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

Yay!!! Another Post

Sunday, January 10

Good coffee and breakfast to start the day out right! We walked around La Fortuna for a bit to get to know the town. We can see Volcan Arenal no matter where we are in the town and at 3pm we are set to be walking through the Rainforest, hiking around Volcan Arenal and going to Baldi Hot Springs where they have 16 hot springs, a swim up bar and disco music. Here we go!

It was raining out which was kind of perfect because we were walking through the Rainforest (not called that because of all of the rain that falls, but because of the elevation it is at). Josh and I had on our rain jackets, nylon zip off pants, hiking boots and hats - we were prepared! The Rainforest was lush with green plants (we saw two pineapple plants) and numerous kinds of trees. Costa Rica has 200 species of trees. After we walked 100 feet in our guide asked us a critical question that would decide which way we would go - to the left or right. "Do you want to see monkeys, or the most poisonous snake in Costa Rica?" This was a no-brainer. Josh and I were in the back of the 10 person group so I simply pointed with my index finger to the left. "haha you don't want to see the most poisounous snake in all of Costa Rica?" Response: shook head vigorously back and forth for NO. So we went that way. And we saw the snake that apparently no one ever sees because it has such good camoflouge. Yeah that was awesome. It had such good camoflouge that the whole group was looking at it (from 6 feet away - it can't see well or hear so it only senses heat from three feet away and always attacks) I couldn't see it. I was actually kind of bored despite my heart racing.

Josh did get some great pictures though.

After our hour walk we hopped back on our shuttle bus and went to the viewing area for Volcan Arenal. The road there was filled with potholes that we filled with rain and very curvy and tiny. Our guide talked about t Volcano on the way their and mentioned the huge explosion it had in 1968. The shaft of the volcano had magama jammed in it, so it went off in three separate areas along the side. Many people lived right near Volcan Arenal because they never knew it was a volcano. It had been dormant for 400 years. This meant that their ancestors had lived there and so on backwards without ever having problems.

We didn't actually see the volcano - it was rainy and the clouds covered the volcano. This is actually more typical than seeing Volcan Arenal. We were soaked by this point and pretty cold. We drove back to Baldi hot springs - glorious! There were 16 different pools surrounded by palm trees and under open sky. The pools were all of different temperatures ranging from a "cool pool" up to 150 degrees farenheit. There were three slides that went into one pool as well.

Time to sleep!

Monday, January 11

We woke up to the sound of pouring rain. I figured our tour on the zip lines would be canceled. Ugh! We are only here a few days! So I went back to sleep - but woke up again and decided to see if our shuttle did come anyway. It did! With our rain gear back in we got into another bus and went up to the Reserve around Volcan Arenal. We went on an 8am tour so we were the only ones along with our two guides. Right away they got us strapped into harnesses and helmets. We took another bus higher up into the reserve and then hiked a bit up to the first platform. Then he did a little explaining on how to hold the line and how to stop - strapped me on and I was off!! We went down a zip line (cable) across the tree tops! Josh and I went across 9 of these lines. Our guides were comforting: "This line, very fast. Much faster today because of the rain. IT makes it slippery - and woosh!" Ok. Good. This led to the question by one guide, "Meghan, are you afraid of heights?" "Um, a bit I guess, why?" "You walk slower on the platforms and stairs." That was because the platforms were metal and it was raining so I didn't want to slip and fall on my head!

At the end of the 9 zip lines we got to rappel down rock that was above a river. This was so fun! We loved it and wanted to go back again.

We packed our things and found a 1pm bus that took us to San Ramon. From there another bus took us on to ? here we just transferred buses on the road and this bus took us to Nicoya. Here we waited at the bus station for the bus to Samara. Our trip was 9 hours altogether, but this is were we should find some nice surf.

We walked around the sleepy town to try to find a place to stay. At three I asked "Tiene cuartos libres?" (do you have any vaccancies?) all no's. We did find one place that had an opening El Ancla. Perfect right on the beach. We walked into town and had a celebratory drink - we made itto Samara! How did we do that? Ticos are extremely nice! They always watch out for us. Thank goodness.

Now we can sleep!

Tuesday, January 12

It was really windy last night. When I say really, I mean we thought there was a hurrican coming. Our windows have screens on them but now glass. Also, the roof is made of tin. When things hit it - it is very loud. Our curtains were blowing everywhere! Yet we got sleep. This morning on the other hand, was different. I woke up early to little chihahaus barking at each other as loud as possible. Tico moms and brothers, fathers, etc. yelling in Spanish to one another and I think there was a morning dove in there to.

Eesh. Needless to say, I was up early putting on 60proof sunscreen. We were no longer in a rainy, cloudy valley - we were on the Pacific Coast! It is very sunny here! Josh and I walked up the road to a tiny Panderia and got a danish and iced coffee. After this we walked the beach, walked around the town and talked to some surf instructors. The wind killed the surf! All places that rented boards were closed. Psh.

We walked the beach more and did some swimming. The water was warm :) We had plaintain chips and guacamole Josh made for lunch and slept on the beach. Very relaxing day. We found pretty shells along our way, watched horseback riders and bikers on the beach. We had Margaritas and Pina Coladas.

j y m

We made it!!!

We arrived safely! After waiting in the Chicago airport for our flight to leave (with hopeful/worried thoughts that it would leave) we were finally able to board at about 6am. After the plane was de-iced (there was a minor blizzard occuring before and during our departure) we left 20 minutes after we boarded. In Ft. Lauderdale we got our last flight to Costa Rica - yay!!! When we got through customs we went out into a warm sunny day with a strong breeze. Observation 1) the wind was blowing something like sand into our eyes. We found the bus stop and we were told by a few people to be careful because people like to "take you" for what you have, "hide your money", etc. That was nice of them to tell us.

We took the bus into town and quickly realized that we didn't know when to stop. We went "all tourist" and pulled out a Lonely Planet tour guide book that had a street map of Alajeula. We saw the cathedral that was on the map and pulled the line to tell the bus driver to "Alto" (stop). Sure enough, our hotel was right around the corner. American tourists: 1 (maybe we know what we are doing afterall!)

After a quick nap we walked around and got some food. The Parque Central was beautiful with tall trees, green grasses and bushes. After we got some ice cream and tried to call home two times each (sorry Dad Riordan - they won't let me through to you because you have a cellular number, and Dad/Mom Kufahl - they put Josh through to the wrong number. She was elderly and did not seem to know what was going at all. She still seemed to enjoy the call.)

Saturday, January 9

We woke up early - Josh got up at 7:30! and we walked through downtown to the Saturday Market. It was huge! Shockingly enough, with rows of the exact same thing. Competition is stiff here. We picked up two mangos and something that we still don't know the name of that tastes like grass or peas. I asked Que es eso? (What's that?) but I had no idea what he said in response. So I just asked cuanto cuestas (how much?) and it was only 50 colones or 10 cents.

After the market we took a taxi to Doka Estate - a coffee plantation tour. Our taxi driver said he knew where that was. Ok in America when you say you know where something is, you do. Here in Costa Rica when you say you know where something is, you kinda have an idea of the area it is. The taxi driver spoke no English and we speak borken Spanish so our drive was filled with Madonna, Men at Work and Depeche Mode until we drove around for a bit and Meg using hand signs, English/Spanish tried to say "go back down the road you came in on, turn left, and take the next left you see." Right. We still got there on time!

Doka Estate was beautiful! Our guide was full of knowledge of the coffee plantation that began with the Germans (were the name Doka is from) in 1908. It has now been in a Costa Rican family for three generations. We saw a coffee plant at 8 weeks, 3 months and 1 year old. You are not able to get coffee berries from the plant until it is 3 years old. A coffee harvester carries two baskets on their hips so both hands are free. The pick 1 entire plant from top to bottom and then move on. The harvester gets 25 pounds in each basket before bringing the baskets to a truck where it is weighed. The picker can make up to $50 a day. Very good!

After we saw the plants our tour guide showed us the water process, shedding of the berry parchment/sugar, fermentation and roasting. Then we moved onto sampling coffee! Oh - when we arrived we received a welcome cocktail: iced coffee blended with chocolate milk. Muy bien!

We met a couple from Colorado that we at lunch with on the Estate. They drove us back into Alajeula and got a beer with them.

Shortly after this - we walked to find the bus station that would take us to San Carols/Ciudad Quesada and onto La Fortuna. Observation: 36 (we actually have a list)Costa Ricans ( Ticos) are extremly nice. They give long-drawn out descriptions - with hand signals - for directions. They are giving you and "idea" of where to go. There are about 12 directional signs in all of Costa Rica. Even though it took us asking 5 Ticos on the street for directions and 20 minutes of random walking back and forth over where we just were and saying out loud "We were just here and didn't see what they were talking about. Seriously - how did we miss the bus station!

We were on the other side of the building the other time and never saw the HUGE sign.Oh well. We got there.

After a 4 hour bus ride on tiny roads (they honk when approaching another vehicle) that curve constantly, rain and one bus change, we arrived in La Fortuna. Along the way though, we had to stop and change buses in San Carlos. We drove into the town but had no idea when we were to get off. We saw other passengers pull a cord above our heads to make the bus stop. We were some of the last people on the bus so we started to freak out a bit. It was really dark out! What else would you do when you freak out but get off the bus? Josh grabbed the cord and pulled. The horn honked. This was actually the cord for the curtain (and the horn honk was just a weird occurence)He pulled a different cord and the bus slowed to a stop. We walked to the front to get off. The gentlemen that collected money for the tickets was at the bottom of the steps and when he saw us he simply says, "No, no,no, no." Shakes his finger and walks back up the step forcing us to sit down. He was right, of course. Our stop (the bus station) was right ahead. He didn't know how to say that in English but knew where we needed to go. Again, Ticos are really, really nice.

j y m

56 hours and counting

Our airplane will be leaving the station 56-ish hours from now for Costa Rica! Our salsa has been perfected, Spanish is impeccable and my 60 proof sunscreen is packed. I even put some on already - to get ready for the sun. Costa Rica - here we come!