We didn't start out too good today.... our 2 drivers had something for dinner last night that did not agree with them so they had a lousy night. The driver of my car had fallen in the night and hit her head so she had a blooming headache. After medicating and breakfast we loaded into the vehicles and headed to the hot springs..... a fellow traveller at the hotel told us how to get to the free hot spring the Costa Ricans go to instead of paying the $70 tourists get charged. And did we have fun..... then we split up and drove home on our own......
We had a craft class this afternoon...how to decorate a T shirt by cutting into it and adding beads or braiding the sleeves and hem....Walked to a Chinese resturant for dinner with a few others and spent the evening writing. Now I am caught up with the blogging.
Saturday, February 20, 2010
Day 52 Feb 19
Today was a free day and we, 6 of us tookoff to see the Arenal Volcano We had 2 vehicles and stayed together. Drove through a cloud forest, couldn't see 2 feet in front of your face. Arrived in La Fortuna about noon and decided to find a hotel before sightseeing. The Arenal Volcano Observatory Lodge was our first choice and after 10 killometers of washed out road we found they were full up....so back down the same washboard road halfway to a turn off to Another place that fortunately had 2 rooms left so we grabbed them...one for the girls and one for the guys! After driving those horrible roads we decided not to sightsee. We lunched and swam and hiked and read and prayed the evening would clear so we could see the magnificent Arenal Volcano. It didn't and We didn't!
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Days 49,50,and 51 Feb 16,17,and 18
We have had a very busy and long 3 days....
Tuesday we were picked up by the bus at 6:30 and taken east across the mountains. While riding along we learned a new greeting-Pura Vida. It literally means Pure Life but it's used as a greeting similar to Hi, How're you or How are things.....
We stopped at a favorite eatery and were served a typical Costa Rican breakfast of rice and beans, fried eggs, sausages, fruit and coffee.....then back on the bus and off the tarred roads, for a 2 hour drive, through Banana Plantations to get a boat to take us up a canal into the Tortugero National Pk, to an exclusive resort for a frog and butterfly walk and lunch. We were introduced to some amazing toads....a tiny(baby finger nail size) red toad and a bigger (thumb size) green toad that sits on the under side of a leaf, completely invisible, until he moves and then you see his red eyes and red toes....so cute!!! Another froggy is called a blue jean frog because he has blue hind legs and an orange upper half. As you might have guessed, I like frogs and toads....
The boat ride was long, about 1 1/2 hrs but there was lots to see...monkeys, alligater, many birds....warblers, egrits, and heron. We didn't get back until 8 pm.
On Wednesday, we hopped on the bus at 8 and had a bit of a city tour, the main attraction was the Opera House and a Museum that is housed in a fort that has bullet holes in the outside walls from some seige.... the museum was very good...explaining the history of Costa Rica. Then we were off to the rainforest and lunch(beans and rice, chicken, and fruit,) and a tram ride over the canopy.....pouring rain and wonderful...each buggy had room for 5 passengers and a guide. The guide was great and pointed out all the plants that are used for medicinal purposes as well as the multitude of other indiginous plants.... There were not too many birds because of the rain but we did see one hummingbird...blue and purple, and a bunch of warblers flitting in an enormous tree. It's amazing but our entire group was laughing and completely saturated at the end of the ride. We ended the trip to the rainforest unexpectantly by taking a small shuttle bus to the river and then walking across a swinging bridge to another small bus to get to our large coach bus. Because the river had risen so high it was over the road......that's how hard it was raining!!! We stopped at a grocery store on the way back into the city and I bought bacon.....the first we've had since Texas! So ofcourse Supper was bacon and eggs.....next it'll be BLT's!
Thursdsay, we were back on the bus at 8....this time on our way to the coffee plantations for a tour and a chance to buy coffee beans and other souveniers. We are spending too much time on this bus! Next we were hurried off to see the Poas Volcano, ofcourse it was pouring rain and we hiked about 30 minutes round trip to see the place where we should be able to view the second largest active volcano. We are now cold and wet and back on the bus to the LaPaz Waterfall Gardens. The trip was very exciting because part of the road had washed out and was very curvy and we are in a very large motor coach.....at one point we were hussled to the back of the bus so the driver could raise the front up enough to get around some boulders. The rain continued to pour while we ate lunch and then we had 45 minutes to either hike to the waterfalls or to walk thru the animal and insect section....I chose the animal walk and the cats, panther, oselot, cougars were beautiful, the frogs, snakes, and birds were great but best of all was the butterfly room! Butterflies of all colors everywhere...flitting all around, over and under us. You had to be careful not to step on one. Back on the bus and the long ride back to the campground.... The trip was too much to see, or not see, in one day and the wet and cold didn't help.... and then we got scolded for not keeping to the time schedule...Whose schedule??? Oh well!
Tuesday we were picked up by the bus at 6:30 and taken east across the mountains. While riding along we learned a new greeting-Pura Vida. It literally means Pure Life but it's used as a greeting similar to Hi, How're you or How are things.....
We stopped at a favorite eatery and were served a typical Costa Rican breakfast of rice and beans, fried eggs, sausages, fruit and coffee.....then back on the bus and off the tarred roads, for a 2 hour drive, through Banana Plantations to get a boat to take us up a canal into the Tortugero National Pk, to an exclusive resort for a frog and butterfly walk and lunch. We were introduced to some amazing toads....a tiny(baby finger nail size) red toad and a bigger (thumb size) green toad that sits on the under side of a leaf, completely invisible, until he moves and then you see his red eyes and red toes....so cute!!! Another froggy is called a blue jean frog because he has blue hind legs and an orange upper half. As you might have guessed, I like frogs and toads....
The boat ride was long, about 1 1/2 hrs but there was lots to see...monkeys, alligater, many birds....warblers, egrits, and heron. We didn't get back until 8 pm.
On Wednesday, we hopped on the bus at 8 and had a bit of a city tour, the main attraction was the Opera House and a Museum that is housed in a fort that has bullet holes in the outside walls from some seige.... the museum was very good...explaining the history of Costa Rica. Then we were off to the rainforest and lunch(beans and rice, chicken, and fruit,) and a tram ride over the canopy.....pouring rain and wonderful...each buggy had room for 5 passengers and a guide. The guide was great and pointed out all the plants that are used for medicinal purposes as well as the multitude of other indiginous plants.... There were not too many birds because of the rain but we did see one hummingbird...blue and purple, and a bunch of warblers flitting in an enormous tree. It's amazing but our entire group was laughing and completely saturated at the end of the ride. We ended the trip to the rainforest unexpectantly by taking a small shuttle bus to the river and then walking across a swinging bridge to another small bus to get to our large coach bus. Because the river had risen so high it was over the road......that's how hard it was raining!!! We stopped at a grocery store on the way back into the city and I bought bacon.....the first we've had since Texas! So ofcourse Supper was bacon and eggs.....next it'll be BLT's!
Thursdsay, we were back on the bus at 8....this time on our way to the coffee plantations for a tour and a chance to buy coffee beans and other souveniers. We are spending too much time on this bus! Next we were hurried off to see the Poas Volcano, ofcourse it was pouring rain and we hiked about 30 minutes round trip to see the place where we should be able to view the second largest active volcano. We are now cold and wet and back on the bus to the LaPaz Waterfall Gardens. The trip was very exciting because part of the road had washed out and was very curvy and we are in a very large motor coach.....at one point we were hussled to the back of the bus so the driver could raise the front up enough to get around some boulders. The rain continued to pour while we ate lunch and then we had 45 minutes to either hike to the waterfalls or to walk thru the animal and insect section....I chose the animal walk and the cats, panther, oselot, cougars were beautiful, the frogs, snakes, and birds were great but best of all was the butterfly room! Butterflies of all colors everywhere...flitting all around, over and under us. You had to be careful not to step on one. Back on the bus and the long ride back to the campground.... The trip was too much to see, or not see, in one day and the wet and cold didn't help.... and then we got scolded for not keeping to the time schedule...Whose schedule??? Oh well!
Day 48 Feb 15
Free day today... I took off with another couple in their small rig for a trip to the west or pacific coast. It was a beautiful drive on very narrow winding roads with great vistas right and left. At the coast we made our way south toward the town of Jaco and found a free beach so we played in the huge waves....quite a strong undertow. Had a picnic lunch and decided to drive north to find another beach. We checked in at the Best Western about swimming at their beach but they wanted $30 american per person which included lunch....we thought that was a bit steep. And we checked on another resort, Puerto Leona and they wanted $50. each. Continuing north, we arrived at the Port of Caldera, there were tankers and a cruise ship sitting in the harbor. We found a nice swimming beach, stopped and enjoyed some time there in the water.....arrived back at the campsite after dark, exhausted.
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Day 47 Valentines Day
Today we travelled to San Jose, to a real campground, and we will stay for a week! Pam and I were in the last group with 2 other rigs and we decided to take it easy since we were told that it would be a long wait when arriving at the campground..... each rig was to dump (gray and black water) before parking and that time was estimated at 15 minutes per rig. We were last so we stopped at gift shops and an orchid farm, and at pull-offs at the high elevations for picture taking.... and it worked because as we arrived at the destination they were waiting for us...
It is a very nice place with all the services we require plus shade although the temerature is now in the 70's.
It is a very nice place with all the services we require plus shade although the temerature is now in the 70's.
Day 46 Sat Feb 13
Travelling day.... left the campsite at 6:30. We needed to get thru granada and on the road before the town got busy with saturday shoppers because the streets are narrow and bumpy. We cause alot of commotion and obstruction with our big rigs.
We arrived at the border amid hundreds of trucks.....somehow we got to pass them up but it still took us 6+hours to leave Nicaragua and enter Costa Rica. We sat along side of the road and watched people in 90 degree heat, fortunately we were on the shady side of the road. And after passing thru we passed waiting trucks for a mile
Our campsite is a gas station/truck stop just south of Liberia....about 50 miles from the border. Our first real meal of the day was at Burger King. A #3 meal with cheese cost 2700 colones....about $4. Nice to have some flavors of home.....
We arrived at the border amid hundreds of trucks.....somehow we got to pass them up but it still took us 6+hours to leave Nicaragua and enter Costa Rica. We sat along side of the road and watched people in 90 degree heat, fortunately we were on the shady side of the road. And after passing thru we passed waiting trucks for a mile
Our campsite is a gas station/truck stop just south of Liberia....about 50 miles from the border. Our first real meal of the day was at Burger King. A #3 meal with cheese cost 2700 colones....about $4. Nice to have some flavors of home.....
Monday, February 15, 2010
Day 45 Feb 12
Free day! Slept in...lazy morning and then Pam and I walked into Granada. Visited the internet cafe and wandered around the Parque Centro. Lots of beggars and peddlers.... Found the "Mona Lisa"Pizza Parlor everyone has been talking about and had a very good lunch!
Walked up 71 stone steps in a church tower for a fantastic view of the town and then down again...very narrow circular stairway. Took a horse and buggy ride back to the campsite at Playa Tourista, as it's called.
Walked up 71 stone steps in a church tower for a fantastic view of the town and then down again...very narrow circular stairway. Took a horse and buggy ride back to the campsite at Playa Tourista, as it's called.
Day 44 Thurs Feb 11
Granada...camping on the shores of Lake Nicaragua. Again dry camping plus no swimming as the lake is polluted. But there is a lifesaving breeze off the lake that makes our lives bearable. It is HOT! This area is a local favorite and there are lots of peddlers selling their wares and locals picnicing nearby. Wild horses run along the beach every day....grazing at the far end in a marshy area and cows get herded by morning and evening..
Took a boat tour along the shore in and around little islands formed by the volcano....some islands are empty and for sale, some are lovely vacation homes, available for rent. One is a monkey island. The water flowers beautiful and birding is plentiful.
Then we has a bus tour into the town of granada and a delicious lunch!
The afternoon was spent lazing around the camp, visiting and reading.
Took a boat tour along the shore in and around little islands formed by the volcano....some islands are empty and for sale, some are lovely vacation homes, available for rent. One is a monkey island. The water flowers beautiful and birding is plentiful.
Then we has a bus tour into the town of granada and a delicious lunch!
The afternoon was spent lazing around the camp, visiting and reading.
Day 37 Feb 3
It's a travel day to San Pedro Sula......very slow going thru lush farmlands and then twisty mountainous road with little villages dotted along the way. Then suddenly we arrived in a modern city...highly influanced by Americans.
After getting settled in our new campsite, the gated parking lot of a fancy downtown Hotel, Pam and I trotted across the 6 lane roadway to the "Mall". The food court had Wendy's, Pizza Hut, Dunkin Donut, Starbucks, Burger King..... and the shops were Payless Shoes, Fashion Barn, Pennys and Ace Hardware....and a cinema. We saw "Sherlock Holmes" with spanish sub-titles.
After getting settled in our new campsite, the gated parking lot of a fancy downtown Hotel, Pam and I trotted across the 6 lane roadway to the "Mall". The food court had Wendy's, Pizza Hut, Dunkin Donut, Starbucks, Burger King..... and the shops were Payless Shoes, Fashion Barn, Pennys and Ace Hardware....and a cinema. We saw "Sherlock Holmes" with spanish sub-titles.
Days 34,35,36 Sunday 1/31-Tuesday2/2
Another border crossing... into Honduras and to the Copan Ruins. The crossing only took 2 1/2 hours. It's always parking along the side of the road and waiting while the wagonmaster takes our passports and tries to proccess us as a group. It's hot and crowded and then all of a sudden it's rush-rush thru the leaving border into no mans land and getting fumigated (like running thru a car wash) and then we are in line, waiting to get proccessed into the next country.
We arrive at our new campsite....a pasture near the Copan Ruins and a town called Copan. Again it's dry camping....No water,no electric,no dumping,and we'll be here for 3 nights.
Monday morning, we climb into the back of a truck and are driven to the ruins for a tour... our guide is Yoboni, he says it was supposed to be Giovanni but no one knew how to spell it. Anyway, he was a great guide and the ruins are a real treasure! The museum was the best we have seen...there was mention of Peabody and I am wondering if the Peabody Essex Museum had some involvement.
Tuesday was a free day and I signed up for a sauna and massage at the wellness center. How to describe the wellness center?? A little concrete building with 3 rooms and a hallway with a cubicle to remove and leave your clothing, except your "bloomers", wrap in a towel and traipse down a stone pathway in the back yard to a "cave" where there is a shower and the sauna.... one hour later after 15min in the sauna then a shower, repeted again and again, then led to one of the rooms and massaged as never before!!!! It was the most draining, rejuvinating experience ever! I was worthless the rest of the day but felt wonderful.........
We arrive at our new campsite....a pasture near the Copan Ruins and a town called Copan. Again it's dry camping....No water,no electric,no dumping,and we'll be here for 3 nights.
Monday morning, we climb into the back of a truck and are driven to the ruins for a tour... our guide is Yoboni, he says it was supposed to be Giovanni but no one knew how to spell it. Anyway, he was a great guide and the ruins are a real treasure! The museum was the best we have seen...there was mention of Peabody and I am wondering if the Peabody Essex Museum had some involvement.
Tuesday was a free day and I signed up for a sauna and massage at the wellness center. How to describe the wellness center?? A little concrete building with 3 rooms and a hallway with a cubicle to remove and leave your clothing, except your "bloomers", wrap in a towel and traipse down a stone pathway in the back yard to a "cave" where there is a shower and the sauna.... one hour later after 15min in the sauna then a shower, repeted again and again, then led to one of the rooms and massaged as never before!!!! It was the most draining, rejuvinating experience ever! I was worthless the rest of the day but felt wonderful.........
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Time out
Sorry.... no travel report for the first week of February. Will try to get back to it soon.
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