Into The Waterfall Mist: A Sleepy Journey

Immerse yourself in a tranquil Costa Rican rainforest, where a modern, glass-walled hut awaits, overlooking a cascading waterfall. Spend a leisurely late afternoon swimming in the jade-green pool, enveloped by the falls' refreshing mist. As night falls, lantern lights guide you to an outdoor rainfall shower, followed by a relaxing sway in a hammock chair, surrendering to the jungle's tranquility. Drift into a deep, peaceful sleep in a luxurious canopy bed, lulled by the soothing sounds of the waterfall. It's time to dream away.

Transcript

Thank you for joining me here in Michelle's Sanctuary where a vast collection of gentle sleep stories promises the most relaxing bedtime.

In a world that often rushes,

I invite you to slow down and simply breathe.

Subscribe to revisit this calm space anytime you need a peaceful sleep story.

Your comments are always welcome,

As together we create this sanctuary just for you.

In tonight's sleep story,

You are invited to a secluded retreat deep in a Costa Rican rainforest where a waterfall tumbles into a jade green pool and mist lingers in the warm fragrant air.

You are listening to Into the Waterfall Mist,

A journey through lush jungle paths leading to a modern yet rustic hut nestled among the trees.

Spend the afternoon luxuriating in the healing waters lulled by the tropical sounds and sussurating ferns.

As the golden light of day softens into the violet hues of dusk,

You return to the hut.

Fireflies glimmer and the scent of orchids and rain-kissed earth perfumes the air.

Lanterns glow softly on the wooden porch welcoming you into a night of deep rest,

Where the waterfall's gentle hush brings a night of deep restorative sleep.

It's time to dream away.

Welcome to Michelle's Sanctuary,

Your cozy corner for calm bedtime moments,

Where we'll journey together to a dreamy holiday.

I'm Michelle,

And you may think of me as a longtime friend,

Here to guide you.

My only intention is to help you unwind and drift into a deep,

Restful sleep.

This is your time to rest,

To recover,

And to discover bliss in the playground of your imagination.

Celebrate making it through another day,

Creating a gentle space between the day behind you and the sleepy road ahead.

Change any detail to suit your mood,

Knowing this is a fluid,

Dreamy practice full of possibilities.

You may welcome sleep whenever you wish.

Let's enjoy a few breaths together to deepen your sense of peace as we prepare to enter the heart of the jungle.

Open your mouth and sigh,

Releasing anything that doesn't serve your quest for coziness and a good night's rest.

Inhale through your nose,

Drawing in the humid,

Floral-laced air of the mystical rainforest.

Yawn and then sigh audibly as you exhale,

Imagining any tension dissolving like the pearly mist rising from the cascading waterfall.

Night in the jungle offers a time of renewal,

And you may revel in the sensory pleasures of this tropical oasis as I count you down.

5.

Attune yourself to the soundtrack of the rainforest,

The distant call of a tropical bird,

And the constant,

Persistent whispers of a waterfall against the smooth,

Moss-covered rocks.

4.

Your next inhalation is met with the warm,

Earthy scent of the forest floor and the sweetness of flowers as waves of undulating warmth travel from the crown of your head to the soles of your feet.

3.

Get cozier as you imagine stepping into a hidden glade where the waterfall plunges into a clear,

Cool pool and you feel as safe and at peace as you have ever felt,

Reminded the world is a beautiful place.

2.

Your muscles relax,

Melting as your bones sink deeper into the softness of this moment and the support of your bed,

The gentle sound of the waterfall,

Your constant companion.

1.

Feeling safe and sound,

One last yawn leads to a sigh that prepares you for the mesmerizing beauty of a hidden waterfall sanctuary.

More at peace than you were mere moments ago,

It's time for the story to begin.

I can see my rainbow calling me through the misty breeze of my waterfall,

Jimi Hendrix.

The most beautiful places that offer serenity often require a trek,

A bit more effort to get to,

But once you arrive,

The experience is more than worth the journey it took.

And one visit is enough to conjure a million revisits to memories worth more than gold,

Enhancing the dimmest moments of life with a simple reminder that this one precious life is a gift.

A journey within a journey.

You are nearly settled in paradise when a friendly local cabbie delivers you to a path near Arenal,

A dormant volcano in Costa Rica.

2.

All that remains is a hike beneath a dense emerald canopy to a beloved dwelling where souls travel the world to come and enjoy this peaceful escape.

The humid air carries the scent of earth,

Orchids,

And rain-soaked wood.

You step amongst colossal trees,

Their roots gnarled and ancient,

Their branches reaching toward a sky dappled with sunlight.

You can't resist resting your palm on their rugged,

Enduring bark and smile.

These trees are survivors,

Awe-inspiring and vital to the many creatures who call the rainforest home.

Each step forward brings a satisfying crunch of damp leaves beneath your hiking sneakers.

3.

You feel the gentle give of the rich soil as the rubber soles leave their impressions.

Dressed in breathable fabrics,

With a light-pocketed shirt and a backpack with all you might need,

You move at a steady pace,

Feeling the strength in your legs as the trail gently ascends.

4.

The rainforest pulses with life.

Scarlet macaws flash between the trees,

Their vibrant red and blue feathers standing out against the greenery.

The rhythmic chirping of cicadas weaves into the distant calls of howler monkeys,

Their deep resonant voices echoing around you.

A rustling in the undergrowth catches your eye,

A coati,

Its striped tail held high as it forages among the ferns.

A relative to raccoons,

The slender,

Monkey-like creature with a long snout pauses and peeks out,

Its coal eyes meeting your gaze with curiosity.

It gives a hump and returns to grazing,

Which you see as a welcome sign that you are considered non-threatening and welcome in his home.

5.

Breaking through the thick forest,

You step into an open stretch where sunlight pours down in white-gold beams.

Out of the shade,

You feel its intense heat like another climate altogether.

6.

You pause,

Inhaling deeply,

And feel the forest's breath mingle with your own,

A gentle reminder of the ancient pact where trees release life-giving oxygen for your lungs and your exhalations,

Rich with carbon,

Nourish their leafy expanse.

7.

This,

At a core,

Is what keeps us thriving.

The forest is quick to remind you with its looming canopy and gradients of deep greens.

8.

You pause,

Inhaling deeply,

And the faint,

Sulfurous scent of the volcanic vents 9.

Blends with the lush green aroma of the rainforest and the warm,

Mineral-rich earth.

The region is abundant with natural hot springs,

But today you find yourself seeking a cooler reprieve from the tropical air.

10.

As you continue,

The sound of rushing water grows louder,

Shifting from a distant whisper to a steady cascade.

The mist in the air thickens,

Cool droplets clinging to your skin,

Renewing and refreshing you.

11.

Through the foliage,

You see a rustic wooden sign with the name Cascada Azul,

Which translates to Blue Waterfall.

12.

Formerly a rustic hut,

Cascada Azul has been upgraded in recent years 13.

To allow its modernized design to exist harmoniously with the raw beauty of the jungle.

Raised onto stilts,

Spiraling dark stained wooden stairs ascend to the elevated entryway.

14.

As you climb,

You notice how the elegant curves mirror the natural contours of the surrounding trees.

15.

An outdoor wraparound deck offers hammock chair swings and plush floor cushions.

16.

You take in the heady scent of tropical blooms overflowing from large terracotta pots that line the railings.

Vibrant splashes of fuchsia bougainvillea,

Deep crimson hibiscus,

And the delicate star-like white of jasmine,

Cascada Azul seems to float above the forest floor.

17.

One entire wall is a seamless expanse of floor-to-ceiling glass,

A crystalline barrier that offers an uninterrupted panoramic view of the waterfall.

Like a living mural,

The misty,

Deep jade and aquamarine pool and silver cascade offer a mesmerizing view with a constant motion.

18.

The green backdrop of tropical flora enhances the sense that you are in paradise.

19.

You drop your backpack,

Feeling the weight release from your shoulders and the gentle ache in your muscles begins to subside.

20.

You explore the minimalistic yet elegant space.

Your home for this much-needed and well-deserved getaway.

Polished concrete floors,

Cool and smooth beneath your feet,

Reflect the dappled sunlight filtering through the glass wall.

Sun catchers dangle throughout the open layout,

Refracting the sunlight and leaving dozens of tiny rainbows on the walls and floor.

The furniture,

A blend of sleek modern designs and rustic handcrafted pieces,

Is made from sustainable materials like bamboo and reclaimed wood.

A plush yet low-slung sofa in a deep teal hue faces the view of the falls.

21.

You open sliding doors onto the deck to discover an outdoor rainfall shower overlooking a ravine.

The late afternoon air is thick with the perfume of a thousand unseen blossoms and you feel the forest calling to you,

Inviting you to revel in the last hours of sunlight.

Macaws,

With a plumage and a riot of crimson and sapphire,

Flash between the trees.

Tree frogs sing out,

Their vibrant colors popping against the dark bark.

With a longing to make the most of daylight,

You return inside the hut to pack for the waterfall.

A woven basket left by the caretaker sits on a polished stone counter and inside,

A late lunch or perhaps an early dinner awaits.

Tropical fruits,

Fragrant rice wrapped in banana leaves,

And small savory empanadas filled with local spices.

A note written in elegant calligraphy and handmade paper welcomes you and suggests you take the basket to the falls for a picnic.

You gather a plush towel in the basket and venture back into the forest with renewed energy,

Following the crescendoing sound of the waterfall.

The air grows cooler,

The mist a fine ethereal veil that clings to your skin and offers reprieve from the tropical air.

The rush of the falls,

A deep rhythmic pulse,

Vibrates through the ground,

Through the bottoms of your feet and up your legs.

Droplets cool and refreshing kiss your skin and land on your lips,

A stark contrast to the lingering afternoon heat.

The pool beneath the falls is a breathtaking blend of blues and greens,

Shimmering like precious gems as sunlight spills through the canopy and dances upon it.

You find a cozy nook surrounded by the thick waxy green leaves of ferns and a moss-covered stone where you place your basket and towel,

Deciding first to take a dip in the inviting pool.

You strip down to your swimwear,

Neatly folding your clothes and leaving your shoes.

You move with slow,

Deliberate steps as your feet land on the carpet of moss and take a narrow path beneath the falls.

You stand behind the curtain of water,

A shimmering veil of liquid glass,

A window that distorts the world beyond.

You feel instantly calmed by the pristine cascade as it muffles the sounds of the forest.

And in this moment,

Standing in the shaded sanctuary behind the waterfall,

You see rainbows through the silvery water.

Sunlight meets the mist to create these fleeting prisms that bounce to the pulse of the waterfall.

Far too many for you to ever count.

You come to stillness,

Deeply inhaling the flinty scent of the wet stones.

Enjoying this rare vantage point.

You extend your hands beneath the steady pressure of the water,

Which feels a bit warmer than you expected.

But once your skin is covered with its delicate mist,

A gentle breeze offers the cooling sensation you crave.

You continue around the other side of the waterfall to find a set of stone steps made by nature that lead down into the pool.

You get into the water however you wish to,

Perhaps using the stairs and gliding in,

Or taking a leap of faith and splashing into its depths.

The water is slightly cool,

But not shocking,

And awakens every sense as you fully submerge yourself.

You float on your back,

Listening to the delicate gurgles of the water as the world overhead is lost in a dreamy hush.

The roar of the falls becomes a distant soothing sound.

Although you can still feel the thunderous vibrations of it landing into the pool.

You continue to float,

With your eyes closed,

Feeling your body release all tension.

Grateful that you have made it here.

You feel so light,

So unburdened,

So carefree.

Each breath deepens,

Slowing as you surrender to the constant gentle pulse of the falls.

Time passes without urgency,

Without the relentless tick of a clock,

Without the intrusion of electronic notifications,

Without any awareness of time beyond the lowering sun.

When you finally rise up out of the pool,

Droplets glisten on your skin,

Cooling you as the warm air brushes against your damp body.

You pull yourself up onto an iridescent rock and make your way back to your towel and picnic.

You dry off,

And the sunlight angles perfectly to cover you with its warm light as it dips toward the horizon.

You spread out your towel and settle on it,

And then unpack the basket,

Rifling through the local delicacies.

As you eat,

A blue morpho butterfly flits past,

Its pearly wings catching the light.

A family of capuchin monkeys swings from branch to branch,

High on the other side of the waterfall,

Their playful chatter echoing through the trees.

Their mother leads them to a ledge,

And they bounce off,

Coming to the edge of the waterfall to splash and play.

You watch them with care as you finish your meal.

A sloth,

Its movements slow and deliberate,

Moves along a thick vine not far from where you sit.

The forest is alive with so many native creatures,

Concealed in its dense foliage,

Yet you feel their presence.

It comforts you and creates a sense of wonder as you rise and get dressed,

Packing up the basket.

The last traces of the fiery orange sunlight fade,

Painting the jungle in a soft twilight glow.

The path back to Cascada Azul is a gentle descent,

And the earth feels markedly cooler.

Solar torchlights illuminate the deck of the elevated hut,

Guiding you back to its comforts.

The humid air is rich with the sweet,

Heady scent of night-blooming flowers.

Fireflies begin to twinkle in the undergrowth,

Tiny beacons of light flickering with neon hope.

The thunderous waterfall softens into whispers with a constant,

Predictable rhythm.

As you ascend the stairs,

The sky deepens into breathtaking bands of raspberry pink and amethyst.

And the looming trees become shadowy silhouettes swept up in the tropical breeze.

You indulge in the outdoor rainfall shower before the night settles fully,

Washing away the earth and day from your skin.

The water is the perfect temperature and pressure as it flows over your scalp and down your shoulders and back and the rest of your body.

You lather with a locally crafted soap,

Its fragrance a blend of earthy patchouli and sweet ylang-ylang,

A scent reminiscent of the Costa Rican Flor de Mayo that blossoms after the first rains.

You stand beneath the water,

Peering up at an indigo-velvety sky now freckled with stars and featuring a crescent moon.

Toweling off for the second time today,

You feel clean and lighter.

The heaviness of the humid afternoon and your long hike now gone.

The air is now soft,

Comfortable,

And easy.

The breeze meets your face as you wrap a snug bathrobe around you and walk across the wooden deck,

Overlooking the waterfall and forest.

The netting wraps around you,

Contouring and supporting you in comfort.

As you gently swing back and forth,

The nocturnal sounds of the rainforest begin to warm up like an orchestra.

The rhythmic chirping of crickets,

The distant calls of nightbirds,

The soft rustling of leaves.

The sky above is a vast,

Starry expanse.

The Milky Way a luminous river,

Stretching across the darkness.

Your skin tingles with the cool evening air,

Your muscles relax completely,

And a sense of bone-deep,

Profound peace settles over you.

The gentle sway of the hammock,

The soothing sounds of the night,

And the breathtaking view of the starlit jungle bring a relaxed smile to your face.

You have earned this moment.

Nights like this are so rare,

So precious.

You linger outdoors,

Yearning to enjoy more of the stars,

The unique sounds,

The winds,

And the way you feel right now.

At peace,

Soothed.

Your muscles are so soft and relaxed that all tension is but a distant thought.

You would not even recognize the person you were before this holiday.

Sleepiness soon comes in waves,

As gentle as the breeze,

As you continue to rock back and forth in the swing.

You lower your bare feet,

And they brush softly against the wooden grains,

Bringing you to a slow stop.

You push yourself out of the hammock to find your balance,

To make your way back into the safe,

Cozy confines of the modern hut.

Once inside,

Ceiling fans circulate the night air,

And the cool tiles beneath your bare feet feel grounding.

You ascend the spiral stairs to a loft space below a cathedral ceiling with skylight.

Small fairy lights illuminate the way.

Your feet sink into a soft,

Fluffy ivory rug beneath the bamboo canopy bed.

The bedroom features dark ebony artwork with tropical flowers in vibrant,

Glittering pops of color.

There is an elegance to the rustic space,

A blend of moody jewel tones and polished wood.

Vertical ceiling fans swirl around an exposed wooden beam overhead.

As sheer canopy curtains billow in ethereal waves,

You pull back a bedspread and hop onto the bed,

Wrapping yourself in the crisp cotton sheets that were dried in the sun and smell like lemon and clean linen.

As you sink into the mattress,

The soft cotton against your skin is a sensation of pure comfort.

The gentle rustling of the canopy,

The distant murmur of the waterfall,

And the low hum of the fans create a bedtime soundtrack of peace,

Easing you into sleep.

Your body feels completely relaxed,

Your mind free of thought and your senses surrender to the tranquility of the night.

As you drift off,

The cool air a reminder of floating in the pool,

And the songs of the jungle help you to let go.

As you float between wakefulness and slumber,

And before you give in to the tug of sleep,

Your final thoughts of the day remind you that this is your paradise.

Your hidden sanctuary.

A place where your soul can find solace.

Proof that the world is abundant,

Beautiful,

And full of peaceful retreat.

Even those that exist only in your mind.

If only you take the time to seek them.

Finding bliss,

Finding restoration,

Finding sleep.

It's time to dream away.

Good night.

Reviews

Thank you, Michelle! Lovely, at least what I heard. 💙

Thank you for sharing your talent. Your stories are beautifully presented with your soothing voice

Awesome tropical adventure!
One of my former sales representatives remodeled a vacation home over 30 years ago, in Costa Rica. They called their future retirement home - Casa Tranquilo. Sadly, they decided to sell their dream home, after Hurricane Mitch dropped a massive tree onto their roof and completely destroyed their home. They felt very lucky that they were not there at that time.
They told me many stories of the beauty of this country & the kindness & community support of the people there.
I put your story on repeat & fell asleep quickly. Then listened to the whole thing, when I woke up this morning. As much as I am not a hot weather person, I would love 💕 to float in the cool jade green pool of water behind a cascading waterfall in this tropical country! Imagining myself there was both serene and magical! Thank you kindly Michelle for another lovely bedtime story! 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗

Costa Rica has been a long time dream destination for me. This story made it come to life so much. I felt like I was there at the waterfall feeling the mist. Plus, I could see all the wildlife and tropical plants. Thank you, Michelle, for your beautiful and detailed stories. I have been waking up in the middle of the night and your relaxing stories send me back to sleep.