Horseback through the jungle

We had signed up for a day trip on horseback to the Haru falls. We got up early to head over there, and George, one of our hosts (Australian guy, was a captian for private yachts for years) led the way. Unfortunately, along the way, my bike, which had kind of been losing parts and functions along the way already, finally gave up the ghost. Stalled out going over a bridge and wouldn't even try to start again - the battery was totally shot.

Since we only had a few minutes to get to the horeseback place, we left the bike next to a house nearby (whose owner George knew), and headed up the hill on one bike.

The ride, of course, was filled with gringos (what self-respecting Tico would pay $40 to ride a horse around for the day), but luckily most were about our age and interesting. They break the ride up nicely - you ride for about an hour through the jungle until you come to a house in the middle of nowhere with a covered patio and about a dozen tables. They feed you breakfast while you check out the toucans, parrots, and agouti's they keep on the property.

Then you head off again for another hour or so, winding up at an absolutely spectacular waterfall. The pool at the base of the falls is deep and cool, and a great place for swimming. The cliffs alongside also provide for great bouldering, with a soft (if wet) landing if you peel off. One of the young guides climbed about 30 feet up the cliff and then excecuted a perfect "cliff dive" complete with the outstretched arms. No way! Jason executed a back flip off a lower ledge. My hero!