QUETZAL BUSQUEDA, CABALLOS, CATARATAS

After an eventful dinner full of laughs last night, we headed to bed for an early morning. We left at 5:30 am for our Quetzal Quest. These beautiful birds feed on avocados around that time of morning, so that’s when we set out to find them. We saw both males and females making Papa very happy. He took lots and lots of pictures. Unlike the females, the males have long feathers trailing behind them that are gorgeous. In addition to the birds, Nana found some unique moss on the trees.

Following breakfast Papa headed out on another bird tour, and the McDonalds went on a horseback ride / hike to a waterfall. The horseback ride turned out to be very real and maybe not so beginner, but it was super fun. We started out on the main road and then turned on to a path through the forest. The horses took us through narrow spaces, river (4 times), hills, mud, and rocks. When we arrived at the hiking trail, the horses were tied up and we continued on foot.

It was only about a mile walk to the catarata (waterfall). There was a bridge that allowed us to walk right over the catarata to the other side. We then slid under, around, and over rocks to a cave right next to the catarata. It was very unique and fun, unlike anything I have done before. We hiked back to the horses where we remounted and began the ride back.

This time we stayed on the road and went much faster. The horses walked, cantered, and ran. Every time the horse started going I’d just bounce up and down really fast. The guides spoke very little English, if any, so I got a lot of practice with my Spanish. The ride for sure created memories and stories for us all. A ride we will never forget.

For the afternoon and evening we will all relax, read, take a nap, play games, and Papa will probably take lots more pictures. The clouds of the cloud forest have set in, so tonight’s activities will be done in a cloud.