The Pearl of the Osa Puerto Jimenez

... with hand-made paper lanterns. They looked like buildings and homes in the countries colours of Blue, Red and White.<br><br>We planned to stay at Pavones for a week but the weather changed and became very rainy, so we decided to move on to PANAMA. Costa Rica will be missed because of the abundance of pristine nature and refreshing friendliness of the Ticos and Ticas. It's obvious why millions of foreigners choose to travel to this country and sometimes never leave.<br><br> <br>

... You wouldnt think that in Puerto Jimenez, they were the first thing we saw as we got off the dock. Two pairs flying above us, their bright colours glinting in the hot sun. Macaws are not shy, they squawk and screech like nobody's business so you always know where they are. Jamie, the tout that had been standing at the dock who walked with us into town said that the town had about 50 pairs flying around. Macaws mate for life so you will normally always see them flying in twos or ...

... the two worst nights of sleep I've had in quite a while, the dorm beds were that uncomfortable. I could barely find the energy to stand up and smile for a post-expedition photo! The two hour colectivo taxi ride back was great fun - the "taxi" is basically just a lorry with two bench seats in the back, along either side. Imagine how bumpy that ride was, along dirt roads (and through small rivers) that normally only a 4WD with proper suspension would attempt!

... This communal fact of life in Corcovado means you end up meeting far more people than you would in a hotel. As a result you have an instant group of friends to swap stories with, discuss the day, tomorrows tours and share that all important cold beer on a steamy hot evening. It was always going to be a bit of a shock to the system being here after Buena Vista Villas, as I said it's basic. I'm not sorry for saying that ...

... extensive medicinal herb garden and explained the uses of the various herbs. The family wanted photos taken and for us to help publicize the experience. This exciting, unique adventure adds to the Costa Rican experience! Contact Max 2376-4806 or use the pulperia # 2200-5356. Don Luis has a son ...

... I ate with another local family twice.  When I went back to Puerto Jimenez, a local guy decided to show me the caimans for free, then we went sea-kayaking on the gulf.  All of these encounters with local people were in Spanish, which made me proud because I couldn't even get through customs or communicate with my host families in the first 3 weeks of this trip.  And it's sad to leave because there's a good chance that I'll forget a lot when I return to the U.S.  In ...

My last full day in Bocas was nice. I think I left on Monday. On Sunday I went on a dolphin watch/2 snorkeling sites/beach trip. It was so cool!! We saw about 6 bottle nose dolphins jumping and playing. It was very cool. Then we went to a shallow reef for snorkeling which I saw some coral, most it was dead, and a whole lot of fish. We left there and went to the ``best beach`` in Bocas called Red Frog beach. The beach is a national park and to enter the beach we had to walk about 5 ...

... to do a bit of travelling with the likes of us!!! excited!!! she should be here within a couple of days, and what could be better than travelling with my two amazing friends?!?! on the bad end of the scale however i have had an allergic reaction on my feet from my flip flops. right where my straps are i have a horrendous rash that, and as much as you may not want to hear this, too bad ...

... pairs of two since they mate for life. They are really colorful and really beautiful. The closer we got to the middle of no where, the more we saw. Really cool to see them out in their natural habitat and not in some cage or zoo. We botched the sunset and watched it from an opening on the dirt road (more on this in tomorrows entry) towards the town of Carate. Luckily there is one spot 1km ...