Heaven in the pools

The noisiest place on the continent seems to be here. The rain was bucketing onto the roof, the traffic on the main road right next to us continued into the night and then at some god forsaken silly hour the restaurant next door bought its own set of noise. But I did manage some sleep and at least feel refreshed. 

Most of the others are off hiking, rafting or something equally as strenuous with a few hanging out like me. 

The township was a 2+ km walk away and although a gentle walk downhill the humidity and heat saw me arriving in town dripping in perspiration. I made a beeline for the chocolate/coffee shop having been told that they do great coffee. Let’s see. 

The chocolate range was huge and I have a wee pineapple choc stashed for later. My chocolate mousse arrives. It looks pretty. I’m sure there is nothing Costa Rican about it and it sure as hell isn’t a Mousse from our lands but as solid as a piece of concrete but with a nice rich taste. 
The coffee looks superb. It was just an OK. Luke warm, bitter and weak. Certainly not up there with some I’d had further north.  The Chocolate Cafe has not excited me so I go in search of something better. 

I didn’t find a better coffee but whilst trying to dodge the rain I stumbled across a place that advertised “tipica comida” typical/topical/local food. Bingo, a pork chop with “Jamaica” aka hibiscus. I don’t know if it was topical/typical/local or anything else but it was great. The Hibiscus is lovely in a drink and even lovelier when cooked with onions in this divine sauce. Yummo. 

Soon it was time to head to the pools with a couple from the group. I had googled Balti Pools and it looked amazing but what we had in front of us was just divine. 

About 10 different temperature thermal pools with swim up bars, some with underwater loungers, great music and amazing service. 
Just as we arrived the heavens opened up and instead of just mineral water feeding the waterfalls we also had rainwater sneaking through the roof and pummelling everything it found. The noise of the rain was deafening. The spectacle beyond description. The video wont load here but check Facebook. The best I can do is a screen shot from the video. 

The waterfalls provided the best massages ever, warm water pounding down on our head, shoulders or back was like being beaten with love. It was heavenly. 

There was even Santa and a nativity scene on hand to make it more real. 🤣🤣

The pools were heaven. We spent about 4 hours moving from one to the next, enjoying bar service and not long before we left a chocolate brownie with the sweetest strawberries I’ve ever had. What a way to finish off the day. 

Just as we are ready to leave the storm has started again. It’s awesome. Sadly I’d got changed so couldn’t sit in the pool with the rain coming down. 

Back at the hotel we all sat for a while and with one of the group I had a lovely basic meal of shrimps with meal before I called it a day. 
The pineapple chocolate with my nightly cuppa was the ‘icing on the cake’. 
The pools were magical and a wonderful way to chill out and spend a day.