sandwiches we had were on some of the best bread imaginable. Brennan had spaetzle and a bowl of red tomato sauce, that when combined, was excellent (think he may have licked the bowl)!

We were back at the Lodge before 4:00, played a couple hands of Crazy 8 with the new deck of cards we bought at Tom's Pan gift shop and then headed to the pool and hot tubs. While Sue showered, Grandpa and Brennan went up to the Lodge and played two games of pool - Brennan won both, fair and square .  

We had dinner planned, pizza back in La Fortuna at a place where we ate three years earlier. Our well-laid plans had to change because it was closed on Tuesday nights! We needed gas so we asked the the gas attendant for a pizza recommendation and, with no hesitation, he said Latina's Pizzeria. We were not disappointed. This is a local place, no tourists and pizza that was as good as any we had ever had in NYC!. Grandpa went to the market for a liter bottle of Imperial and Brennan had a Coca Cola. Although Grandpa offered Brennan some Imperial, he only took pictures with the bottle and enjoyed his coke!

On the drive back to the Lodge, Brennan was talking one minute and the next was sound asleep. Another full, fun and rainless day.  

Comments

2025-02-15

Comment code: Ask author if the code is blank