Today, the last real day in Costa Rica, was all about relaxing. A bit of work this morning with coffee then breakfast then sunning by the pool overlooking the central valley. I really enjoyed sitting on the hillside in the hot sun with the cool breeze. Around 2:00 this fun started to wane and I wanted some exercise so I joined my family for a hike to the waterfall. after all of the lush rain forest we have been in, we were a bit non-plused but it was still a lovely little walk down the trail marked “easy”. Well this did not entirely suffice for the exercise I was seeking so my 10 yr old nephew and I decided to then take the trail marked “steep.” as he remarked on several occasions, “they did not lie” After trekking down and down and down in the hot sun and only just beginning to hear the other cataracts below us, we decided to turn back. How did I go from chillin by the pool Hollywood Hills-style to “I’d like a nice brisk walk” to end up in the scene from Kill Bill when Uma Thurman is walking up the 10000 steps to the temple of her kung fu master? I even carried a bamboo staff which my “ninja” nephew had abandoned to my capable, if somewhat shaky hands. (I had skipped lunch…not a good idea).
After surviving this ordeal I had to hike yet another mile to the restaurant on the hill. I entered the lobby as if I’d just hiked the Andes, all sweaty and red and asked for a diet coke and some water…STAT! I was offered Diet Pepsi instead but I was in no position to quibble as this was an emergency.
After this things settled down considerably. I washed up in the ladies room and returned to eat a very civilized salad. After this late lunch, shower, short chill and off to the spa for a quick scrub. I will not do a full review on the experience as I’m exhausted but let’s just say the phrase “water-boarding” kept springing to mind.
Alas it was a splendid day and a splendid trip. I feel healthy clean, rested and nourished. What could be better?
Pura Vida,
Nicole
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Nicole Cutts, Ph.D., CEO
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202.669.5777
