COSTA RICA – On February 24 the Jupiter Christian senior class arrived on campus at 4:30 in the morning. With a 2 hour bus ride to Miami International Airport, the senior class was officially on their way to Costa Rica.
Day 1
On Day 1 the senior class landed in Juan Santamaría International Airport. After going through customs and international check, the senior class went onto two separate busses. After the long 4-5 hour drive to Arenal Volcano everyone got to eat lunch, go to a souvenir shop, and visit the first ox cart building station. After that short trip they went and took a picture at the biggest ox cart in the country. Then the ride to the hotel began. The girls got dropped off at their hotel, while the boys had trouble with theirs. The girls explored and got ready for dinner and the boys were still stuck on their bus. At dinner everyone sat in little groups and ate. After dinner there was a small devotion and after a lot of waiting the boys got separated into two hotels.
Day 2
On Day 2 everyone woke up early because there was a lot planned for today. First on the list was the 6,000-foot hike to a waterfall, so most of the people got up and ate breakfast. When everyone got to the hike, they signed a waiver and got wristbands. It was a long walk down the mountain to get to the waterfall but it was a beautiful sight. After a few hours of swimming the group stopped to see a sloth and then got back on the bus. The semi short drive to the lake next to Arenal Volcano was next! Everyone get separated into two groups, kayaking almost all the way around the lake. Everyone stopped to see some monkeys which began to throw stuff at them. The group messed around flipping each others kayaks, jumping off the water house, and racing each other across the lake. After a few hours everyone came back to land and ate the fruit that was provided by the workers. After the long day, everyone came back to the girls’ hotel, showered or went to the saunas. Soon dinner came around and everyone began to get ready to eat. Then, like the night before was a small devotion and then bed time!
Day 3
On Day 3 most people got up for breakfast. The day’s big agenda was zip lining! The group quickly got ready after breakfast and went to the fields. One group played soccer, another basketball, and four other small groups, football, baseball, running the track, and hanging out with the kids. Soon after everyone gathered to get on the bus again, heading over to get lunch. After lunch was a quick stop at the hotels for a change and we got back on the bus. After the long drive to the zip lining station everyone got off and began to be suited up. A quick zip lining test and up the mountain everyone went. There were 12 platforms starting at the top and ending at the bottom of the mountain. A lot of the group was scared to go on the Tarzan swing, a rope you get connected to and pushed off the platform to swing. Some words were said by both students and teachers, but the event was still fun. After the zip lining everyone waited and watched their videos on the tv screen before getting back on the bus. Back to the hotels and then back to the sauna, of course to get ready for dinner once again.
Day 4
On the 4th day everyone was to get their bags packed and on the bus, because we were changing hotels later that night. When everyone was done with breakfast they all gathered onto the buses. White water rafting was the plan for the day, the long bus ride being worth it! Upon arrival many people had to get their bags from under the bus so they could get what they needed from their bags. Everyone got taken to the other side of the street and suited up for the ride. After 8 miles rafting, sunburnt, and soaking wet everyone got off and took a bus ride back to the main building. Lunch was next on the menu, after quick showers and clothing changes everyone ate at the buffet looking out at the water view. After around an hour the bus was loaded once again and off through the mountains to the new hotel. Because of all the traffic they arrived a little late, waiting to go inside to quickly change for dinner. When arriving at dinner everyone went up the mountain and picked their seats. Once everyone was there they were directed to an outdoor dance floor where around 9 dancers spent up to 30 minutes dancing for the group. Once the dancing was over they were open to pictures and the meals began. After a peaceful dinner most of the group went down to the side of the restaurant to take group photos. Arriving back at the hotel at around 11:00 the group was tired, with a few events happening everyone went to sleep very late.
Day 5
On Day 5 it was 8:00 in the morning that everyone got on the bus. Off to the airport they went. With a long drive through the mountains again, a little bit of rain, and sight seeing, the bus came to a surprise stop at a fruit house, a place where fruit is grown and sold for tasting by tourists. After trying around 10 different fruits the senior class got back on the bus to head to the coffee and strawberry shops. A quick drive to the strawberry shop first, trying cakes, cookies, and other delicious snacks with the main ingredients as strawberries. Soon after that, the class took about a 15 minute drive to the coffee shop, with a beautiful view of the mountains and a small waterfall down below. After around a 3-hour drive the senior class arrived at the airport. Going through the bag check, and finding the gate, most of them went to go and find places to eat. About an hour later the plane began to board. With a 3-hour flight back to Miami Florida the senior trip was coming to an end. After the 2-hour drive back to campus the Jupiter Christian School seniors put their bags in their cars and went home for a good night sleep.
