Mandala Appart'Hotel Puerto Viejo

... a crazy jungle path into the wilderness. We see the sign for recepcion and Daan (the dutch owner) show us to our place. Holy ****! Nothing short of amazing. Incredibly intricate wood work makes the place up ... complete with two hammocks in the living room, an outdoor shower a beautiful bedroom and kitchen, it's "roughing it" luxury. I mean we are literally living outside amoung the wildlife. it's crazy! We hit the beach for a while and then head to ...

... Rentals who is dishonest and rude - charges $24 one day and $40 the next for a scooter. Of course he didn't get my business and I hope you will avoid him too. The other is Jamallie, a local craft vendor who beat me out of $30....but that was my fault for believing that he would deliver me the hammock I asked him to bring me from another town like he said he would do if I gave him the money up front. I know better but thought I would give him the chance to prove ...

... he drinks) who wants to help her with her house, if she will go to bed with him. She has been witnessing to them and inviting them to church. Since she is Nicaraguan, according to Pastor Miguel, she is considered to be lower class, and is expected to perform favors in exchange for help because she is poor and in need. She has finally been able to talk to her mother in Nicaragua and asked her to send her birth certificate so she can get a passport to use as a form of ...

... nothing yet feel as if I am completely content. It has now become a "welcome" for the dogs. They have all decided to sleep inside the gate and want to stay all night. I tried to open the gate and call them but they just looked at me! I got the point and understood they were saying, "hey, you are here, this is ok, close the gate!" I hope all the guests who visit Casa Fiesta do the same and give these loving dogs attention as they love it.

... a little more difficult since I had to stop and think about what number came next. One of my friends held a jacket over me and the nest to keep the eggs drier. The bag that held the eggs got full of water from the rain. So I was essentially sticking my hand in a bag full of water and turtle fluid. Yes, this grossed me out. Finally I finished. Oh man...I was covered in sand and my right arm was covered in liquids ...

... was so thankful, she kept saying thank you all the time. It was great and touching to see everything that was going on in the retirement home, all the work that has already been accomplished, but also all the things that still need to be done. After a quick stop at the retirement home we went to a woman called Toribia to bring her all the food we bought before we left. Tropical Adventures is supporting her because she is a fighter. She is always ready ...

... people live their lives in the indigenous communities here. They just open their arms to their brothers. We're all humans and we're all the same. Whatever you have, you just share it. This speaks to the essence of ...

... to myself anyways. So he hooked me up and gave me a push and all I can tell myself is don't look down (or else you'll break and they have to save your ass in the middle of this long zip line) ...just look ahead ... but all you see is the zipline on a cloud background ... and no end in sight! I had to keep it together. You don't know how happy I was when I saw the landing! LOL The funny thing I was still nervous through all the zip lines until we reached the 3rd last ...

... fest with the youngens (says the old nana) so me and the spanish bailed pretty quickly. Luckily there was a vice for the past 3 weeks though - costa rican coffee.......WOW! and pretty much on tap...it wasn´t uncommon to suck back up to 10 cups a day while nattering over a coconut....must be good for you...right? And while the turtles were amazing and so gorgeous with their wise old faces and their little flipper wiggle to the water, the highlight came on land! Sandra and ...

... a real shame because I would have loved to have spent a day just wandering around the waterways at a relaxed pace (definitely would have been worth getting the camera out). Went back to Banana Azul Hotel near Puerto Viejo for two nights - nothing too spectacular to report there except more amazing food, great staff, great room and a very relaxing time (highly recommend Banana Azul ...