A few days ago, we decided to push it for walking distance. First we walked all the way to the end of the town, a good three kilometres and then took a trail heading up a small mountain that is home of one of the two Canopy Zip-Line Tours. Along the way, I saw this tree which appeared to be dead for the most part. But somehow, it wanted to defy its fate and two new shoots were making a valiant attempt to bring the tree back to life.
We got to the end of the town and crossed the highway and began to climb. Just as we began the climb, we came across this old, abandoned villa which had these two life-sized statues which picture a man and a woman from Costa Rica’s past, before the arrival of the Spanish in 1502. Back then, the women were in charge of society.
We made it about a kilometre up the trail when we came upon a look out point that was very ornate. I guess this photo doesn’t exactly show what the look out, but it does show some of the interesting workmanship that is part of the structure.
This is a much better shot to show you the scene from a second look out at a point another kilometer up the trail. We recognised this place as what we could see every time we walk the beach.
But of course, I didn’t only take photos of structures made by man. I did take pictures of these ants busy at work and some butterflies and other scenes. I almost got a photo of a beautiful small bird that was a glowing set of blue-black hues that were almost fluorescent.
About two and a half kilometres up the trail, we came across a wall which was built to hold back the side of the hill so that the trail wouldn’t be closed because of rock and mud slides. All along the wall, all kinds of scenes of local animals and strange figures were etched into the wall. Monkeys, jaguars, crocodiles, birds and more. Even a few scenes with people, scenes which showed the original inhabitants.
Close to the top of the mountain we came across another place we had seen from the beach. However, it wasn’t a lookout, it was a luxurious home that spoke of someone’s wealth with all kinds of winding stairs, hidden rooms and balconies that hung over open space. It is now abandoned with only the structure left standing.
We figured that this would be a good place for a photo of the two of us. It’s a good thing that cameras come with delayed timers so that I can get into the picture with Maureen from time to time.
With the photo done, we continued to the top of the mountain, a distance of just about 4 kilometres. We climbed up from sea level to about 240 metres or almost 800 feet above sea level in the process. With the mission accomplished it was time to make the 7.5 kilometre walk back to our villa. It was a good day.
Enjoyed another great bunch of photo’s. Loved the surf.