Il Viandante Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve

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... a tree trunk bridge & going through the bamboo forest, but turned back just before the fright fork that would have got me to other swimming holes.

Finally back on route, found the falls but the river was so swollen after recent rains I was dubious about going into the main flow & getting washed down to the lower pool from which there was no way out except down. Went in at the smaller side falls which were more sedate.

... the following day we were to travel to Nicaragua. I was looking forward to things getting cheaper and a better temperament.

Blood was again beginning to flow as I fealt the confines of a rich country ebbing away and looked forward to the sunshine of the pacific coast and a whole new adventure to begin. Most of all, I just wanted to sit in a Cafe again and not have to worry that if I had another Rum, weŽd be going seriously over-budget. Costa Rica it is. The Rich Coast.

... the Moutain of Death.

The Moutain of Death is a mountain range on the InterAmerican Highway that got that name long before cars were around when people used to cross this moutain range by foot, horse, or donkey. Many people died back then and this moutain was almost the dealth of poor Wesley as well! We barely made it over the pass as Wesley was sputtering, blowing smoke, and wouldnŽt go over 40 kms. We even pulled over and Devin replaced the fuel filter as ...

... quite a dated look. On the walls were paintings by Paul Warren Smith, the owner’s father and he must have been a very prolific artist as there were hundreds of them. The owners were one of the first American arrivals in this area in the 1950s.

We did the trail around the hotel but didn’t see anything except for a few birds. In fact the weather was quite cold and you almost felt you could have been back home in the UK not in the tropics!
Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, Province of Puntarenas, Costa Rica jowhiting

Just a quick blog to keep you up to date
Had to change plans as there was no space at Sirena Ranger Station. Margarita was able to organise alternative route into Corcovado
Got Marvi bus to Sierpe. Stayed in good cabinas and had excellent meal in their restaurant

... We did see several local species of reptiles, but none of the cages were labeled, we couldn't take pictures and most of the lights were off. My recommendation would be to do the zip line, maybe do the hanging bridges and skip the other stuff. It costs too much and it is awful.

After we left, we went to our hotel, Fonda Vela. Check-in was fast and the rooms were huge with a king bed and a queen bed. We had a nice view of the grounds. Our cell phones did ...

... sweaty Ticos for dance partners. They whisked us around that floor like nobodies business! I don't think I've ever spun and dipped so much! We then headed back to the hostel with our disgusting sweat-stained clothes and chatted with other guests about what we should do while in town. The next morning we got up pretty early and headed to La Catarata, a gorgeous waterfall. It was a bit pricey ($6 cab, $10 entry) but was well worth it.It cascades through black ...

... property are two English Mastiffs (enormous), two Dobermans, and a miniature pincher, then we had our locked gate and our bedrooms locked. Plus it was so relaxing in our kitchen to lie in the hammock and read or chat with others. They even had a salt-water pool to enjoy if the beach felt a little two far. Definitely canŽt complain especially since the cost was about the same per person as our hostel in San Jose! We loved it so much that we are thinking about returning ...

... except to take that picture by the sign to say we made it. Still, we had gotten to 11,150 feet... which was no small feat! We went back to sleep and hiked out around 6, so as to miss the afternoon rain. The way down was even worse than coming up - the rain had made the path soo much muddier and the pack horses coming up to bring supplies to the base had stirred it all up. Nelle and I each fell twice and upon arrival back at Roca Dura, we were caked in mud!