D5000 Test in the snow

I shot this in Feb. beautiful snow falling in big flakes. Want to test a couple of things on the D5000 out and here is what I got.

Feb. Snowfall from Josh Kufahl on Vimeo.

River diving

So it started at the un-godly hour of 8:00 a.m. today. We received a free breakfast of eggs, fruit and juice. It was satisfying. We were picked up at 8:30 by a Tico driving a 15 seater Korean van with a raft tied on top from our hostel. In the van were Josh, myself, 3 Slovenian future-rafters, our guide and our safety kayaker/photographer. The drive took about an hour and we had to head through a private farm to access to Rio Pacuare.

Upon arrival we took the raft off, grabbed a helmet, life vest and paddle and threw everything else in the van to keep dry. Today, we would attempt a bunch of Class III rapids and a half-dozen Class IV's.

So it turns out I'm a very squinty-faced white-water rafter with a tendency to fall out in the middle of a Class IV rapid. Josh said he tried to hold me from falling in, but the pictures don't back up his story. The safety kayaker would paddle ahead and go up on shore and wait for us to come through to snap our pictures.

Josh and I each almost broke an ankle with big Slovenian men falling on our strapped-in ankles and I smacked heads with Marsha the single female in the raft. Overall it was incredibly scenic with gorgeous backdrops and enough adrenaline-pumping rapids to make each of us wet our pants a little bit. I'd do it again in a heartbeat.

Artery Soup

Josh and I traveled from Samuel Mantonio to Turrialba today. It was a long, yet strangely pleasant trip for the two of us packed tightly into the autobuses. We were lucky enough to get dropped off on the opposite side of San Jose from the terminal our next bus departed from. So we half walked/half jogged with flip-flops and full packs across SJ pausing only to walk into the entry for Teatro Nacional (one of the oldest theatres in Costa Rica).

After arriving in Turrialba (a hotspot for white-water rafting enthusiasts) we promptly skipped to Hotel Interamericano - a clean, friendly $10-a-night hostel near the bus terminal. We were immediately engaged in friendly conversation with Luis, our concierge whom directed us to a nearby Soda for some food. We both ordered Casada con carne - neither of us knowing what in the hell it is (still not entirely sure). But it came with some sort of meat, rice, beans, fried plantains and potatoes. My dish, naturally, contained a chunk of meat with an artery sticking out of it. I lost my appetite after Josh pointed it out to me. But I snuck it on his plate when he was turned reading a poster.

And then we showered...separately.

Will post photos and video soon.

Next please

Well today we make the move from the beach to do some whitewater rafting. The last few days have been spent in the park and beach seeing animals. We have also been able to catch some great sunsets and some surf.

Monkeys Monkeys Monkeys

Well you can guess from the title what we are seeing. We got into Manuel Antonio by the grace of God at 4:00 and snagged a place at Backpackers Paradise. $10 pp and we were greeted by monkeys on our balcony.

Hitting up the park today hoping to see some more animals.

Stuff in CR

Wednesday, January 13

It was really windy last night. Again. This time though, it was old hat to us and we shrugged it off. The chihahaus woke us up again. I seriously believe they are having a competition as to which dog can be the loudest. I would like to tell them there really is no need to do this at 7am. Just let it go. Not that the banging on the roof or the side of the building was loud or anything...yeah.

We ate breakfast on the beach at Los Locando. Here we were able to use Wi-Fi! We lazed around and soaked up some sun. When I say "soaked up some sun" I mean the warmth, in a slightly shaded area. I used up all of the 60 proof sunscreen I had along - there really was no way the sun was going to burn me! Josh and I rented a board from C&C Surf School. I caught a few waves on my belly and then we switched so Josh was on the board and I was swimming. The water was warm but the breeze was cold! Later I went back out and I actually stood up on the board while it was moving! woo hoo! I stood! Yay!

For dinner we went to Los Lagaratos (again on the beach) where they grilled everything over hot coals. Very good! They had free Wi-Fi which was nice. It was really windy again! The wind whipped up sand and sent us inside!

Thursday, January 14

This morning waking up to barking chihauhaus again was nothing. We were used to it. I was about to tell them to bark louder - but they didn't need instruction for this. They barked louder on their own. We weighed pros and cons and scanned maps and bus routes to decide when to leave. We ate at Sheriff Rustico (on the beach!). We had great Batidos (fresh fruit blended with milk) and Gallo Pinto. After this we walked to our bus stop. We thought this was the right bus stop. Then we saw another bus around the corner and thought this was right but I asked "Nos paramos en Nicoya?" (Do you stop in Nicoya?) "No!" He started honking his horn over and over as we booked it over to the other bus and got on. Phew. That was close. We wouldn't have been able to get a bus back to Nicoya and onto Alejeula until...night time! Eek!

We stopped in Nicoya and got tickets to San Jose. This was a pretty direct bus ride but we hit a lot of traffic once we got to San Ramon area. There is a fest going on that is only once a year now. We got through and were glad we didn't leave at 4:30am Friday morning to get into Alejeula so I can get my flight.

The bus stopped at the airport and we got off. This way we could get a bus to Alejeula. We found a great hotel, Hotel Pacande that has free Wi-Fi, breakfast and hot showers. We had dinner at La Marscanda where we could eat on a tiny balcony and see the lights of San Jose far off. We had Yuca Fritas and they were awesome! Try these if you have the chance.

Friday, January 15

Josh and I are enjoying breakfast at the hotel on the outdoor patio. This is my last entry. I am sad to leave Costa Rica - it is so warm and laid back. Yet, Wisconsin, here I come. Josh is picking up Michael Greunke in a bit so they will spend a week here then. Have fun Michael! Josh - I will miss you. Have fun :)

Beachside Netbook Pic

Listening to some Amos Lee beachside in Samara, Costa Rica, with a cerveza.

j y m