The Green Mountain (Monteverde)

 The great Monteverde is famous for two things, the incredible biologically rich cloud forest and the extreme adventures with zip lining and canopy tours. After a long windy dirt road trip up tp the mountain we booked a hanging bridge tour and a canopy adventure, then found a little cabin for the four of us to stay in. The Tour started by taking us through the upper area of the cloud forest because that is where most of the life is found. The humidity in the air at such a high altitude allows for a lot of life in the tops of the trees and the hanging brides get you closer to them as opposed to viewing the forest from the floor. We saw tarantulas (which could have skipped), a lot of insects, toucans and a few forest bottom feeders, not to mention a lot of interesting plant life. We learned allot about how this forest is unique and how things grow and live in it. Our tour guides consisted of one local guy and a orange tabby cat that followed us around and almost got in a fight with the tarantula. We went over many hanging bridges and climbed inside of trees too. Then the canopy tour began. It was your basic long zip lines to start, but then it got more interesting as we belayed down a tree and got to fly superman style (on your tummy) on the longest zip line. To finish the tour off there was a Tarzan swing, which was half of a bridge where you jump 40 metres, free fall and swing. I got to the edge and decided ummm no friggen way lol. Thought I was brave but I just could bring myself to jump.

That evening I got really sick with a fever, cough, body aches and so on, I guess you can’t escape everything in tropical paradise. I was just glad I was in a private room at the time, it sucks being sleepy or sick in room with a bunch of roommates. I managed to pull myself together enough to make it through the night and make the long journey from Monteverde to Nicaragua....which is a whole new story.

Te Amo Tamarindo

We decided to stay in Tamarindo until Tuesday because Koi  the sushi restaurant had all you can eat sushi for 20$ on Mondays.  The sushi was amazing and we ate so much, while also enjoying cheep beers and good company. We all fully had intensions of going out to party after dinner but you can imagine how full we all were so bed was the best option for that night.    To feel better about stuffing our faces with sushi the next day me and a friend walked down past the point on the beach which took about 3 hours. It was really cool as every inlet brings about a new type of sand, waves and view. There were also a lot of tidal pools and a lot of coral reef which means a lot of beautiful ocean spray off of them. As we finally got to a calm place in the ocean I went for a swim and then I remembered there were salt water crocodiles or alligators (can’t remember which type) in the area, that made me get out  of the water pretty fast.

 The next day Game 7 Canucks was on and after watching them win we definitely celebrated.  It happened to be the most perfect night for it because the beers were 2$, shots of Guaro we 1$ and the table soccer was free. Not that I would recommend drinking Guaro because it is pretty terrible and it completely contributed to my hang over the next day. That being said I missed my bus to Nicaragua so I spent a few more days in Tamarindo at the beach. I think that is one of the best things about travelling alone and having so much time. I can choose to stay or go to new places whenever I feel like it. That being said my plans changed instead, Jimmy and I rented a car with another Danish couple and went directly east to Monteverde before going to the Nicaraguan border.

Guanacaste Region

Beach Bum

The last few days I have been exploring the many beaches around the Tamarindo area. I rented a skim board the second day I was here and I guess I forgot how bad I was because a 7 year old was giving me a hard time lol. Though it was the perfect beach for it and it was definitely fun and to top it off I saw two boston terriers that really made my day! Their names were Pucha and Mia, Mia wasn’t too friendly at first she was a little overprotective of her momma but Pucha was nice and cuddly. That night we just had a few drinks on the beach and listened to music.

The next day we went to another beach just outside of Tamarindo and met up with my friend from Denmark, then we all went for dinner to a little restaurant at the end of the main strip. As of midnight the alcohol band was off so we went to a club called Pacifio and danced for a few hours.  This town although it is very Americanized is friendly and brings in a lot of people from San Jose for the holidays. I have met a lot of very fun and friendly Costa Ricans in this town and am really enjoying my time here.

Tamarindo

I decided to go to Tamarindo on Wednesday because this week is the Semana Santa or something, anyway it is a National Holiday and no where serves alcohol on Thursday and Friday, so I wanted to be in a place and then stock up as opposed to lugging around a bunch of alcohol. The bus ride was over 6 hours but worth it because I didn’t make a reservation but was lucky enough to find a hostel with a pool, a/c, hot water and wi fi for 12$. As soon as I got there I was going to go into town to buy some groceries and alcohol and a local couple from the hostel offered me a ride into town. We ended up hitting it off and I went with them to Playa Conchal beach to watch the sunset. The Beach is called conchal because conchal means shell in Spanish and the sand on the beach is actually crushed shells as opposed to rock. The beach was beautiful though the sunset was lost behind an island we did see a drunk large dude falling asleep on the beach which was pretty funny. After the beach the three of us made dinner, they shared their homemade chicken lasagne and I made a salad and got some fresh bread and made a warm garlic sauce. Though I am in a room with 3 other boys I am really loving this hostel and this town and I just found out that a few people I was previously travelling with are going to come and visit me in a few days!

I don’t think I will ever get sick of the little geckos that run around the walls in Costa Rica or the red and purple crabs who run with their claws in the air in the most unusual places. Not to mention that every hostel seems to have a pet, Tamarindo has two kittens that are really friendly and one dog.

Long Way to the Top if you Wanna Rock and Roll

Today we climbed like a 45 degree hill to get to this waterfall. There we jumped off a few cliffs and were able to see one of the waterfalls that no one has ever jumped off of and lived. We were also watching a local swan dive off of this tree into one of the waterfall pools, it was probably 100 feet!! On the way back to the hostel we found some really long vines and played jump rope, then we raided a mango tree. For dinner we were recommended by Central American food critics to go to a place called Puggo’s, which is owned by an Israeli woman. That is definitely one recommendation I am glad we followed through with. I ordered mushroom caps and a greek salad and the table was brought a fresh baked rustic Italian bread with a heated olive oil dip. To drink I have a lemonade, mint and vodka slushy that was amazing and to top off the evening a live local band came in to the restaurant and played for us.

There were so many cool little shops in this town but most of it was expensive, I did however buy a new bikini, since my other ones got pretty messed up from surfing. IN the later night Jimmy made me sign in front of a big group of people, but I think  all this exposure is helping immensely with my stage fright so I guess I am thankful that  am growing as a “musician” and that people like to hear me. Beign the last night in town a bunch of us went out to the local bar (we met a couple from Sweden and the US and a group of people from Norway).  The best thing was that for me it was ladies night as the bar tender would not let me pay for drinks again!

Montezuma

The easiest way to get to Montezuma is by taxi boat in 1 hour. It is a little hippy town on the beachit reminds me of Salt SPring Island actaully as it has that vibe to it. As we were on the boat we stopped in the middle of the ocean to see this huge pod of dolphins jumping and playing around our boat. Although there are many amenities that this hostel is missing, including internet It is literally ON THE BEACH it is so beautiful, actually the only thing in between my room and the ocean is a bunch of beach hammocks. During the day we explored the town and found a nice hotel with a huge pool that I plan to sneak into and we met a 2 month old puppy that stole my heart. Speaking of stealing a little boy named Ryan who I became really good friends with stole my glasses off my face and wore them lol. In the evening I jammed with a guy how had a guitar and another guy with a flute on the beach. We then walked along the beach to the only bar in the town and had a really good time. We met a couple right away and the bartender would not make me pay for drinks (love those nights, hate those mornings).  Planning on tackling on of Montezumas Famous waterfall today

Chao Jaco

My last few days in Jaco I got a hair wrap and bought a cool hat to cover my sunburn. When My hair was getting done I met the ladies daughter, her name was Coral and we shared some papas together while she introduced me to her Barbies. I love talking to chicos (kids) in Spanish because they  speak slowly and they dont judge when I speak Spanish like a two year old, there are just happy to meet new people. We also went to Hermosa again for a surf competetion and I bought a cool rainbow ball that was eaten by a big dog, but all was good as soon as the sunset started!

I Love Sushi

The hostel I am staying at is filled with great people, great music and comfy chairs but there are so many boys it smells like dirty socks ahhhhh. I did however fall in love with Roxy the puppy at the hostel. We went for a run and played on the beach, she is actually trained to stay with your stuff on the beach while you surf and growl at people if they try to take your stuff. Fridays at Tsunami are a tradition at the School of the World, today a friend from Denmark and I went early for dinner and we had the absolute best sushi I have ever tasted and some white wine. I hands down put that meal and experience as one of the best dinners I have ever had. The evening continued with ladies night (free drinks) and we went to opening night of a new night club in Jaco with all my friends from the school.

Lugares Lugares

Looks like Nicaragua won.... I am currently back in Jaco and going to Montezuma tomorrow, but I think it was meant to be because within the first few hours of beign here I bought a small guitar from a guy at the hostel for 50$. It has a beautiful history, a funny sticker and it is the lightest 6 string I could have found (great for travelling). I am one happy chica! Being back in Jaco also gave me a really great feeling, it was like home (which is pretty weird) and today I took on the sea my first day surfing on my own. I think the point goes to the sea though, the waves were fast the sun was hot and I brushed up against the top of a sting ray but luckily didn’t get stung. I consider myself lucky though because the only battle wounds are the sun burn bruise on my knee and a little hit on my pride as I clearly sucked out there and I mooned the beach more times than I can count. So tonight I eat sushi for half price get free drinks at ladies night and take on a new beach tomorrow. On a side note I don’t have purple hair anymore thanks to the Costa Rican sun, though I still am rocking out the green/blonde compliments of the hostels pool.

Quepos

Not too much to see or do here in this little fishing town, but it was close to Manuel so I stayed here another night. My plans were to go to Panama but meeting people that are going north to Nicaragua seems like a better Idea since I may run outta money L. Today I pondered a lot about where I want to go next and how long I should stay in each place blah blah before long I fell asleep by the pool and woke up a few hours later with a sunburn. To lift my spirits I went to explore the little town and I found a small street market and the people were so nice they were helping me with my Spanish. Then in the evening I watched the sun set by the ocean on this sort of board walk of large rocks that were heated perfectly form the hot sunny day we had. Apparently tonight there is another ladies night in town so that is where I am going tonight then tomorrow will be a draw....Panama vrs Nicaragua.... We had some pre drinks it wasn't good white wine but it was "clos" lol (yes momma I pulled one of your puns haha).