After staying several days in Potrero we drove to La Fortuna, which is in the middle of the country, at the base of the Arenal Vocano. This is the best picture I could get of Arenal because there was constant cloud cover.
Map of Arenal, Lake Arenal, and La Fortuna
Although newly paved, the curvy narrow roads through the mountains were a little treacherous.
Midway through our four-hour drive to La Fortuna, there were vendors at the top of a mountain road selling their crafts.
The temperatures there were quite a bit cooler than the 90's we were used to in Potrero, and the wind was pretty strong, but the views of the valley and Lake Arenal were breathtaking.
While staying in La Fortuna, we took a day trip to Arenal 
where we hiked down to La Fortuna waterfall.
La Fortuna Waterfall from a distance
Matt and Brei
Brad and Me
Walking on one of the many hanging bridges
View of the water below from the hanging bridge
Once at the bottom we had to wade through the river (with a ton of fish) to get to the waterfall.
Waterfall viewing point
Brad and me
Debbie and Les
Brei and Matt
Matt and Brei swimming near the falls
The rest of us, except for Brad, also tiptoed over the slippery sharp rocks and jumped into the cold water!
But you couldn't get very close to the falls because the current was so strong, it would just push you away.
After spending a good amount of time at the falls it was time to hike back up the steep trail to the top.
Our guides had freshly cut pineapple waiting for us!
I ate as much as I could because I am so obsessed with pineapple. Our guide told us that the pineapple we eat in our grocery stores in the states are picked green and then sprayed with chemicals before being shipped in boats so by the time they get to the stores they are "ripe". But Costa Rican pineapples are ripened the right way...with natural sunshine (no wonder they taste so good!)
After getting some of nature's nourishment,
we took a scenic tractor ride and nature walk through the jungles of Arenal,
to the dwelling of the Maleku Indian tribe, which still exists today.
On the way we saw many different animals like wild turkeys, and sloths (the black dot in the middle of the trees is a sloth sleeping).
Another sloth that was just hanging around scratching himself (our guide said he was playing the guitar).
The "animals" at the top of this platform are called zip-lining-enthusiasts.
The trail was paved by the most beautiful tropical foliage...
and an abundance of fruit trees, which the tribe still uses for an important food source.
The different Maleku huts
Interesting thatched roofs that served as shelter, for many years, from the frequent rains.
Matt and Brei walking into the main hut where we learned all about the Maleku people. This is also where they sold their carvings, which is how they make their living now days.
The hut where they carved, out of balsa wood (plentiful in this area and one of the lightest species of wood), statues, water bottles, bowls, and other brightly painted items...
The names of all the Arenal Indian Tribes
Brad demonstrating how these particular items were used
Drum with a snake-skin top
One of the women playing the drum
During the presentation our tour guide was the interpreter
They then passed around some kind of mystery drink that they made there, and everyone was supposed to drink it after chanting something in the Maleku's native tongue (luckily they gave us water after someone in our group said we didn't drink alcohol)
A native woman and her daughter in their native clothing 
The clothing was made from the bark of a tree
It was so interesting learning about the Maleku tribe, and seeing what life would be like living on the side of a volcano!
After visiting the Maleku tribe we had a delicious lunch, back at the base of Areanl, which included beans, rice, seasoned chicken, fresh fruit salad, and fried plantains.
After trying to take a close-up of this Praying Mantis on Debbie's hat, it jumped on my phone and about gave me a heart attack!
Our excersion to Arenal & La Fortuna Waterfall was wonderful, but as the tour group was heading for another two-hour nature hike and hot springs, Matt bravely mentioned that we only signed-up for a half day, so the bus took us back down to our car. It would have been nice to spend the rest of the day and evening up Arenal but we still had a couple hour's drive to our hotel in Liberia.
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