October 9, 2014
After a good night sleep at the Swiss hotel and typical Costa Rican breakfast consisting of pinto gallo ( rice and black beans), fruit, toast eggs and coffee, we started to the rain forest near the volcano. It rained most of the night so things were muddy. As we got to the Lake Arvenal area we stoped for a break at the German cafe. Mike had a bratwurst and rest of us had a sweet with our coffee. This area is filled with Germans, Brits, Swiss and Americans who have moved there to live there. It is beautiful area but rains about 365 inches per year. So one needs not to complain if they elect to live there.
We finally got to our destination after three hours of ride and using a detour which was a bad in term of Costa Rica roads.
We visited a private reserve of rain forest plants and animals. They had some unusual birds and flowers. I spend a lot of time photographing them. We enjoyed the birds and the butterfly gardens but was a not excited about the heat. But we survived and learned a lot.
Our afternoon was spend at a resort overlooking the volcano. We were able to soak our pains in the hot mineral baths and relaxed. Then we headed to San Jose for our night in the airport hotel. We all deserve a good night.
It was a great trip and hate to return. When I get home and around my computer I will edit the blog to add photos of the trip..
Friday, October 10, 2014
Cloud Forest
October 8,2014
It was an early morning for us. We checked out of our condo at 5 am and was picked up by Mark, our tour guide for the next two days. We had the privilege to have him last Sat for he river cruise. He has a degree in natural resources and teaches as he guides. He has a great outlook of life-- pura vida! Life is an adventure,
We drove for three hours on the back roads and had a great Costa Rica massage. We did stop for a great breakfast and couple of photo ops. We got to see some toucan birds and monkeys. We arrived for our cloud forest tour which was consisting of walking on top of the forest on paths and over 8 suspension bridges ranging from 100 to 550 feet long. Yes I was able to do it without any problems. It was beautiful and we saw so many different things. Remember that in a cloud forest 85% of animals and plants live on the top because there are no sun at the floor. We saw some incredible moss and tree roots growing down the tree trunk.
After a 2 1/2 walk we visited a butterfly garden and a reptile house. It was really great morning. Then we had lunch at a great cafe that was in no where. They also roasted their own coffee beans. Reminded me of our coffee times in Ethiopia.
After lunch we went to our Swiss hotel and rested till 6 pm. Then we headed to a private reserve to look for nocturnal animals. We saw a green snake, 2 toe sloth, ants filling the nest, frogs, bats and a lizard. It was okay but I felt like we were crazy people running around trying to see animals in the dark. We welcomed our return to the hotel for a good night sleep.
It was an early morning for us. We checked out of our condo at 5 am and was picked up by Mark, our tour guide for the next two days. We had the privilege to have him last Sat for he river cruise. He has a degree in natural resources and teaches as he guides. He has a great outlook of life-- pura vida! Life is an adventure,
We drove for three hours on the back roads and had a great Costa Rica massage. We did stop for a great breakfast and couple of photo ops. We got to see some toucan birds and monkeys. We arrived for our cloud forest tour which was consisting of walking on top of the forest on paths and over 8 suspension bridges ranging from 100 to 550 feet long. Yes I was able to do it without any problems. It was beautiful and we saw so many different things. Remember that in a cloud forest 85% of animals and plants live on the top because there are no sun at the floor. We saw some incredible moss and tree roots growing down the tree trunk.
After a 2 1/2 walk we visited a butterfly garden and a reptile house. It was really great morning. Then we had lunch at a great cafe that was in no where. They also roasted their own coffee beans. Reminded me of our coffee times in Ethiopia.
After lunch we went to our Swiss hotel and rested till 6 pm. Then we headed to a private reserve to look for nocturnal animals. We saw a green snake, 2 toe sloth, ants filling the nest, frogs, bats and a lizard. It was okay but I felt like we were crazy people running around trying to see animals in the dark. We welcomed our return to the hotel for a good night sleep.
Monday, October 6, 2014
Relaxing at the Costa Rica beach
October 6, 2014
Our resort, Condovac, is a piece of paradise with beautifully tucked in the hills and beach. We have a two bedroom place with an upstairs villa. It is small but comfortable. We are in the 4th row which is 2 rows away from the beach. They have a truck with seats to take us around the property. It is lush and very green with flowers everywhere. The sunsets are beautiful from anywhere on the resort.
We had a river cruise on Saturday and will leave the property for a tour of the volcano, mud baths and walk over the rainforest on Wednesday and Thursday. We will stay near the volcano and then go back to San Jose on Thursday night. Our trip ends Friday. This will save us 8 hours of traveling time.
The boys went fishing on Sunday. Mike got a 40 lb rooster fish which they do not eat. So he got some pics and returned to the sea. Chip did not get anything. Their other fishing buddy got an 80 lb rooster fish. They had good weather and lots of fun. The girls slept in and hang out at the beach.
Today we swam and sun at the pools. I really enjoyed the adult pool because the back wall at a wonderful view of the ocean and the water was cooler than the other pools. We had lunch by the pool and just relaxed. We visited with an American how lives here half time. We have ran into a few Americans who call this region home.
You can see that we are very happy with the area and having a good time. We may have to come back again. Sorry about no pics but can't figure out how to do it. We will add the when we get home.
Thursday, October 2, 2014
Last day in Panama
October 2, 2014
Time in Panama is quickly coming to an end. We had a great two days in the rainforest with couple of boat rides and saw some animals. We visited the Atlantic Ocean and Conlon. It is a totally different view from the Pacific side. The Altantic side is poor and run down while the other side is full of skyscrapers and building everywhere.
What is it like in the rainforest? It is very humid and everything is lush and bugs are,plentiful. But it is beautiful. We were able to see things not like the northern US.
Yesterday we spent the day at a resort on the Pacific Ocean. It was a relaxing day and was able to walk the beach, seat by the pool and play games. It was good to have a down day and rest. We have been going like mad people for three weeks and needed it. It is hot and humid here which makes us tired.
Today we returned to Panama City and get ready for our trip back to Costa Rica. We will have our farewell dinner this evening.. On can't complain about this tour. We have had great rooms and the food has been good. Too much since it is a buffet all three meals. It has spoiled us last night we were able to order from a menu and I had suchi. It was great. I keep wondering how Caravan makes any money.
It has been a great adventure..
Time in Panama is quickly coming to an end. We had a great two days in the rainforest with couple of boat rides and saw some animals. We visited the Atlantic Ocean and Conlon. It is a totally different view from the Pacific side. The Altantic side is poor and run down while the other side is full of skyscrapers and building everywhere.
What is it like in the rainforest? It is very humid and everything is lush and bugs are,plentiful. But it is beautiful. We were able to see things not like the northern US.
Yesterday we spent the day at a resort on the Pacific Ocean. It was a relaxing day and was able to walk the beach, seat by the pool and play games. It was good to have a down day and rest. We have been going like mad people for three weeks and needed it. It is hot and humid here which makes us tired.
Today we returned to Panama City and get ready for our trip back to Costa Rica. We will have our farewell dinner this evening.. On can't complain about this tour. We have had great rooms and the food has been good. Too much since it is a buffet all three meals. It has spoiled us last night we were able to order from a menu and I had suchi. It was great. I keep wondering how Caravan makes any money.
It has been a great adventure..
Panama City and the Canal
September 30, 2014
What a wonder of the world? It is truly amazing how the canal was built. It swag started by the French in late 1880's and failed because of disease and not the right equipment. In 1903 the US and Teddy Roosevelt tried again. The locals called him the" cowboy president"! It is amazing how they dug the canal and the narrows. It was a MD saved people from the diseases from draining water from standing and netting.
The locks are operated by gavity and no pumps.. The pipes that fill each lock is 180 feet wide. It will fill the lock up or empty in 8 minutes.. The lock system was developed because the water elevation is higher in he middle. So you have to be raised or lowered depending on the direction you are traveling. There are three locations of the locks- Pacific Ocean, Atlantic Ocean and Pedro Miquel. To take a ship though the canal one has to wine money for the fare to the canal authority at least 48 hours prior and then you will receive your assigned time. Then you will wait in the bay until your time is coming.. As a shop captain you will surrender the ship over to a canal ship,pilot and they take the ship though the canal. It takes an average of 8-10 hours to go though the canal. The alternative is 30 days around South American. Our tour boat that seats 400 cost $3500 for the passage though two locks. The Panamian government makes $2 billion dollars per year from the fares. The canal allows 35-40 ships per day to go though the canal.
The canal authority are expanding with new locks to allow the larger ships pass though. We watched couple of ships that only had 12 inches of clearance on each side.. It is amazing..
We enjoyed our time in the canal museum and watching the ships in the locks.
I am amazed how people in the early 20th century worked with not so modern equipment to build some great things in the world-- Panama Canal, Rushmore presidents, Hoover dam and the Alaskan hi way.
What a wonder of the world? It is truly amazing how the canal was built. It swag started by the French in late 1880's and failed because of disease and not the right equipment. In 1903 the US and Teddy Roosevelt tried again. The locals called him the" cowboy president"! It is amazing how they dug the canal and the narrows. It was a MD saved people from the diseases from draining water from standing and netting.
The locks are operated by gavity and no pumps.. The pipes that fill each lock is 180 feet wide. It will fill the lock up or empty in 8 minutes.. The lock system was developed because the water elevation is higher in he middle. So you have to be raised or lowered depending on the direction you are traveling. There are three locations of the locks- Pacific Ocean, Atlantic Ocean and Pedro Miquel. To take a ship though the canal one has to wine money for the fare to the canal authority at least 48 hours prior and then you will receive your assigned time. Then you will wait in the bay until your time is coming.. As a shop captain you will surrender the ship over to a canal ship,pilot and they take the ship though the canal. It takes an average of 8-10 hours to go though the canal. The alternative is 30 days around South American. Our tour boat that seats 400 cost $3500 for the passage though two locks. The Panamian government makes $2 billion dollars per year from the fares. The canal allows 35-40 ships per day to go though the canal.
The canal authority are expanding with new locks to allow the larger ships pass though. We watched couple of ships that only had 12 inches of clearance on each side.. It is amazing..
We enjoyed our time in the canal museum and watching the ships in the locks.
I am amazed how people in the early 20th century worked with not so modern equipment to build some great things in the world-- Panama Canal, Rushmore presidents, Hoover dam and the Alaskan hi way.
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