Today I went tubing. We left early in the morning and then we travelled to this place where we were going to go tubing. On the way we saw 2 banana trains. These were mules pulling bananas on a track system through the banana plantation. Imagine a rope tow being pulled by a mule. That was pretty much what it was except the track stayed in place and the bananas moved instead of the other way around.
We finally got off the bus somewhere at an undisclosed location, just kidding, but I really have no idea where it was, we got on this cart that was pulled by a tractor. It was just this set of benches on a trailer being pulled by a tractor. There came a point when we were going up the hill that I wasnt sure we were going to make it, but it was like the little engine that could I think I can, I think I can! We had to cross streams, rivers, mud puddles, climb hills, go down hills, and a little bit of everything. There came a point when we crossed a river that was probably about 18 inches deep, and it looked like the water was going to come onto the trailer, but it didnt. We had to dodge trees too, and if we werent careful we were going to get hit in the face with the trees.
We then made it to this lodge area where we all left our dry clothes, and took a bathroom break. Our tour guide called them Shakespeare stops, To pee or not to pee, that is the question We then got back on the tractor and ventured to where we were going to go tubing. Part of the adventure was merely getting to the tubing place. Once we got there we were all given helmets and life jackets. We were given a safety briefing and then we were to get into our tubes. We got into our tubes and we had the oars, and we tried to avoid rocks, but it was inevitable. There were SO many rocks that it felt like no matter what we did we always got stuck on a rock. Sometimes we would be going pretty well for a while and then just hit a rough patch. Other times we would hit the rocks and just bounce off of them because we had enough momentum.
Whenever we got close to the edge we just kind of let the tube take us wherever it wanted to go. We tried to maneuver it, but it was pretty much impossible (at least for us). When we were in between rapids we got out of the boat and swam. It was too hot to just stay in the boat so we would get out and put our heads in because it felt really good, and the current would still send you in the right directions. Some parts of it were less than 2 feet deep, but at other times I couldnt touch the bottom. It really depended on where you were in the water and how close you were to shore. Once we got most of the way down the river there was this calm part where we all put our tubes on the rocks and went swimming. This was pretty hard because there was a strong current so if you werent careful you were going to float away and next thing you know you are much further down stream than any of the boats.
After we went tubing we went back to change and then we ventured back to the bus on the little engine that could. We then went to the village where the people that owned the tubing company lived, and they had prepared lunch for us. Lunch consisted of rice, beans, chicken, plantains, and for dessert rice pudding. I learned that rice, beans and chicken are pretty much a staple of Costa Rican food, but every time they are cooked really differently so even though it is the same food, it doesnt all taste the same.
Once we were done eating, the woman guide from tubing showed us some of their traditional dances. They were really cool to watch, and then they asked some people to participate. I just watched, but I had fun taking pictures of people! We then headed back to the boat. By the time we got back it was about 1600, and we were told that we were going to get back at 1400. I dont think they should have made the trip any shorter, but I think they should have adjusted the time that we were going to get back.
After I was back I walked around Puerto Limon with some friends just to see what there was in the town. We did find an internet café, but we didnt go into it because we didnt want to be gone too long because it was almost dinner time. We also found a few souvenir shops and a grocery store. While we were walking around a woman came up to us and asked us how to get back to the ship. At first we couldnt figure out why she wanted to go to the ship, but then we realized that she was crew for the ship, and she had been walking around, but had become disoriented, and you cant see the boat from the city, so we pointed her in the right direction. It is weird seeing crew when they arent in their crew uniforms. We then came back to the ship because it was dinnertime, and guess what was for dinner? Pasta, potatoes, salad, fish, pork, and vegetables. Surprise!! Just kidding. That is what we have every night, except some nights it is chicken or beef instead of pork. After dinner I came back to my room for a little while, but I was going to explore the town later with some friends. I started doing things, but then I became really tired, so I took a nap and then we went out again to see what was around. We didnt stay out very long, so I still went to bed pretty early because I knew that I had to get up early again the next morning.
Saturday, June 4, 2011
June 2, 2011
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