Apocalypse Now Tico Style!

Apocalypse Now Tico Style!, a photo by Sam Antonio Photography on Flickr.

“Never get out of the boat. Unless you were going all the way. Kurtz got off the boat.”

-Captain Benjamin L. Willard
Francis Ford Coppola’s “Apocalypse Now”

So there we were staring at the glossy brochure deciding between a class 2 & 3 white water rafting trip or a class 3 & 4. I looked up at my nephew, Richard, and we knew immediately were going to do the class 3 & 4. We didn’t travel all the way to Costa Rica to float down river like riding the “Pirates of the Caribbean” in Disneyland. We came for an adventure!

So the next day our adventure began on the El Rio Toro (the Bull River) with Richard and I sitting in the front of the raft paddling like mad while his wife, Cindy, was clinging on for dear life in the back. It didn’t take very long before I was catapulted into the water by some wild rapids. A baptism by near drowning.

Costa Rica near death experience #1.

After I swallowed nearly half a gallon (oops I mean 1.9 liters...metric system) of water, I was pulled back in the raft by Alex, our awesome Costa Rican rafting guide.

The heart pumping excitement was just beginning.

Halfway through the trip we “refueled” at a nearby river bank where the guides prepared some delicious tropical fruit for us to eat. With newfound confidence and energy we set out to conquer the rest of the river.

After a going through some treacherous rapids, we paddled down a calm section of the river. Richard then came up with a not so brilliant idea, he asked Alex if we could get out of the raft and float down river in our personal floatation devices (a.k.a. life jackets). Alex not only gave his whole hearted endorsement, but advised us to wait a little because further down river we could catch a class 2 rapid. As we quickly approached the rapids Alex revised his statement to a class 2+ rapid.

“Okay guys you can get out here,” Alex instructed.

Richard and I left the safety of the raft for the turbulent waters of the Toro River. I knew once I jumped in the rapids and let go of the raft I had made a huge mistake.

We were instructed at the rafting orientation that in the event we would find ourselves in the water to lie on our back with our feet straight out and not to try to swim and fight the river. Just “go with the flow” was the motto. All that went out the window once I hit the water.

For the sake of brevity I was thrashed, thrown, battered, beat-up, pulverized, demolished, pummeled, pounded, clobbered, jerked, trounced, pounded, bruised, hammered, assaulted, walloped, tossed around and worked over!

After bruising my tailbone, nearly twisting my ankle and ingesting many liters of the Toro River I could truly say I had “taste” of the real Costa Rica!

After Alex pulled me back into safety I regurgitated a good portion of the Toro River into the raft (sorry no photos).

Costa Rica near death experience #2.

After we finally got off the river we dried off, drank a beer, and had a pleasant Tico lunch at a nearby restaurant.

At the end of meal I approached Alex and thanked him for an awesome time.

As I handed him a tip I sarcastically said, “I paid you guys good money so I could kill myself!”

“You can tell all your friends when you get home that you survived a class 3 rapid in your PFD [personal floatation device]!” Alex replied.

“You said it was a class 2 plus?!”

Alex just smiled and laughed out, “Pura Vida!”

Costa Rica travel tip #1 - Never get out of a perfectly good raft.

Happy Travels!

Text and photo copyright by ©Sam Antonio Photography

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Pura Vida Costa Rica!!

Pura Vida Costa Rica!!, a photo by Sam Antonio Photography on Flickr.

I’m tired.

I just got done shoveling my driveway as we had yet another snow storm (hopefully the last one for this winter) here in Wisconsin. Yes, I know it is official spring, but we still have winter conditions here in the Midwest. As I was shoveling, it dawned upon me that I was in beautiful, sunny Costa Rica exactly one week ago where the average temperature was 80 degrees!

So that explains yet another extended absence from Flickr but this time I had a good reason, I was on an adrenaline tour of Costa Rica with my nephew, Richard, and his wife Cindy. From hiking an active volcano, having a near death experience while white water rafting, to flying through a cloud forest like Superman on a zip line, it was one nonstop adventure after another.

Arenal is Costa Rica's most active volcano and one of the ten most active volcanoes in the world. On our first full day in Costa Rica we took a sunset hike to the base of the volcano where we were very fortunate to get a clear view of Arenal. Our guide told us that the volcano is normally obscured by clouds so we were lucky to have a great view that day. Our timing couldn't have been any better since the next two days the volcano would be forever hiding behind the clouds. After the hike we rewarded ourselves by soaking in the soothing waters of nearby Baldi Hot Springs.

Pura Vida!

I hate shoveling snow and I miss Costa Rica!

Happy Travels!

Text and photo copyright by ©Sam Antonio Photography

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Having a Sweet Time at the Pineapple Fountain

Having a Sweet Time at the Pineapple Fountain, a photo by Sam Antonio Photography on Flickr.

The Pineapple Fountain in Charleston, South Carolina is popular with both locals and visitors. Located in Waterfront Park overlooking the Cooper River, Charleston Mayor Joe Riley has named the park, “this generation’s gift to the future.”

I came to Charleston looking to photograph its beautiful antebellum mansions and to dig deeper with my camera into its rich history. The first day I got into town I captured my “trophy” blue hour shot and now I had to concern myself where I was going to photograph for a sunrise shot.

I spent the first morning along the Battery, Charleston’s most iconic spot, with views of the Charleston Harbor and gorgeous mansions. I didn’t get the sunrise shot I was looking for so I spent the rest of the day pounding the pavement seeking inspiration.

At noon time I was exhausted so I headed for the Blind Tiger Pub (a favorite of mine - sit out in the patio area and order one of their wonderful burgers). After I ordered I pulled out my Moon travel guide for Charleston & Savannah and lo and behold right on the front cover was a photo of the Pineapple Fountain! After lunch I strolled over to nearby Waterfront Park and upon seeing the fountain I immediately envisioned an exceptional sunrise shot.

This isn’t an HDR shot. It is one exposure refined with “Mr. Photoshop,” and with the kind assistance of Mr. EOS “king of the low-light cameras” Canon 5DMKII!

Happy Travels!

Text and photo copyright by ©Sam Antonio Photography

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Farewell Atlantic Ocean - Tybee Island Pier, Georgia

Farewell Atlantic Ocean - Tybee Island Pier, Georgia, a photo by Sam Antonio Photography on Flickr.

Eighteen miles separates the historic downtown district of Savannah from the quaint beach community of Tybee Island on the Atlantic. As someone who grew up along the Pacific Ocean, I tend to forget how enchanting the Atlantic Ocean can be.

This could be because I now live in a state where they consider lake water a “beach.” I miss the ocean and just hearing the waves crash is like a symphony in my head.

Another early morning along the Georgia coast and I found myself facing the Atlantic for the last time (at least for this trip).

There was nothing spectacular about this sunrise on that particular morning but the sight, smell and sound of the ocean soothed my soul and kept my shutter finger busy.

Happy Travels!

Text and photo copyright by ©Sam Antonio Photography

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A Great Way to End the Day in Wilmington, North Carolina

A Great Way to End the Day in Wilmington, North Carolina, a photo by Sam Antonio Photography on Flickr.

Beautiful Wilmington, North Carolina! No words can fully encapsulate such a beautiful city. Located between the Cape Fear River and the Atlantic Ocean Wilmington entices you with its distinctive architecture, friendly locals and historic downtown.

In the early 1980’s this sleepy little town was thrust into a new thriving industry - filmmaking. With such popular television hits like Dawson’s Creek and One Tree Hill and movies such as Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood, Forrest Gump, I Know What You Did Last Summer, Sleeping with the Enemy, Blue Velvet filmed here, Wilmington has garnered the name “Hollywood East.”

Restaurants, cafes, bars, historic buildings, stores and art galleries line the pedestrian friendly downtown riverfront district. Strolling the area one afternoon, I noticed these trees were strung with lights and I knew instantaneously that this would make for a great “blue hour” photograph.

Looking at this photograph brings back some great memories and a constant question - Why did I ever leave Wilmington?

Happy Travels!

Text and photo copyright by ©Sam Antonio Photography

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