8th August 2014
It was a rushed start for room 14 (Amy, Hope, Beci and Becca) this morning as they pressed the off button rather than the snooze on their alarm. Fortunately, Carlos, being the gentleman that he is, gave us a slightly later start of 8am (yes, that is actually a lye in for us).
After breakfast, we did a tour of one of the other trails around the reserve. This one went down into the valley where the ecosystem is surprisingly different from that of the cloud forest. We bid farewell to the stunning Santa Elena Reserve and set off to enjoy our afternoon!
In the afternoon, we were lucky enough to visit a local coffee plantation - Don Juan. Here we had a coffee, cocoa and sugarcane tour given by a tour guide named Junior. Like every single other tour guide we have had in Costa Rica, Junior was extremely enthusiastic to the point where you'd be forgiven for thinking he was slightly crazy. After we were shown around the coffee plantation, we had a cocoa workshop. We were given the chance to make our own 'chocolate' from shredded cocoa beans, vanilla essence, pepper, cinnamon, sugar and, for those who were brave enough, chilli sauce. Then, in addition to our marvellous creations (no, not the Cadbury's ones), Junior offered us a variety of chocolate to sample which, of course, we would never be rude enough to turn down. As if we weren't already buzzing off our sugar hit, Junior showed us how to press sugarcane to make virgin mojitos with the addition of lime juice (hellooo diabetes).
Even the torrential downpour didn't bring us down from our newly increased high as we caught a cow ride back to the gift shop. To our delight, there was FREE coffee (of several different roasts)!
On the way back to the hotel, we were all shaking from a caffeine and sugar overload. The buzz didn't wear off as we all changed into our gladrags in preparation for our night out! Seeing as our hotel didn't supply us with shower caps, some improvisation was needed when it came to Becca. Using a striped shopping bag, Beci fashioned a 'hair cover' which we are sure will soon catch on (so that all of you can be as cool as Becca). In the meantime, please stay tuned for photos of our trendsetter in action.
Sticking with the theme of the trip, we went to a restaurant which proudly advertised itself as one of the "Top 10 most bizarre restaurants in the world". It was called 'The Treehouse' due to the huge ancient fig tree growing through the centre. The food was delicious and company as interesting as always. We enjoyed some live music at the restaurant before returning to our hotel in the party bus (we decided against the dance night in the end).
It's safe to say that we have all loved today and we'll be really sad to leave Monte Verde.
¡Hasta lunes!
Team Costa Coffee xxx
Team Costa Rica 2014
team Costa Rica!!!!
Showing posts with label lynsey hamlett. Show all posts
Showing posts with label lynsey hamlett. Show all posts
Saturday, 9 August 2014
Friday, 8 August 2014
Day 8 - It was acceptable in the 80s
4th August 2014
Today we had an epiphany. We were all born in the wrong generation (bar Sarah and Lynsey hehe). More on that later...
Yet again, it was a ridiculously early start for us (breakfast at 5:30am). After loading our bags and ourselves onto the boat and waiting to motor away, we realised we weren't actually moving anywhere. Beci flexed her guns (hench!) and hopped out to push. It was a hopeless matter, which of course called for Hope to step up (also hench!)! Together they got the boat moving and leapt Indianna Jones style from the jetty onto the boat.
We were definitely sad to be leaving Pacuare but looking forward to warm showers and a laundry service.
Breakfast #2 happened an hour into the drive back to San Jose (sliced bread for breakfast earlier on hadn't quite been enough for our huge appetites). Upon arriving in San Jose, we were very excited to visit Costa Rican Scout HQ. Our fondness of the place grew as we were fed Miguel biscuits and ice tea.
We said an emotional goodbye to Helen and loaded onto a new minibus en route to Monte Verde. It was then that we met Carlos, our new group co-ordinator. We soon discovered that Carlos and Sergio (the driver) have very good music tastes as we were treated to over an hour of 80s mash up. It was pretty amazing how many 80s song lyrics us 90s babies know, and quite how much we enjoyed ourselves! Bus singing definitely made a triumphant return today.
After stopping for a while so that the mountain road could be cleared of rocks and rubble, we finally arrived at our hotel. The utter joy we all felt when we saw the sign about laundry service at reception was tangible! We were all so whiffy by this point that we weren't even offended when Carlos 'suggested' that we all go and wash.
Finally clean, we headed to "Amy's" for tea. A fab selection of meals, followed by electricity in our rooms and a proper bed - we really felt like we'd hit the jackpot!
Buenas noches,
Team Costa Rica
Pacuare (adj.) - 1. Cold (eg shower) 2. Damp/moist 3. Generally grim 4. Dirty 5. SWEATY
eg "Ew, this is so Pacuare"
(We promise we liked Pacuare really).
Today we had an epiphany. We were all born in the wrong generation (bar Sarah and Lynsey hehe). More on that later...
Yet again, it was a ridiculously early start for us (breakfast at 5:30am). After loading our bags and ourselves onto the boat and waiting to motor away, we realised we weren't actually moving anywhere. Beci flexed her guns (hench!) and hopped out to push. It was a hopeless matter, which of course called for Hope to step up (also hench!)! Together they got the boat moving and leapt Indianna Jones style from the jetty onto the boat.
We were definitely sad to be leaving Pacuare but looking forward to warm showers and a laundry service.
Breakfast #2 happened an hour into the drive back to San Jose (sliced bread for breakfast earlier on hadn't quite been enough for our huge appetites). Upon arriving in San Jose, we were very excited to visit Costa Rican Scout HQ. Our fondness of the place grew as we were fed Miguel biscuits and ice tea.
We said an emotional goodbye to Helen and loaded onto a new minibus en route to Monte Verde. It was then that we met Carlos, our new group co-ordinator. We soon discovered that Carlos and Sergio (the driver) have very good music tastes as we were treated to over an hour of 80s mash up. It was pretty amazing how many 80s song lyrics us 90s babies know, and quite how much we enjoyed ourselves! Bus singing definitely made a triumphant return today.
After stopping for a while so that the mountain road could be cleared of rocks and rubble, we finally arrived at our hotel. The utter joy we all felt when we saw the sign about laundry service at reception was tangible! We were all so whiffy by this point that we weren't even offended when Carlos 'suggested' that we all go and wash.
Finally clean, we headed to "Amy's" for tea. A fab selection of meals, followed by electricity in our rooms and a proper bed - we really felt like we'd hit the jackpot!
Buenas noches,
Team Costa Rica
Pacuare (adj.) - 1. Cold (eg shower) 2. Damp/moist 3. Generally grim 4. Dirty 5. SWEATY
eg "Ew, this is so Pacuare"
(We promise we liked Pacuare really).
Day 9 - Antz
5th August 2014
Today was our first day working at the beautiful Santa Elena Reserve in Monte Verde and boy did we have an early start... Again!
We set off in the minibus at 7am and were greeted at the reserve with breakfast, made by the cook, Maria.
Surprise, surprise... We had rice and beans accompanied by plantain and egg. Plantain has become a regular on the meals front over the last week or so!
Our group co-ordinater, Carlos, then took us on a mini, but very informative, tour of the main trail around the rainforest.
Our job in the morning was to maintain a 1.4km gravel path which leads to a viewing tower in the rainforest. Muscles at the ready, we each carried a gravel filled sack up to the trail and emptied it where instructed, to even out worn bits of the path.
It was as if we were a colony of worker ants, carrying new sacks further and further up the path as the morning progressed. In this job you definitely don't need a gym membership. Carrying the bags was like weight lifting... Our shoulders were getting ripped! Especially Beci's (the left one rather distinctively so!)...
After a 'lovely' spag bol for lunch, we got down to some hardcore gardening to ensure the orchid garden was blooming marvellous(ly).
Later on, upon returning to our hotel, we found a surprise waiting for us... Actual clean, dry clothes! The Pacuare smell was no more! We celebrated by going into the town, flaunting our new not-so-conspicuous smell.
After a spot of shopping, we went to a restaurant and bar favoured by the locals (and recommended by Carlos) and indulged on... Dare we say it... NO rice, beans plantain OR egg! The place, the food and the atmosphere was so good that we have decide to return on Friday, when they host "Dance Night". We will treat them to a once-in-a-lifetime experience of a Team Costa Rica (plus Carlos and Sergio) danceathon (with hints of dad dancing).
That's all for today folks(¡Es todo, compañeros!).
Team Costa Rica xxx
P.S. Dear Briony
We would like to apologise for pronouncing your name wrong for over a year. Soz lad.
Today was our first day working at the beautiful Santa Elena Reserve in Monte Verde and boy did we have an early start... Again!
We set off in the minibus at 7am and were greeted at the reserve with breakfast, made by the cook, Maria.
Surprise, surprise... We had rice and beans accompanied by plantain and egg. Plantain has become a regular on the meals front over the last week or so!
Our group co-ordinater, Carlos, then took us on a mini, but very informative, tour of the main trail around the rainforest.
Our job in the morning was to maintain a 1.4km gravel path which leads to a viewing tower in the rainforest. Muscles at the ready, we each carried a gravel filled sack up to the trail and emptied it where instructed, to even out worn bits of the path.
It was as if we were a colony of worker ants, carrying new sacks further and further up the path as the morning progressed. In this job you definitely don't need a gym membership. Carrying the bags was like weight lifting... Our shoulders were getting ripped! Especially Beci's (the left one rather distinctively so!)...
After a 'lovely' spag bol for lunch, we got down to some hardcore gardening to ensure the orchid garden was blooming marvellous(ly).
Later on, upon returning to our hotel, we found a surprise waiting for us... Actual clean, dry clothes! The Pacuare smell was no more! We celebrated by going into the town, flaunting our new not-so-conspicuous smell.
After a spot of shopping, we went to a restaurant and bar favoured by the locals (and recommended by Carlos) and indulged on... Dare we say it... NO rice, beans plantain OR egg! The place, the food and the atmosphere was so good that we have decide to return on Friday, when they host "Dance Night". We will treat them to a once-in-a-lifetime experience of a Team Costa Rica (plus Carlos and Sergio) danceathon (with hints of dad dancing).
That's all for today folks(¡Es todo, compañeros!).
Team Costa Rica xxx
P.S. Dear Briony
We would like to apologise for pronouncing your name wrong for over a year. Soz lad.
Thursday, 7 August 2014
Day 7- Grim up North
Following our night patrols, we were blessed with a lye in until 8am. Our luck continued as we went down to breakfast to find fried eggs on bread. We had another chilled morning in order to recuperate from last night and continued on our quest to complete every crossword arrowword we had. After a plantain fritter dinner, we took a boat wih Biscuit Moguel, Ida and Mario over to south station. A sighting of a caiman made the risk of death-by-croc (no, not Becca's show - shout out to Janice) a bit more real.
When we arrived at South station we couldnt believe our eyes. No lagoons blocked our path, the hammocks were dry and it even had a shop. What is this paradise? Yet again, the resident Jaguar failed to make an appearance as we went on another patrol. On the walk back to South station, our eyes were opened to the brutality of nature in action. You could say we had an eggducation...
Biscuit Miguel found a nest of unhatched, dead turtle eggs in various stages of turtle development. The cracking of the eggs one by one, and the yolky mess that slimed out made our breakfast eggs seem a lot less appetising. The luxury of South station was realised further when we saw peppermint tea (unheard of at North). We gutted the shop (all for a good cause - the Pacuare charity). As we left South we came to the realisation that we had learnt to love the North station, in all its grimness. To nobody's surprise it rained on the boat ride back t'North. As per usual spirits were lifted through song and even Biscuit Miguel joined on this time. It turns out that his guilty pleasures were Frozen and Abba (particularly Mamma Mia), although he was also partial to a bit of Oasis.
Back at t'North station we had tea and began the 'Big Packing Challenge' to the ever present smell of damp still reeking from the clothes we had 'washed'. We departed to our cabins amd flomped into bed at 7:30pm; the earliest time we've gone since the age of five.
Adios amigos.
Team Costa Rica x x x
When we arrived at South station we couldnt believe our eyes. No lagoons blocked our path, the hammocks were dry and it even had a shop. What is this paradise? Yet again, the resident Jaguar failed to make an appearance as we went on another patrol. On the walk back to South station, our eyes were opened to the brutality of nature in action. You could say we had an eggducation...
Biscuit Miguel found a nest of unhatched, dead turtle eggs in various stages of turtle development. The cracking of the eggs one by one, and the yolky mess that slimed out made our breakfast eggs seem a lot less appetising. The luxury of South station was realised further when we saw peppermint tea (unheard of at North). We gutted the shop (all for a good cause - the Pacuare charity). As we left South we came to the realisation that we had learnt to love the North station, in all its grimness. To nobody's surprise it rained on the boat ride back t'North. As per usual spirits were lifted through song and even Biscuit Miguel joined on this time. It turns out that his guilty pleasures were Frozen and Abba (particularly Mamma Mia), although he was also partial to a bit of Oasis.
Back at t'North station we had tea and began the 'Big Packing Challenge' to the ever present smell of damp still reeking from the clothes we had 'washed'. We departed to our cabins amd flomped into bed at 7:30pm; the earliest time we've gone since the age of five.
Adios amigos.
Team Costa Rica x x x
Wednesday, 6 August 2014
Day 6 - The Death Eaters
2nd August 2014
To our astonishment, our 6am early morning patrol was NOT cancelled! We walked the beach looking for nests with Miguel (another Pacuare guide). We were giddy with excitement as we searched for a friend for Isaac. General hysteria rose as Miguel whipped out some biscuits at the halfway meeting point (Es... Muuucha Galleta!) but we were disappointed to find nothing but empty nests and crabs on this patrol.
Our party was greeted with pancakes back at the North Station which we demolished instantaneously (no rice or beans in sight - get in!).
We were back out on the beach after breakfast, donned with bin bags and gardening gloves, ready to litter pick. The rough weather overnight had churned out LOADS of rubbish on to the beach which is not only an eyesore, but is also harmful to the local wildlife. It was therefore our pleasure to do something useful at Pacuare!
We had time after lunch to entertain ourselves. By this point costant crosswords were wearing a bit thin so Lynsey producd a globe beach ball. What followed was a stroke of genius. Amy found a broom and Global Wipeout was born. The aim of the game was to hit the ball with the broom with various points awarded for where the ball landed.
We were soon joined by Biscuit Miguel and his chum Mario. It wasn't long before they produced a frisbee and a game of ultimate frisbee in ultimate humidity ensued on the beach. None of us really understood the rules (we eventually went for throw the thing and hope for the best) but we got the gist in the end. Sweaty doesn't even cover it.
After dinner we prepared for night patrol by splitting into two groups. Group one consisted of Hope, Lynsey, Clare, Briony, Katie, Lena, Biscuit Miguel and Mario. Our walk was sticky but Biscuit Miguel came up trumps at half time to produce the goods once again. A thunderstorm struck on the walk back and, blinded by the lightening, Briony face planted the sand. As far as anyone knows, an imprint of her face still remains on the beach today. Torches weren't allowed which made things ever more 'interesting'.
The second group of the night patrollers were delayed by half an hour due to the thunderstorm (again...) but eventually set off at 11:30pm. Unlike group one, they dressed for the occasion and were treated to bin bags for coats. They made their own arm and head holes (although Sarah's arm holes came out of her stomach - an interesting look!) and set out down the pitch black beach with Ida. The combination of zoodies with hoods, rectangular bin bags and the fact they were marching in pairs made the night even more surreal. It was as if they were re-enacting a scene from Harry Potter (hence the title of this blog post!).
We went to bed damp but happy, despite neither group getting a glimpse of a turtle. We had the news next morning, however, that South Station had seen a Green Turtle during the night.
¡Pura vida!
Team Costa Rica xxx
P.S If you wish to know the rules of Global Wipeout in order to play along at home, keep reading...
You need a bowler and a batter (other players act as fielders). If the batter hits the globe in front of the bowler, 2 points are awarded. If the globe lands behind the bowler, 10 points are awarded. If the globe is hit off the decking, 5 points are given. For hitting the bowler, the golden 12 points are awarded! Each player gets 5 hits and the player with the most points at the end wins.
Warning: Broom head may fly off during play.
To our astonishment, our 6am early morning patrol was NOT cancelled! We walked the beach looking for nests with Miguel (another Pacuare guide). We were giddy with excitement as we searched for a friend for Isaac. General hysteria rose as Miguel whipped out some biscuits at the halfway meeting point (Es... Muuucha Galleta!) but we were disappointed to find nothing but empty nests and crabs on this patrol.
Our party was greeted with pancakes back at the North Station which we demolished instantaneously (no rice or beans in sight - get in!).
We were back out on the beach after breakfast, donned with bin bags and gardening gloves, ready to litter pick. The rough weather overnight had churned out LOADS of rubbish on to the beach which is not only an eyesore, but is also harmful to the local wildlife. It was therefore our pleasure to do something useful at Pacuare!
We had time after lunch to entertain ourselves. By this point costant crosswords were wearing a bit thin so Lynsey producd a globe beach ball. What followed was a stroke of genius. Amy found a broom and Global Wipeout was born. The aim of the game was to hit the ball with the broom with various points awarded for where the ball landed.
We were soon joined by Biscuit Miguel and his chum Mario. It wasn't long before they produced a frisbee and a game of ultimate frisbee in ultimate humidity ensued on the beach. None of us really understood the rules (we eventually went for throw the thing and hope for the best) but we got the gist in the end. Sweaty doesn't even cover it.
After dinner we prepared for night patrol by splitting into two groups. Group one consisted of Hope, Lynsey, Clare, Briony, Katie, Lena, Biscuit Miguel and Mario. Our walk was sticky but Biscuit Miguel came up trumps at half time to produce the goods once again. A thunderstorm struck on the walk back and, blinded by the lightening, Briony face planted the sand. As far as anyone knows, an imprint of her face still remains on the beach today. Torches weren't allowed which made things ever more 'interesting'.
The second group of the night patrollers were delayed by half an hour due to the thunderstorm (again...) but eventually set off at 11:30pm. Unlike group one, they dressed for the occasion and were treated to bin bags for coats. They made their own arm and head holes (although Sarah's arm holes came out of her stomach - an interesting look!) and set out down the pitch black beach with Ida. The combination of zoodies with hoods, rectangular bin bags and the fact they were marching in pairs made the night even more surreal. It was as if they were re-enacting a scene from Harry Potter (hence the title of this blog post!).
We went to bed damp but happy, despite neither group getting a glimpse of a turtle. We had the news next morning, however, that South Station had seen a Green Turtle during the night.
¡Pura vida!
Team Costa Rica xxx
P.S If you wish to know the rules of Global Wipeout in order to play along at home, keep reading...
You need a bowler and a batter (other players act as fielders). If the batter hits the globe in front of the bowler, 2 points are awarded. If the globe lands behind the bowler, 10 points are awarded. If the globe is hit off the decking, 5 points are given. For hitting the bowler, the golden 12 points are awarded! Each player gets 5 hits and the player with the most points at the end wins.
Warning: Broom head may fly off during play.
Day 5 - Isaacabana
1st August 2014
We set our alarms for 4:30am in preparation for a morning patrol beginning at 5am. However, we awoke, not just to the sound of our alarms, but to the deafening and constant sound of thunder. The frequent lightening was the only source of light and the rain was insane. Having reluctantly emerged from our mosquito net caves and ventured into the torrential downpour, we were greeted with the news of an aborted mission. The beach was too dangerous in this kind of weather for morning patrol so we cowered back into our cabins and the 'safety' of our beds.
When the sun finally decided to show its face (approximately 7am) we emerged from our nets, once again, to find the moat had become a lake and monkeys in the trees right outside our cabins! We set off to breakfast much more cheerful (rice and beans!) and proceeded to get ready for mid-morning patrol instead.
To our delight, and despite it not really being turtle season, our Pacuare guide, Ida, discovered an opened leatherback turtle nest. Scooping her hand into the hole, she pulled out a baby turtle. However, it was soon clear that he was a slightly handicapped little fellow. After pulling himself round in cirlcles (and NOT towards the sea!) Ida soon realised the problem; he had a weak fin and damaged left eye. He was soon christened Isaac of Team Costa Rica and, when he finally made it to the sea, we waved him off like proud mums.
Isaac soon became the muse for a song (sung to the tune of Copacabana)
We set our alarms for 4:30am in preparation for a morning patrol beginning at 5am. However, we awoke, not just to the sound of our alarms, but to the deafening and constant sound of thunder. The frequent lightening was the only source of light and the rain was insane. Having reluctantly emerged from our mosquito net caves and ventured into the torrential downpour, we were greeted with the news of an aborted mission. The beach was too dangerous in this kind of weather for morning patrol so we cowered back into our cabins and the 'safety' of our beds.
When the sun finally decided to show its face (approximately 7am) we emerged from our nets, once again, to find the moat had become a lake and monkeys in the trees right outside our cabins! We set off to breakfast much more cheerful (rice and beans!) and proceeded to get ready for mid-morning patrol instead.
To our delight, and despite it not really being turtle season, our Pacuare guide, Ida, discovered an opened leatherback turtle nest. Scooping her hand into the hole, she pulled out a baby turtle. However, it was soon clear that he was a slightly handicapped little fellow. After pulling himself round in cirlcles (and NOT towards the sea!) Ida soon realised the problem; he had a weak fin and damaged left eye. He was soon christened Isaac of Team Costa Rica and, when he finally made it to the sea, we waved him off like proud mums.
Isaac soon became the muse for a song (sung to the tune of Copacabana)
His name was Isaac
He was a turtle
He popped his head out on the land
Spread his fins out on the sand
His fin was lazy
His eye was crazy
He spun around upon the sand
So Ida pushed him with her hand
He went into the sea
He waved his fin at me
He was young and he was free
To find a family
The Northern Station
In Costa Rica
There should be turtles everywhere
But the storm just didn't care
The Northern Station
In Costa Riiiiica
Lightening and flashing and thunder and crashing
Costa Riiiiiiicaaaa
We fell in mud!
After patrolling our half of the beach, we walked back to Northern station through the rainforest. Sightings of a jaguar along the same path just a few days earlier added to the atmosphere as we walked. We just saw frogs, snakes and lizards, however, and made it back to the Northern Station safely.
That afternoon, we were motivated to do the first clothes wash of the trip (we were all running out of knickers). Little did we know that absolutely NOTHING dries at Pacuare and our washing actually came out smelling worse than it did before.
Another candlelit dinner was followed by some furious crossword completion; the first of many at Pacuare. We like to call it team bonding!
An early night followed after a cancellation of our night patrol (cancelled patrols: 2) due to, you guessed it, bad weather!
Buenas noches from Team Costa Rica xxx
Tuesday, 5 August 2014
Day 4 - Caught in a derrumbe, no escape from reality
31st July 2014
Due to unforseen circumstances we left the hostel 90 minutes later than planned in the sardine tin's younger, bigger and air conditioned brother. However, lack of close proximity meant that Abba's greatest hits didn't grace the ears of the driver today.
Although the journey to the Limon Province should ony have taken 2 hours or so, an unexpected derrumbe caused road closures and a detour on our part (no, we weren't actually caught in a landslide) which doubled our journey time. Upon arriving at the boat station (after a rocky ride through a banana plantation), mosquito paranoia set in. Some of us undertook the quickest clothes change known to (wo)man into more suitable attire, with a bit of help from Beci distracting the male bus driver with some innovative bag unloading.
We're happy to announce that there were no fatalities (or even missing limbs) during the hour long boat trip through the caiman infested waters to the Northern Station. We arrived sweaty enough to fill another lagoon and headed towards our lodgings at the reserve. Although basic (think the bunkhouse in "Of Mice and Men"), Briony, Sophie, Jenni, Katie, Sarah, Lynsey and Clare settled in. However, those of us remaining waded our way to Blue cabin (later known as The Castle due to it's MASSIVE moat). Yes, we said waded - we waved goodbye to dry walking boots and said hello to the makings of trench foot.
Night fell (at 6pm) so we enjoyed a candlelit dinner, joined by the beginnings of the stench of damp that would linger for the next 4 days. Departing to our "beds" at 7:30pm in preparation for our 5am morning patrol, we realised quite how close to nature we actually were as Sarah nearly squashed a frog in her walking boot.
It had rained all day, so we weren't prepared for the weather that night; lightening lit the sky, thunder quite literally shook our beds and rain became the soundtrack to our dreams. The rain not only expanded the moat but also made its way into our rooms (the holes in the roof didn't help).
Hasta la vista from a very damp Team Costa Rica xxx
PS - pictures from the last few days will be on soon!
Due to unforseen circumstances we left the hostel 90 minutes later than planned in the sardine tin's younger, bigger and air conditioned brother. However, lack of close proximity meant that Abba's greatest hits didn't grace the ears of the driver today.
Although the journey to the Limon Province should ony have taken 2 hours or so, an unexpected derrumbe caused road closures and a detour on our part (no, we weren't actually caught in a landslide) which doubled our journey time. Upon arriving at the boat station (after a rocky ride through a banana plantation), mosquito paranoia set in. Some of us undertook the quickest clothes change known to (wo)man into more suitable attire, with a bit of help from Beci distracting the male bus driver with some innovative bag unloading.
We're happy to announce that there were no fatalities (or even missing limbs) during the hour long boat trip through the caiman infested waters to the Northern Station. We arrived sweaty enough to fill another lagoon and headed towards our lodgings at the reserve. Although basic (think the bunkhouse in "Of Mice and Men"), Briony, Sophie, Jenni, Katie, Sarah, Lynsey and Clare settled in. However, those of us remaining waded our way to Blue cabin (later known as The Castle due to it's MASSIVE moat). Yes, we said waded - we waved goodbye to dry walking boots and said hello to the makings of trench foot.
Night fell (at 6pm) so we enjoyed a candlelit dinner, joined by the beginnings of the stench of damp that would linger for the next 4 days. Departing to our "beds" at 7:30pm in preparation for our 5am morning patrol, we realised quite how close to nature we actually were as Sarah nearly squashed a frog in her walking boot.
It had rained all day, so we weren't prepared for the weather that night; lightening lit the sky, thunder quite literally shook our beds and rain became the soundtrack to our dreams. The rain not only expanded the moat but also made its way into our rooms (the holes in the roof didn't help).
Hasta la vista from a very damp Team Costa Rica xxx
PS - pictures from the last few days will be on soon!
Wednesday, 30 July 2014
Mañana por la mañana
Wednesday 31st July to Monday 3rd August
However, the reserve has limited electricity and no wifi, so we´ll be off the radar until at least Tuesday (providing our next hostel has internet access!)
Thanks for reading up to now and make sure to check in again on Tuesday.
¡Buenas noches!
Team Costa Rica xxx
Day 3 - Head in the Clouds
30th July 2014
Day 3
Today has probably been our best day so far (despite the 7am start!).
Back into the sardine tin (Relight my fire!) we began our 2 hour journey to Poas Volcano, brimming with anticipation at the prospect of the spectacular views of the volcano crater and lagoon we would find at the top.
Alas! It was not to be. The rain didn´t disappoint (Jenni´s knickers will surely make a reapperance hanging in the window tonight) and it seems some waterproof coats are not as waterproof as we might have thought *Sophie*.
Trudging our way through the relentless rain, we were overcome by the smell of rotten eggs (no, it wasn´t just Sarah - it was sulphur from the volcano). We arrived at the viewing point to be greeted by a dramatic view of... Clouds! No crater... No lagoon. Just clouds. Having said that, Sophie can still tick ´being on a volcano´ off her bucket list!
Unlike the view, our spirits remained unclouded as we made our way to Peace Lodge La Paz Waterfall and Gardens. We were lucky enough to be allowed to hold toucans, butterflies and even a snake, as well as feed the hummingbirds. After seeing some jungle cats and visiting the frog house, we made our way through the rainforest and discovered some amazing views!
We´ve had a fab day today and have returned to our hostel with slightly sore throats from all the singing (apologies to our driver, who has probably gone home with ringing ears) and much fuller memory cards on our cameras!
¡Hasta luego!
Team Costa Rica xxxx
Day 3
Today has probably been our best day so far (despite the 7am start!).
Back into the sardine tin (Relight my fire!) we began our 2 hour journey to Poas Volcano, brimming with anticipation at the prospect of the spectacular views of the volcano crater and lagoon we would find at the top.
Alas! It was not to be. The rain didn´t disappoint (Jenni´s knickers will surely make a reapperance hanging in the window tonight) and it seems some waterproof coats are not as waterproof as we might have thought *Sophie*.
Trudging our way through the relentless rain, we were overcome by the smell of rotten eggs (no, it wasn´t just Sarah - it was sulphur from the volcano). We arrived at the viewing point to be greeted by a dramatic view of... Clouds! No crater... No lagoon. Just clouds. Having said that, Sophie can still tick ´being on a volcano´ off her bucket list!
Unlike the view, our spirits remained unclouded as we made our way to Peace Lodge La Paz Waterfall and Gardens. We were lucky enough to be allowed to hold toucans, butterflies and even a snake, as well as feed the hummingbirds. After seeing some jungle cats and visiting the frog house, we made our way through the rainforest and discovered some amazing views!
We´ve had a fab day today and have returned to our hostel with slightly sore throats from all the singing (apologies to our driver, who has probably gone home with ringing ears) and much fuller memory cards on our cameras!
¡Hasta luego!
Team Costa Rica xxxx
Tuesday, 29 July 2014
Day 2- The day of the Sardine Tin
29th July 2014
Day 2
Once again, Costa Rican rice and beans set us up for another adventurous day.
We met Daniella and another Scout (not sure of his name so let´s call him Colin) who introduced us to the mini bus AKA the sardine tin. Unknowing and innocent of the bumpy ride ahead of us, we took our seats (although calling Beci´s and Amy´s bum resting spots ´seats´was optimistic).We held on tight.
We lived up to our Girlguiding roots and sung all the way to the valley, much to the leaders´ delight ;)
After running through some right crackers (Grease medley, Queen and early noughties pop hits), we arrived to see the valley in its entirety. It was absolutely beautiful; this time we know for definite that our pictures just can't do it justice.
We made several more stops to look at a massive dam, a suspect bridge and some gardens that, to our excitement, were rife with hummingbirds! We also stopped off to see more churches, including the oldest church still in use in Costa Rica. It was, of course, beautiful, as we are learning most things are here in Costa Rica!
Following a Costa Rican lunch (lots of rice!), we set off home to bake in our tin that we were learning to love and thinking about renaming 'the musicmobile' (those summer niiiiiiiiights!)
5:00pm was blog time as we arrived back at the hostel to the only bit of spare time to start writing we've had so far.
¡Pura vida!
Team Costa Rica
P.S We are trying to think of better synonyms for beautiful, promise!
Day 2
Once again, Costa Rican rice and beans set us up for another adventurous day.
We met Daniella and another Scout (not sure of his name so let´s call him Colin) who introduced us to the mini bus AKA the sardine tin. Unknowing and innocent of the bumpy ride ahead of us, we took our seats (although calling Beci´s and Amy´s bum resting spots ´seats´was optimistic).We held on tight.
We lived up to our Girlguiding roots and sung all the way to the valley, much to the leaders´ delight ;)
After running through some right crackers (Grease medley, Queen and early noughties pop hits), we arrived to see the valley in its entirety. It was absolutely beautiful; this time we know for definite that our pictures just can't do it justice.
We made several more stops to look at a massive dam, a suspect bridge and some gardens that, to our excitement, were rife with hummingbirds! We also stopped off to see more churches, including the oldest church still in use in Costa Rica. It was, of course, beautiful, as we are learning most things are here in Costa Rica!
Following a Costa Rican lunch (lots of rice!), we set off home to bake in our tin that we were learning to love and thinking about renaming 'the musicmobile' (those summer niiiiiiiiights!)
5:00pm was blog time as we arrived back at the hostel to the only bit of spare time to start writing we've had so far.
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| The cursed church |
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| The sardine tin can (Beci and Amy love their seats) |
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| Group action shot! |
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| Our lovely leaders - the three musketeers |
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| The oldest church in Costa Rica still in use |
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| Rolling hills! |
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| JUMP (apart from Lyndsey) |
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| Team Costa Rica 2014 |
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| We are normal, promise |
¡Pura vida!
Team Costa Rica
P.S We are trying to think of better synonyms for beautiful, promise!
Day 1: The City tour of San Jose and trouser prejudice!
28th July 2014
We awoke to a delicious Costa Rican breakfast including rice and beans.
Our tour of the city started with the meeting of Helen (International Guiding Commissioner of Costa Rica) and her sister Adrianna. We then met another Guider, also called Adrianna. Things were getting confusing already!
Site one on our tour was the chapel which was beautifully blue. We hope our pictures do it justice!
Next, the ´party venue´ of San Jose which was like an arts exhibition hall. We are now all keen to book it for our 18th; hoping the waiting list isnt too long.
After that, we went to the train station, National Park, library, the largest market of Costa Rica, the cathedral and many others!
Trouser prejudice reared its ugly head halfway through the tour. Only Hope, Becca and Sophie (the fully trousered trio- plus Sarah) were allowed into the parliamentary buildings. We got to sit in the Presidents and Secretary of State's chairs. It was awesome. Meanwhile, those of the group showing their knees chased butterflies around the park.
As we were making our way slowly back to our hostel from the city centre, we were shown the hard way why they call this the ´rainy season´. The heavens opened, shoes were mere sponges in a matter of minutes and we arrived back at the hostel pruny and dripping (Jenni's knickers are still drying out, a flag of our suffering, from the window of her room).
The evening consisted of a hilarious ´torch fire´ with the San Jose Scouts and Guides. We sang songs, danced dances and exchanged badges. It had all the things a good campfire should (even, incidentally, an actual fire as the flying lantern we tried to gracefully let fly burst into flames- luckily it was put out quickly by an on-hand scout!)
¡Adios Amigos!
Team Costa Rica xxx
We awoke to a delicious Costa Rican breakfast including rice and beans.
Our tour of the city started with the meeting of Helen (International Guiding Commissioner of Costa Rica) and her sister Adrianna. We then met another Guider, also called Adrianna. Things were getting confusing already!
Site one on our tour was the chapel which was beautifully blue. We hope our pictures do it justice!
Next, the ´party venue´ of San Jose which was like an arts exhibition hall. We are now all keen to book it for our 18th; hoping the waiting list isnt too long.
After that, we went to the train station, National Park, library, the largest market of Costa Rica, the cathedral and many others!
Trouser prejudice reared its ugly head halfway through the tour. Only Hope, Becca and Sophie (the fully trousered trio- plus Sarah) were allowed into the parliamentary buildings. We got to sit in the Presidents and Secretary of State's chairs. It was awesome. Meanwhile, those of the group showing their knees chased butterflies around the park.
As we were making our way slowly back to our hostel from the city centre, we were shown the hard way why they call this the ´rainy season´. The heavens opened, shoes were mere sponges in a matter of minutes and we arrived back at the hostel pruny and dripping (Jenni's knickers are still drying out, a flag of our suffering, from the window of her room).
The evening consisted of a hilarious ´torch fire´ with the San Jose Scouts and Guides. We sang songs, danced dances and exchanged badges. It had all the things a good campfire should (even, incidentally, an actual fire as the flying lantern we tried to gracefully let fly burst into flames- luckily it was put out quickly by an on-hand scout!)
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| Mini amphitheatre in the centre of San Jose |
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| Sophie, Becca, Sarah and Hope on the TV set for parliamentary interviews. |
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| Concrete cathedral |
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| The heavens open (roads turn to rivers) |
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| The 'symbol of ínternational Guiding friendship' (before it burned to ashes) |
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| The trousered trio take their seats in parliament |
¡Adios Amigos!
Team Costa Rica xxx
24 hours of travelling
27th July 2014
Sorry for the delay!!!
We have been awake far too long! 20 hours to be exact! We have travelled 7115km since Heathrow and have been through 3 security checks.
Whilst drafting this up, we are at gate D45 at Miami airport and everybody seems to still be awake.
Entertainment has resorted to taking photos of Zippy (the loveable Rainbow character) on Katie´s sloth, Antonio, and also them both on a nice officer´s police bike.
We are also scoffing jammie dodgers as we wont be allowed them through customs - again!
Flight Plan... In English Hours
5.15am - Met in Manchester Airport
7.30am - Flight to Heathrow
8.30am - Arrived at Heathrow
12.15pm -Flew to Miami
9.30pm - Arrived at Miami
1.50am - Flew to Costa Rica
4.30am - Arrived at San Jose, Costa Rica
6am ish - Arríved at our hostel - Kap's Place
And so it's safe to say that today was a really looooooooong day and we were grateful to see our beds at the hostel...
¡Hasta la vista!
Team Costa Rica xxx
Sorry for the delay!!!
We have been awake far too long! 20 hours to be exact! We have travelled 7115km since Heathrow and have been through 3 security checks.
Whilst drafting this up, we are at gate D45 at Miami airport and everybody seems to still be awake.
Entertainment has resorted to taking photos of Zippy (the loveable Rainbow character) on Katie´s sloth, Antonio, and also them both on a nice officer´s police bike.
We are also scoffing jammie dodgers as we wont be allowed them through customs - again!
Flight Plan... In English Hours
5.15am - Met in Manchester Airport
7.30am - Flight to Heathrow
8.30am - Arrived at Heathrow
12.15pm -Flew to Miami
9.30pm - Arrived at Miami
1.50am - Flew to Costa Rica
4.30am - Arrived at San Jose, Costa Rica
6am ish - Arríved at our hostel - Kap's Place
And so it's safe to say that today was a really looooooooong day and we were grateful to see our beds at the hostel...
¡Hasta la vista!
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| Miami Airport - Gate D45 |
Monday, 21 July 2014
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