Paddle Hard!!
Trip Start
Sep 01, 2005
1
28
163
Trip End
Dec 04, 2006
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Pacquare River, Costa Rica
Thursday, November 3, 2005
Having stayed up all night partying at the local club and dancing to reggaeton in San Jose, I managed to hotfoot it back to the Hostel at 7am for the Whitewater Rafting tour on Pacquare River. The bus took 3 hours to reach the top of the river but seemed like seconds as I was able to get some much needed shut eye. Stopping off for breakfast we hiked down a VERY steep path to river. This was by far one of the best things I have done in Costa Rica. The river was a class III-IV and stretched for 18 miles, you can do the conversion. The ordeal took 3 hours and we were constantly in awe of the lush green scenery, waterfall after waterfall we passed and a couple of times got close enough to feel the force of the water as it impacted onto the river. The wind was so intense and the mist that you could hardly keep you eyes open. The rapids came thick and fast, the waves were thundering and mean, the drops hulking and sudden. There was this one drop that almost capsized the boat as we were at an 65 degree angle! I feel out of the boat and in a moment of pure adrenaline kept hold of the safety line and was pulled back into the boat by my crew members. "Forward paddle, Paddle hard!, Left Back!, Lean In!....." The commands came thick and fast by the professional staff and at no time did we ever fell like we weren't looked after. We also saw an Indian house, made out of sticks in the shape of a pyramid, nestled on the riverside, cool! These guys live in the reserve cultivating bananas among other things. Rain poured throughout the 3 hour journey so you could only imagine how wet we got! Highly Recommended and definetely will do it again in the future, I only wish I had a waterproof camera to catch the moments for you all and we did have a professional photographer who took photos throughout, he would paddle up stream and the set up camp, snap a photo and catch up again. These guys had it set up good, I have nothing to compare this experience to but other rafters who are guides back home say it rates among the best of them. Absolutely Amazing!
After it all we were treated to a buffet lunch and given a chance to view some of the photos taken on the big screen. Offered a service of a burnt photo CD delivered to you hotel it was very tempting, but alas for $40 I would be happy just to recreate it through this entry.
I realised that the best thing for a hangover is to throw yourself onto a boat and surge down some intense rapids whilst the rain blankets out the air!
Made my way back to Costa Rica and am so glad to leave on such a good note....Panama here I come!
