Hotel El Villaggio Nicoya

... river at the appropriate time and place, which I found out I had not done the previous day). We enjoyed the beautiful beach and hung out with some of the local Ticos who also worked at the camp during the week. The boys had a little boat and took a few of us out to a gorgeous island about half an hour off shore. The water there was so warm, it felt like a bathtub, and we ate fresh ceviche and suntanned until dark. That night, we had a barbeque and ate some more amazing food and ...

La Isla Tortuga in the Gulf of Nicoya is a good day trip getaway. We joined Calypso Cruises for some fun under the sun, which turned out to be too much sun. We arrived in the island around 11:30a from Punta Arenas, which was a little over an hour sail. And wow, the sun was beaming in full strength. From the time we boarded the catamaran, most guests had already stripped down to their swim suits. I definitely wanted to soak up some sun, and put in quality beach time….but holy moley, I ...

... hopeful. We have learned not to give up too soon. On the upper edge of town we spotted a sign to the nature reserve. A few kilometers up a winding road we approach the gates and drive through to a parking lot. We immediately feel comfortable in this forest haven. It is dark here but not so late. We step out into the eery misty bliss to find someone. Finally through the dim lights we spot someone standing beside a building who was ...

... during breakfast--a five year-old boy was quite taken by her and grabbed her hand to take her for a closer look at the offending lizard. Although Catharine was perhaps looking for a slightly older male companion, as the male half of the American couple sitting next to us pointed out, the kid would be much easier to train! I wish I could say that we spent the rest of our day exploring Costa Rica's rainforests or other natural wonders. But, no ...

... they are still going strong and having increase. Last night I went to a sisters house, she had a couple local sisters over and all of the sisters that are serving in Nicoya from the states (there are 6 now!). So we had a great time, trying to play marimba, one sister was teaching the locals to dance swing, it was alot of fun. Then we went to the one sisters apartment to watch a movie and talk ...

... clerk gave us a room with balcony view of Volcano Arenal. Also breakfast is included, great deal !!! After we settled into our room, we went to the tour agency to start our Volcano Arenal hike. As it turns out, we just hike near the volcano area without really climbing the volcano. Unfortunately, the entire afternoon was raining hard, we didnīt get to see too much of the volcano. The hike was in the rainforest. It ...

... hotel and got a private room for $10. FYI - don't pre-book on hostels.com, because you never get your "deposit" back, and the site charges you an extra $2. My room was the size of a bed, with a small table and an ensuite skinny bathroom with a shower. but it felt WONDERFUL to have my own space. i took my sweet time in the shower, enjoying my complimentry soap and using up the last of my shampoo so i wouldn't have to take it home. i dried off with my ...

... and using the internet and sunning ourselves. Tomorrow (after all the admin of today) we'll hit the beach. Jennah's friend Tina is joining us on thursday for a week adn they'll both be leaving MArch 1st (at which point I hope Jay will come down for 2 days, but currently it's up in the air). I haven't bought my ticket to Cuba yet as I'm waiting to see whether my friend Mia can join me from Bermuda, but I'm pretty excited about it. Otherwise life here is pretty ...

... or lighted town square, but hot water did not seem to be a big thing in Nicoya.  So I settled for Hotel Yenny/Jenny, which had the benefit of being right across the street from two of the town's internet points and very close to both the square and the station. We got checked into a room, only to find that it was stifling and neither one of us could make the A/C work.  We went down to ask for another room, only to have the desk clerk look aggrieved and ...

... totally different situation. I don't know how to explain this. Every thing here is so rich, there is no time to be board, or feel lonely. I am having a wonderful time here, and the more I give to Costa Rice, the more it gives to me. I guess this country has accepted me and I am lucky to enjoy its charms. This weekend in Puerto Viejo I was in t eh most amazing camp site. The first night we slept with my friends in a tent, but the next night I ...