Stage 15: Bathing at the Waterfall

After spending the night in the tent, we realize the next morning that all of our wet clothes, including shoes, have not dried. Chris still puts on his damp shoes, but I opt for the trekking sandals. Today, we also take advantage of the luggage transport, which brings our friends' luggage to the next shared destination, Esquipulas. We'll be traveling 13 km downhill on a rough gravel road, which is no fun at all with sandals. As a contrast to yesterday, the sun is shining brightly today, finally giving us a glimpse of the Pacific. Along the way, we pass by small waterfalls and streams with crystal-clear water. We notice that we are now at an altitude of about 500 meters, as the plant and animal life has become noticeably more tropical. The incredibly loud chirping of the cicadas and the shimmering heat emphasize this once again. Just before reaching our destination, two geese in front of a house start honking and try to scare us away. Here in Costa Rica, we've already encountered all forms of guard dogs, but guard geese are new. We arrive in the small town of Esquipulas around noon and check into our accommodation, Chorro Ecolodge. It consists of a large safari tent with real beds, making this glamping experience much more comfortable than the alternative campsite. Additionally, it is located in a beautiful area with tropical plants and a view of the river. I've never had a better view from a toilet or shower! But before we refresh ourselves in the cool water, we have lunch with the Urritrek group, where we get to observe a majestic toucan, specifically a keel-billed toucan, stealing fruits from up close. We quickly grab our large backpack (which, of course, has arrived in the other camp typical of Costa Rica) and put on our swimwear to hike down to the waterfall, which is directly below our accommodation. We reach the waterfall by crossing some rocks, which flows into a natural pool with several cascades and where you can swim in refreshing water. We can enjoy this gem undisturbed, as there is no sign of any human beings nearby, unlike other bathing waterfalls in Costa Rica that are hyped as insider tips. After today's rather average stage, this was certainly the highlight of the day. After a refreshing shower, we relax in the hammock chairs, which are attached to a wooden platform with a view, and can truly unwind to the sound of birds and the rushing river, especially since we are the only guests here. In the evening, there is a little excitement. We had actually arranged for a dinner with a family in the village, but when we arrive there, the gate is locked and the owner is nowhere to be found. Apparently, the construction workers who were still working on a house on the property mistakenly closed the gate, unaware that there are guests today. After searching in the dark for an alternative exit, Chris finally climbs over the gate to get the keys, as there is no cell phone reception or internet here. After a hearty meal with delicious fruit juices, we have a little chat with the local family and are proud of ourselves for the conversations we can now have in Spanish after two weeks. Tomorrow will be the final stage of our journey, so we go to bed a little excited.