Rafting

I received my wake up call in time to be out in the lobby waiting for my pick up at 6:30 AM. The rafting company shuttle bus came very promptly, and I was introduced to one of the guides as I boarded with my luggage and settled in for the hour and a half drive out to the first stop for breakfast. Along the way, we were given instructions for rafting as well as some safety tips. After a hardy breakfast, we set off for another 45 minute drive the rest of the way to the river put in. We put on the helmets and life vests and were off. Our rafting guide was very knowledgeable, and was training Maricela in guiding as well. She delighted to share with us her love for the outdoors and the river, and it inspired us all to look forward to a great rafting trip! After rafting some great rivers in the Pacific Northwest, I must confess that the Pacuare far surpasses by previous rafting trips. The constant rapids make for a consistently thrilling ride, and the build up with smaller rapids at the beginning to huge rapids at the end leave little time for flat water in between. The passing of blue morpho butterflies at constant intervals, as well as the birds overhead make the scenery itself worth the trip.

At the river's take out, we piled back into the van, and I met up with a private driver to head for Selva Bananito Lodge. We drove 1 ½ hours to the rendezvous point at Salon Delia, a small tavern/restaurant in Bananito town where I transferred to the pickup truck which took us the remaining 7 kilometers on extremely bumpy road! Arriving at the lodge, a welcome cocktail and hearty dinner was waiting for me, after which I settled into my beautiful wood bungalow overlooking gorgeous views of rainforest.