Bienvenido a Centro américa

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 cof...

Costa Rica was supposed to be more refined than other places but if the roads in and out of Monteverde are anything to go by thats not the case. They are beyond atrocious even tho Monteverde is a major tourist resort. Gravel, potholes, narrow, windy, wash outs and at one stage goes through a stream.   We have seen wind turbines dotted along the landscape but driving past we realise how massive they are when up close.   Costa Rica does not have a defence force. The money saved instead has been spent on education. Its hard to compare it to the other countries we have been to as we really haven’t seen much of them but it is certainly more expensive with meals approaching NZ prices as some of the places I checked out. English is more widely spoken with most people knowing at least some.   We pile out of the van to change to a basic ferry to cross the lake from where we load up again for a short bus ride to La Fortuna. Its a shame its so cloudy as the scenery on the ...

The orhers were off and away before I sufaced after a great sleep tucked in under the blankets listening to the Wellington style wind whistling through the trees.  I was well refreshed when I headed off downhill to go exploring.  I returned to the centre we were at last night to buy a cheese board I had seen. Perhaps the best thing I’ve ever bought on a trip and hoping they don’t take it off me when I hit home. It’s wooden.  Moving on the first thing I came across was the frog sanctuary which would have been great at night as most of the frogs were nocturnal creatures. All were tiny wee things and all in cages because they were poisonous. The few that I saw were hard to spot and get a shot of but were too cute.  There was also a butterfly and insect display attached to the sanctuary and some of the moths and butterflies were out of this world. The huge insects were the best.  Each of those critters was palm size so would anyone a fright if they pounced on you....

Another extra early start so we coukd catch the ferry back to the mainland. Today the sun was shining and the sea was calm so it was a pleasant trip.  Into a new van we piled and drove to the Nicaragua border where we easily emigrated and had passports stamped. Carrying bags a short distance we joined the queues to get into Costa Rica.  Yay there are advantages to be the eldest on the trip. Deb and I got priority treatment in the ‘elderly’ queue and zoomed through immigration and straight to our bus waiting with air-con blaring. It was stinking hot.  After stopping at a shopping centre for lunch our trip resumed over gravel winding hilly roads till eventually we arrived at a coffee shop which was also the tour agency. Longing for a decent coffee I was first in line and as soon as they passed my flat watery looking espresso over the counter I wanted to cry. It tasted as wishy washy as it looked.  Having heard what was on offer for activities for tomorrow I was ready t...

Waking to the sound of the waves gently breaking on the shore was wonderful except that I did it multiple times during the night and just when I was starting to settle the kids next door put paid to that.   The price you pay for having a room that looks on to the shore and the pool. Once I gave up and made coffee at 6:30am they put music on loud enough to wake the entire place. So they woke me proper. Then all went quiet just when it was too late for me to go back to sleep. Murphy’s Law.  Both phone and wifi were very much hit and miss but sitting staring into a void and the lake was a tranquil way to spend a few hours.  I was looking forward to the hike this morning but it keeps raining in spurts and I was worried about slipping and sliding in the mud with my dicky knee so I am just going to do the pools later.  Hanging with the others before they left I enjoyed an omelet like never before. It wouldn’t have passed muster in a kiwi kitchen as it was ov...

Oh the smugness when most of the group are hungover from their night out last night and I stayed home, slept and woke up feeling great. A few heavy headed people joined the bus as we set off today.   It was a short drive to Cafe de las Sonrisas (Smiles Cafe). A cafe run and operated by deaf people. Before our meal arrived we were treated to a hammock making class. The hammocks provide income for their cause to support people with disabilites. We all had a chance to practice making a small contribution to a hammock. These guys (one of them blind) zoom along adding to the rows entirely without watching. Just by feel.  The kitchen crew are all deaf and you can see them communicating in Nicaraguan sign language. The tables and walls are decked with cards depicting SL letters and words. Very different to NZSL (which is similar to the UK and Australian version). A couple of the staff gave us a quick lesson in their language. I didn’t grasp any of it.  Breakfast don...