Rafting Rapids to Relaxing on the Caribbean

From Monteverde, Connor, Jesse, mother and I all took a jeep-boat-jeep to La Fortuna, in hopes of seeing Volcan Arenal; the most active of Costa Rican volcanoes. We took a mini van to the lake, boated across the lake in a wee boat, and then another mini bus into La Fortuna. It stayed cloudy while we were there, so no lava was seen, but we did go to a very large waterfall. The biggest I have seen probably, at a whopping 72m high! Furthermore, the water was the coldest that I have swam in while in Costa Rica. Hotsprings were very expensive, and volcano tour was out of the question, so we lazed about, played cards and drank beers.
The next day, Mom and I took a bus to La Virgen in the Sarapiqui area, and Connor and Jesse took on to San Jose, to meet up with a hopefully healthier Nathan.
We stayed in a very nice place called Rancho Leona. It was very relaxing, and just a short walk from the Sarapiqui river. We explored a little bit that afternoon, including a visit to the Butterfly Gardens. That evening was full of Cribbage, beer and nachos, before falling asleep to the gentle chirps of frogs and crickets.
The following day (Thursday), we went on a whitewater rafting tour through some class III rapids on the Rio Sarapiqui, with a french couple from San Diego, and a couple from Peurto Rico. It was a blast, even though me and the french guy both had our turns falling out of the boat. Our tour guide was great, and the fruit we had in the middle of the journey was mouth watering.
After we had finished up with our tour at about 12:30, the sky cleared and the sun came up. We played some scrabble and then walked to the river to watch the next group of rafters go buy. Like us, they had Kayak escorts.
After another night in the wonderful wood cabin type housing, we took a series of busses to get to Cahuita on the Carribean. On the way over, noticed that an Australian guy I had briefly met with Jesse and Nathan in Quepos was on the bus. Having the same final destination, we kind of buddied up for the journey.
The weather was a bit cloudy on our arrival, but the following day, the sun came out at full force. We took the bus down to Peurto Viejo to check it out, and had a good day on the beach. Despite all Moms sun smart, it was no match for way down south here, and she got the inevitable sunburn.
Another night in Cahuita, and we are now in Peurto Viejo for at least two nights. I tried some snorkelling in the reef today, but apart from a few tropical fish I saw, the visibility was not prime, so we lazed on the beach again.

Photos: At the bottom of the big waterfall.