Laguna de Hule is breathtakingly beautiful. Yesterday (February 16, 2007) Cristian and I made a day trip to the crater lake located a mere hour from Ciudad Quesada. After soaking in the view and eating breakfast at the overlook restaurant, we slowly inched our way down the crater rim in my Isuzu Rodeo. The road is not maintained making it a technical off-road experience. Your vehicle has to have decent height or will be constantly bashed by large rocks. Once safely parked at the lake's rim, Cristian and I inflated our kayaks and explored the cystalline waters. The lake, formed an estimated 15,000 years ago from a volcanic explosion, has a depth of some 35 meters at the southern end. The surrounding rainforest is protected as the Bosque Alegre Wildlife Refuge. Kayaking from one end to the next, we heard the screech of Howler monkeys and observed cichlids swimming amongst the water lillies. We had the lake to ourselves. With the intense blue sky, incredible scenery and profound tranquility of nature, I felt utterly relaxed and at peace.