March 4

Oh No! I've got the runs.....no cramping just sludge! Found my cipro and keeping my fingers crossed. I slept all the way to Jaco, our destination for today. It's a neat little town on the coast with a camp ground right in town so we can walk to shop and to the beach. I ate some chicken noodle soup and slept!

March 3

Headed out early, nose to tail, in numerical order because it's a border crossing day! We are going back into Costa Rica. But after we cross the border we will change our route. We are hugging the west coast to Uvila and a National Park camp ground. Great beach and surf! We are all very happy with this change of plans.

March 2

Destination is David and the Price Smart parking lot........driving the same road, staying at the same place etc. We decided to take a side trip as soon as the road got closer to the ocean...so at Las Lajas we veered left and drove about 6 or 7 miles til we hit the water. Changed into bathing suits and played in the surf for an hour or so, walked the beach....great way to spend a hot afternoon!
Parked again at the PriceSmart lot and enjoyed a pizza supper again. It started to rain and it cooled right down to a nice sleeping temperature.

March 1

Last day before we start the trip toward home! It's a free day but there was a tour offered to a small mountain village called El Valle de Acton. We were promised a waterfall hike, a mineral bath with a mud facial, if desired, lunch, shopping and a zoo. And we got it all! The hike was in a rain forest, the trails were well defined with swinging bridges crossing the streams. We were given walking sticks to help on the damp trails....the waterfalls were spectacular! Off to the mineral baths and mud facials, we had a choice between white mud or black mud. They had different powers I am sure but that escapes me. I used the black mud, got into my swimsuit and sank into the mineral pool where we were to stay for 30 minutes for it to be beneficial. Near the end of the 30 minutes, I swear the water felt carbonated against my skin. Well I am rejuvinated! Back into the village to find some lunch-I had grilled chicken and french fries with rice and beans (that's how the meal was served, everything always arrived with rice and beans no matter what you ordered).... We strolled the street checking out the shops and street venders before heading to the zoo. The facinating exhibit was the Frogs! The collection was amazing!
Back to the RV Park and a pot luck supper and a celebration for rig#10's 51st anniversary.... One of the members brought out his guitar and with tailgunner Brians assist we sang! Fun evening!

Feb 26, 27, 28.

A weekend in Panama City! Left the rigs behind and boarded a coach for the city. Took a walking/driving tour and lunch in the city. Spent the afternoon at the canal observation center, preparing for our day on the canal. After checking into our hotel we had a chance to walk around the area before dinner.... a group of us went to a chinese resturant for dinner.

Saturday... On the bus early to get to the canal and get the "good" seats in the air conditioned part of the boat. It was a long ride through 2 locks....lots of waiting etc but very interesting! Very glad we were air conditioned as it was very hot. We did have a heavy rain mid afternoon but it really didn't cool us down much! Tonight the group we ate with chose Italian for Dinner!

Sunday...On the bus early again for a trip to the Indian Village! Wonderful Day! We were greated by scantly clad men, helped into life jackets and dugout canoes. They paddled us up river to their village. There are 3 villages and we were taken to the farthest upstream. There we were greated by the women and children and ushered up the path to the village. They had prepared a meal for us as well as entertainment. We were told about the lifestyle and as we listened and asked questions we were offered Tattoos..... I was given a nice arm band. Also girls and women were weaving baskets among us and some men were carving and painting. The man who drew my tattoo was carving a frog and then painted it.. I asked to purchase it, so have added it to my collection.
Before leaving we were invited to swim in their stream....again Fun with a capital F! There was a swift current so the trick was to get into the shallow stream and into position before being swept downstream. If you didn't get out into the stream far enough before the current caught you, your backside got thoroughly pummeled by the pebbles and rocks. Anyway, it was fun and refreshing and my tattoo didn't wash off! They paddled us back downstream and to our bus. It was a wonderful day and a long bus ride back to Santa Clara, and XS Memories, and our Rigs!

Feb 25 Day 58

Free Day! Laundry Day! Shower Day! Beach Day! Hot Day! Relaxing Day!
The Park Hosts prepared a dinner and entertainment for our evening! Dinner was American Hamburgers and the entertainment was local children in native dress, dancing....very charming!

Feb 24 Day 57 (45 days on the caravan)

From the town of David to Santa Clara.......
Passed by and shopped at artisans booths along the roadside. Beaded necklaces, bracelets, collars, and native dress. Bought a dress from a vender no one was paying any attenton to as he had no beaded stuff...so I just had to buy one!
Stopped in a little village that has the oldest church in Central America...a wooden structure with great statues and it was huge!
Our campground ia a real RV Park called XS Memories. All amenities! A mile from the Pacific! It is listed in Frommers.