Vivien, second from left, and her fellow travelers managed to stay in their raft throughout their whitewater excursion on O.A.T.’s Costa Rica: Pura Vida & Rainforest Discoveries adventure.
By Vivien Zielin, 3-time traveler from Pacifica, CA
The following is an excerpt from Vivien’s travel memoir, Eyeballing Big Croc: Chasing Dreams Around The World.
The Río Sarapiquí appeared gentle and friendly as we splashed aboard the blue rubber raft, looking like five ladybirds with our orange lifejackets and safety helmets. We clasped our short red and yellow paddles as we waited for directions from our muscular, stubble-cheeked Costa Rican instructor.
With a “right paddle, left paddle,” we were off, floating on the current of the gently flowing pebbly river. The rainforest, with its multitude of colorful birds constantly landing by the riverside and chattering monkeys swinging from branch to branch, was a delight for city eyes.
“This is the life,” proclaimed Virginia, looking up at the blue sky at a pair of toucans flying overhead.
“What’s that noise?” asked Carol, as an audible roar began to build.
Vivien’s memoir chronicles her “personal odyssey” of travels around the world.
It grew louder and louder as the raft began to bob and bounce and the friendly river started to swirl and snarl.
“Hold tight everyone,” yelled Javier, our instructor, “there’s a few rocks and a small drop in the river up ahead.”
Nothing like understatement! It appeared we were approaching some fast running rapids.
“Brace yourselves,” shouted Javier, as a plume of foaming water lifted us up and swirled us around and tossed us like a discarded cork, back and forth.
Adrenalin flowed. It was both terrifying and exhilarating as we gave up all attempts at paddling and just shrieked and held on to the side of the raft, watching the raging water and flying foam splash over the side and soak us. We zigzagged along, somehow managing to stay in the raft and not be thrown out.
Then, as suddenly as it had started, the roaring subsided and we were in calm, flowing waters again. The river was once more our gently embracing friend.
Brace yourselves for a wild ride on the Río Sarapiquí when you join O.A.T. for Costa Rica: Pura Vida & Rainforest Discoveries.
