Top Of The World, Ma!!!

Well, not exactly the top of the world, just closer to the top of the volcano. Still the image of James Cagney burning at the end of White Heat did cross my mind.

I guess this view of the volcano from the hotel wasn't good enough, we had to get closer.

Peek-A-Boo


The journey started out ominously enough when we came across this eyelash viper (Phylum - Chordata, Class - Reptilia, Order - Squamata, Suborder - Ophidia, Family - Crotalidae). Bar Man tries to educate.

Eyelash Viper


He was lurking in a stone wall not far from the path we would take. If he wasn't enough of a warning, there were more to come.

Looks Promising


I Get The Point


Enough Already


This was starting to remind me of some bars I have visited.

We did finally get underway and began our somewhat arduous climb.

Rocky Mountain High, Kind Of


And who do you suppose that was bringing up the rear?

Who Else


As you can see, it wasn't exactly a walk in the park. Well, yes it was, but not a park park. You know what I mean.

Walk In The Park


On the other hand, after clambering over piles of rocks the view was spectacular, more rocks.

Rock On


If I hadn't made the climb I would have missed seeing the wildlife though.

Wildlife At The Top


But, I am being a bit cynical. The view was really nice. You got a good look at Lake Arenal, which we would be crossing the next day on our way to Monteverde and a cloud forest.

The Mysterious Chinese Woman's sister joined us on the trip and here we are posing for pictures at the top. That is Lake Arenal in the background, but you probably guessed that already.

Postcard Perfect


Turning the other way we did get a nice look at the volcano though.

Arenal Volcano


It was well worth the climb because the view was so much better than the one from my hotel room.

View From My Room


It really was a fun climb. You could hear the rocks booming as they were being blown out of the top. This thing erupts all of the time and has been since 7:20 A.M. on July 29, 1968 when the west side blew off and destroyed two villages, Pueblo Nuevo and Tabacon, killing 78 people in the process.

One night we went to the side facing away from the hotel and saw a bit of the lava that periodically spews out of the three openings. Not too long ago the lava flowed down the side facing the hotel. That would have been a spectacular view on a clear night. The lava flows down in different spots at different times, not unlike the way melted wax flows down different sides of a candle as it burns.

Tomorrow we head to Monteverde, founded by Quakers in 1950. Stay tuned and I will tell you why they settled there.