A website for updates, stories, pictures and videos from the 2009 GCCS senior class trip to Costa Rica!

Mini-Updates (via Twitter)

Monday, May 25, 2009

Flight info for tomorrow


DELTA 416 LV SAN JOSE 1247PM
AR ATLANTA 657P

DELTA 2000 LV ATLANTA 915P
AR COLUMBUS OH 1050P

Latest Pics - Tortuga!!

Here are the pictures from our excursion to Tortuga Island today. It's a really fun trip, and the island is beautiful. But it is also a long day, so we are all very tired, and ready to come home. Luckily, we get to sleep in a bit tomorrow, and our flight leaves around noon. I'll try to re-post the flight info in case anyone needs it - for now, pictures:

Sunday, May 24, 2009

Pics from the last couple of days



Video of the Tarzan Swing

Here are some videos from us going on the Tarzan Swing -





Saturday, May 23, 2009

Arenal!!

I simply LOVE this part of the trip. It is a long bus ride (4 hours)
across the country, up and down mountains. But it is so worth it. The
volcano is inspiring, the waterfall is gorgeous an the hot springs
just melt away the stress.

We are all having a magnificent time. No one is ill or hurt in any
way. We have had great meals, clean hotels, and fantastic tours.

I will try to upload a few pictures tonight and write a bit more.
Right now, it's dinner time at the hotel :)

To the Volcano!

We are going to Arenal today, stopping off at the town of Zarcero. It will be a long bus ride, but very much worth it. Our hotel at Arenal is beautiful, tropical, outdoors, and very relaxing. We will enjoy the waterfall, hot springs, zip lining, and then stop by the orphanage in Fortuna on our way home.

Last year I wasn't able to get internet on this part of the trip, so you may not see/hear from us for a few days. But we will be back Sunday night, with great stories and more pictures. So stay tuned!

Thanks to everyone who has left comments - it's a joy to read them and know that people are following the trip and praying for us. It makes a huge difference. We have been safe, healthy and happy so far- praise God!

Friday, May 22, 2009

Rafting Day

We survived the river!! Actually it was an amazing day full of adventure. We couldn't take too many pictures, and none digital because of the water. So you will have to settle for a long blog post....

The day started early with the Adventure Naturales tour company picking us up at the hotel at 6:00am! It was an hour and a half drive to breakfast up in the mountains with great views of the volcanoes around the country. We enjoyed gallo pinto (traditional Costa Rica rice and beans) for breakfast, and then drove another hour or so to the river. We parked the buses and then it was a good 10 minutes downhill hike to the river where we met our guides. The "K Hos Crew" was all able to stick together for the trip - 6 of us in a raft with our guide, Louis (who has been guiding down this river for 15 years!)

We went down the Pacuare River - 18 miles, 450 meters in eleveation change, class ii, iii and iv rapics, about 4 hours on the river. For several in our roup it was their first time white water rafting ever. And it was a great time! Big waves, lots of water, full of adventure. We really had a blast. And no one in our boat was tossed out unexpectedly! We all stayed in, paddled hard, and made it through the rapids.

We stopped about halfway through the the trip to have lunch on the river - plenty of fruit, tortillas and some pasta salad. Then we finished up and drove the 3 hours home.

Tonight we were able to relax, enjoy a nice dinner and group devotions (led by our guide, Jimmy Lizano). After dinner we walked to the McDonalds on the corner for ice cream, and then relaxed by the pool again. We are enjoying the sites, the experiences, the conversations, the food, and the amazing adventure of Costa Rica!!

PS - sorry for no pictures - the links to the websites should have some so you can get an idea of where we were.