Every
good idea has an origin and my trip to Central America all began mid-Iceland
trip with my mom. I had a conversation with our whitewater rafting guide, Mike,
and he asked where I was going next on this planet. Having touched foot on all
but one continent (Antarctica-beware I'm coming to get you soon enough-aka
after I win the lottery or retirement-whichever comes first). I realized that
Latin America was unknown territory for me and decided then and there on the
rafting bus that that would be my next destination. In the airport on the way
home from Iceland I studied the map of Central America, familiarizing myself
with the countries and considered how I could check off at least two and
possibly three countries in a two week school holiday. Fast forward to the
present and I'm now reminiscing about my adventures in Costa Rica with my new
found friends from G-Adventure and my incredible experiences with my sis, JL
and cousin, Allyson.
COSTA
RICA
Shout
out to my wicked friend and travel agent, Kim, who helped me to my book
G-Adventure tour-Costa Rica Quest. The anticipation built as I flew via Panama
knowing I'd soon be making lifelong friendships with strangers I was about to
spend a week exploring with. The trio! Turning up at the CR airport I instantly
met Carolyn and Paige, my new American besties. Day one Isaac, the fearless
leader, led the 16 of us from San Jose to La Fortuna stopping at a coffee
plantation along the way. Fact-light roast has more caffeine than dark roast
and espresso beans! La Fortuna-fortunate enough not to be pummeled with lava
from the volcano nearby the town, was quaint and offered a variety of hot
springs: both in a natural river where we surrounded ourselves with candles and
a more modern swim up bar style of hot water. Here is where our group began to
bond, over sweet boozes of course. Peter and Erin from Ottawa encouraged us to
hit the very, very fast and slippery-oh and dark water slide post coconut and
rum drinks. Let the fun begin!
Whitewater
rafting with the 5 of us solidified our friendship as we either sank or swam
together, literally. We cheered Pura Vida and slapped our paddles above after
each rapid with crazy monkey fingers, Jorge, our guide. Pura Vida translates
from Spanish to Pure Life: used as a greeting, a salutation, or just for a high
five! Watching the pictures back on the screen, we had a big laugh over Peter's
unexpected angry face pre, post, and during each rapid-oh and just idle waters,
too.
My
first spotting of a sloth was unexpectedly in a tree outside of a grocery
store. We saw her (and her baby holding on tight) on the same branch twice in
24 hours during our pit stops. Tough life, eh?
Off
to Monteverde. If I moved to CR, without a doubt it would be here. Up in the
mountains we were cooled down and were given lots of opportunity for adrenaline
seeking activities. I believe it was the zip lining that bonded us with the
Irish/Scottish couples: Emmet and Kirsty, and Damien and Claire. Seven fairly
easy lines led us to the Superman. 400m up and 1520m across on your belly. We
amped each other up, each of us knowing that the other was scared; yet blind
leading the blind in this case worked like a charm. I held my phone with white
knuckles in order to get a wicked video of the treetops from far, far above.
'Wow' pretty much sums it all up. But two supermen later and we were faced with
more decision-making. To Tarzan swing or not to? This was no question for me as
I have booked bungee jumping for the following day and needed to experience a
lesser of the two free falling evils. Damien got some vids on his much fancier
version of the Go-Pro (aka Go Explorer knock off) ;) and we laughed and rode
the wave of adrenaline all the way back to the canopy hut.
Sunsets
were among our favourite activities and we have no other to thank than 'perro'
the local dog that gave us plenty of laughs without even knowing. Perro (dog in
Spanish) followed us up the hill and engaged in unexpected wine tasting and
beer crushing. Silly selfies with Carolyn, Paige, Isaac, and I gave us
uncontrollable giggles as we reviewed our photos only to find Perro with his
nose in my solo cup of wine as us 4 idiots smiled unsuspecting. Perro posed for
several cervaza photos and gave us a sunset to remember and sore abs.
Bungee
jumping!!!! The one adrenaline seeking activity I felt was missing in my
repertoire. It took me no time to decide I must do this, but lots of time to
convince myself that I could. Thanks to those who shot my some perhaps BS
encouraging words pre-jump, they helped! I took a cable cart out in between two
mountains, and sweat buckets as the employees sang Spanish songs to me
interjecting my name here and there. Cheers! Count down was on 5-1 and I went
for a head first dive plummeting 100m and bouncing back up about 80m until I
settled at the bottom. 3 second fall, 60-second experience and hell yes I would
do it all over again. The anticipation of jumping is the only thing to fear,
which means you only really have yourself to fear. The fall is incredible and
exhilarating! Pura Vida!
Back
to Monteverde...The bar with the fig tree growing in it, the single local bar,
taco place, Orchid breakfast place, and the local gym are among my favourite
establishments and ones which developed friendships further.
Onwards
to Quepos, a busier beach town which provided a very fun St. Patrick's Day and
a great night spent with our Irish pals. We made a night to remember with salsa
dancing, shots, and jokes beginning with 'Do you mind...' in an Irish accent.
:P
Manuel
Antonio national park was a fantastic way to close our tour. But no day came
without some unexpected excitement. The sweaty walk through the monkey and
raccoon filled park to the beach amounted to more (or less) than we bargained
for. Carolyn, Paige, and I snuck by a bunch of people snapping pics of a
long nosed raccoon. But we were caught in the act as the raccoon sniffed
Carolyn's subway sandwich and proceeded to take it directly out of her hands
and enjoy his lunch while everyone looked on flashing their cameras.
1/4
sub between the two us and lots of laughs between us three and we left the
beach with an unfortunate sunburn souvenir but lots of memorable life chats.
<3 span="">
Our
tour soon wrapped up in San Jose and despite us heading in different
directions, we all left with the same fond memories and laughs for days to
come.
NICA
3am,
bus station, single white females styles waiting for the local bus to drop me
at the border of CR and Nica. Can't be that hard, right? Follow the crowd and
stay close to your belongings. 5 hours later I arrive at the outdoor facility
dubbed boarder crossing. Deep breaths followed by self talk led me to the line
up of 100s of locals heading home for Easter. Hot is an understatement. But I
kept my cool and followed the crowd. That is until step two of immigrations
where everyone dispersed. I walked alongside transport trucks on a dirt road
from one straw hut to another paying $1 admin fee here, $8 visa there. I stood
in lines not really knowing what was the hap until copying the people ahead of
me, handing over my passport/$USD. The words linear and organized would be a
far cry from how this outdoor immigrations operated, but I'm not here to bitch
... I feel a sense of pride for running the gauntlet to the other side. After
1.5 hours of crossing I nearly kissed my pre-planned taxi driver, Freddy, when
I saw him holding my name on the other side of the plywood exit. San Juan Del
Sur! Here I come!
I
met my sis and cuz at the Surfing Donkey hostel - to which they dubbed the Nica
Prison because of the heat - sans AC. I didn't care so much as it provided a
place and space to meet new amigos!! We followed some new friends to the
infamous Sunday Funday pool party and enjoyed a night of mojitos and Tona
beers.
Beach,
Yoga, Surfing, and beers pretty much sums up San Juan town. The three of us
LOVED our surf lessons and all managed to stand a few times. Yoga brought us
back to zen and Tona cervaza took us back up a bunch of notches at night. Lots
of new friends to be had from Can and US. Actually, the Nicas say Nicaragua is
like little Canada-we represent!
Off
to Ometepe island, an incredible island with two massive volcanoes in a fresh
water lake. The boat ride over was, well, interesting to say the least. Our new
friend from Van, Jesse, took the voyage with us. The boat was packed, to the
brim, with people, boxes of dried food, luggage galore, and smelled of the
sweet, sweet diesel fumes. The boat was small but that little tugboat braved
the crazy waves that in turn made us all go loco (crazy). What is now a
hilarious story to tell was a ride from hell with a tipsy boat and thrashing water
coming in the sides. Not gonna lie, the big Guy got a prayer sent up. 1.5 hours
of white knuckles and a near vomit bag and we arrived, feeling like we'd
survived a war boat of sorts. The life of a pirate is not pour moi!
Horacio
our taxi driver received one hell of a big hug as he held my name on paper on
the dock. Thought I'd never live to see the day. But call me crazy, I'd never
change that experience for anything. Travelling without bumps in the road (or
water) isn't real travelling.
Omepete
was an escape from the urban life and we relaxed in hammocks, private beach,
and natural springs. We stayed in between the two volcanoes so our view on
either side was impeccable.
One
final stop to Laguna de Apoyo, a volcanic crater filled with rainwater and now
a serene place to kayak and shoot the shit about how awesome our extended
family is over mucho drinks. We took a trip to Mombacho Volcano and hiked the
crater circumference. A few jump shots later and we descended to trek to
Granada, a picturesque Spanish town with delicious food options, markets,
beach, and colourful cathedrals-like a postcard from Espana.
One
final evening on our killer balcony reminiscing in fits of laughter and we
return home to our wonderful lives...while scheming the next vacation of
course. I'm inspired to learn Spanish before going on my next trip. A shout out
to all of the drivers and hotel employees who dealt with my Spanglish and kudos
to my offline translator app.
Mucho
Gracious to those who I met on this journey. You've given me a lot to remember
and have taught me life lessons that cannot be learned in any text.
Travelling is the only thing that you buy that makes your richer...
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