We had an early start, beginning our day at 5am with a delicious breakfast before getting on our buses to begin our drive to La Fortuna. Before we arrived in La Fortuna we made our way to the national park (Rio Celeste Hike), where we went hiking along a muddy, rocky trail to see a stunning turquoise waterfall with clear blue water. Although the hike was challenging, the breathtaking view at the end made it all worth it. We also learned that the bright blue colour of the water was caused by the minerals at the bottom of the volcano.
Following our hike, we went to an indigenous community called the Maleku where they welcomed us to their restaurant. We experienced their culture through cuisine and got to witness a traditional Maleku cultural performance firsthand. We were able to purchase traditional Maleku art on dried fruit (like gourds) as a keepsake. From these activities, we got to interact and learn about the Maleku culture, history, and traditions, which allowed us to learn about cultures other than the ones we see in Canada. This opened our eyes to what actually happens in the real world.
We finished the drive to La Fortuna and made our way to dinner, where we got to enjoy our delicious foods and drinks before finally making it back to our hotel to sleep after the full, tiring day.
