"No, the volcano will not be erupting tonight."

And we are back online, after an incredibly long day. Parents, your children should be exhausted. I have no idea what you feed them at home, but I can hardly stand on two legs by now and they are all excited, chatty, and ready for the next adventure. After 14 hours. On the go. But then, I bet you know that already!

Today was a double-header. Many of us went white-water rafting, about 20 minutes from the hotel. A friendly group of river guides quickly prepped the kids and we were in the Sarapiqui River in minutes. The students were VERY happy that we let them form their own groups - each chaperoned, of course, but all spirited. The river was beautiful, winding through jungle, farmland, and some eco-lodges. The water was extremely low, which makes for a different kind of challenge. Kingfishers and swallows swarmed around us in the early sun, and students intermittently fell into the cool water when it was safe. The company took pictures of each boat at various waterfalls. I am going to post one that happens to have me, your faithful correspondent in it, but only because it is the only one I have so far!

After rafting we headed straight for lunch. Well, the road was relatively straight, but in this land of few highways, a two-car pile-up locked up the road for 45 minutes. Lunch was served in the shadow of Arenal Volcano. The non-rafting group had some time in town and really enjoyed it, then left ahead of the second group for a quick stop at the very pretty hotel. Our rooms are all open to the view of the volcano, which is only a few miles away and very impressive up close. There are two pools, huge beds, and jacuzzi bathtubs. And two other EF tour groups!!

The next amazing place we went after we had settled in was a visit to Baldi Spa - a series of semi-connected spring-fed pools that extends for half a kilometer up the edge of the volcano. For three hours, students swam in pool after pool, ordered virgin pina coladas by the bucketful, and just had a great time. Each pool was a bit different, some sizzling hot, some relatively cool, and all full - a very popular spot indeed. I had some delightful, extended conversations with some of your students, and I saw that so many were just glad to be relaxing and chatting about whatever 8th graders chatter about. We raced back to the hotel in time for an 8pm dinner and then curfew reminders and off to bed!

Tomorrow we split into two groups, one going to the La Fortuna water fall and one to lake kayaking. After lunch, we reverse the two, and then get our second night here in La Fortuna/Arenal. Should be yet ANOTHER action-packed day. Till then!