Costa Rica 2014: Manzanillo by bike

Manzanillo by bike, a great lunch, a cool stop on the way to hear howler monkeys. I have heard them clearly without my processor. After that we headed for La Fortuna where we did zip lining, horse back riding and white water rafting down Rio Balsa.

Rio Balsa, one of the rivers that flows into the Caribbean Ocean. 70% of all of Costa Ricans electricity is generated by hydroelectric dams. In this area of Costa Rica the government lets the days water out of the dam about 11am. By 12 noon it's time to air up the rafts and helmet up for level one to three rapids. Level 6 is the hardest rapids so these were a challenge. It was an exciting ride and we made it down without any serious injuries.
I find it amazing that even after the water has generated 70% of the countries electricity, it is used again to gain revenue by taking tourists down the Rio Balsa where the Maleku tribe lives and runs a business renting horses back up to the start of the zip lines. The Maleku tribe is an indigenous tribe that numbers a whopping 250 full blooded members. Mixed Maleku number around 1250. They train the children very young how to live off the land, how to preserve the resources that the earth has given to them. They start working on art very young and sell it to the tourists that come down the zip line.

Bird photo op, Great Egret (Ardea alba)

Break time on the Rio Balsa, fruit fresh from the area

Samantha and Ludrick showing some of Costa Rica's rhythm

On our way out of Cahuita

Dr. Terdal having a "post rapid" beverage.

Here is the map of 9 zip lines we took through the canopy of the forest. Could you do it?? I discovered I could with no injury!! We were well instructed and everyone had fun!!