Flying by the Toucan

As hard as it was to leave this beautiful mountain retreat, we were all excited to head to the coast. Before we arrived at the ocean, we stopped at Hacienda Baru for a visit to the Butterfly habitat and a slide on the zip line. Unlike other zip lines, we had a bit of a hike to get to the first platform. On our way, we were rewarded with several wildlife sightings. Little anoles scooted off quickly and we caught a glimpse of an agouti scampering away. We saw a sloth napping in the canopy and what would the Toucan Zip Line be without a toucan! A pair of Keel-billed toucans watched us hiking up to our first platform. Our guide Carlos had some fun with us getting us to try new ways to ''zip''. As exciting as it was, there is just something special ''flying'' along the tree tops in a beautiful rain forest!

After we said goodbye to Carlos we started off towards the coast. When we turned off the highway onto the dirt road, I smiled as I felt that feeling of excitement and anticipation going to a new destination. We passed a little cluster of shops and restaurants that were reminiscent of an old surf town. We continued along the Baru River until we reached our accommodations. The grounds were green and lush with a beautiful large pool. Our visit to the ocean will need to wait as the sunlight is fading, but cool pool, here we come!