Day 3. Doing Rancho Margot

Rancho Margot.

This sustainable, organic ranch is located in just about the middle of nowhere. It is on the shores of Lake Arenal with a backdrop of the stunning and powerful Arenal Volcano. A visit to the ranch can include as little or as much as you desire. The community does join for meals with a delicious buffet of foods to choose from. We stayed in one of the cabinas on the farm. It was located high up in the hills, meaning a nice long uphill walk through lush vegetation while viewing birds, animals and flora along the way.

One must remember that a visit to a RAIN forest, might include....RAIN. So, unlike me, it might be wise to pack a light rain jacket and maybe even long pants and long sleeves. If you choose not to (AKA have to forget to pack something), take it from me, you will hear about it, and probably many more times than just once from at least one small child.

For our first morning on the ranch, the family and I decided to split ways. I mean, really, we'd seen enough of each other by just by the time stuck together on the flights. So when the chance of going to yoga-yoga outside in the rain forest, next to river, presented itself to me, I didn't hesitate much. While I was out in nature gaining inner peace, Eric and the kids headed to farming duties where they helped to milk the cows. Ella flat out refused to do any milking as "that would be gross to touch a cow's boobs." So after city girl met the country, we reconvened for breakfast which included lots of pinto gallo, cafe, fresh yogurt and fruit, much of it productos del rancho! Delicious!

After breakfast, and of course, a little hula hooping....what, you seemed confused....just watch the video....we made a last minute decision to go on a horseback ride up into the hills to a mirador (lookout point).

We met up with Allejandro, our guide for the ride. Allejandro was nearly smitten with our kiddos, or at least he acted like he was, which of course made me smitten with him as well. In addition to charming all three of our kids, he also let me practice my Spanish on him, and even without laughing at my expense. Claire, my horse lover, decided these horses seemed a bit too big and scary choose to share my saddle instead of her own. So we set off! The trail ride gave us encounters with birds and our first sightings of monos! The Holler monkeys were high up in trees and not making much noise but were still a treat none the less. On the later half of the ride, the horses must have known they were nearly done working and picked up the pace. And, in Ella's case, a bit too dramatically. A runaway galloping horse wasn't her idea of a great vacation memory. And, when her horse finally obeyed her reins she exited her saddle for the safety of Allejandro's. We did all arrive back at the horse barn with smiles on our face so I would say it was a success!
































































To see LOTS MORE photos, CLICK HERE

Following our horse tour of the countryside we headed to a natural hot spring to soak our now numb hindends. That is up next!