Advertisement
Published: October 13th 2006
Braids and Dreds!
The dreds are new here so you can still see the twists but when I can get hold of some beeswax... :)Hi all,
Well I dragged myself down to the internet cafe to let you know that we're spending a great few days (about 5) on the Caribbean coast!
I'm telling you it was hard since I was in a hammock in the sun with the cool breeze blowing through the palm trees as I looked out towards the blue blue ocean and waves breaking over the coral reef...
So yes, we are literally hanging out here at an awesome hammock hotel - rockin j's. Right on the beach, this place is massive with everything you need, including cafe and bar. It is covered in artwork and mosaics, which of course we can contribute to if we have nothing better to do.
Rockin j's is in Puerto Viejo de Talamanca, which is just south of Puerto Limon. For the next 10 days there are massive all day and all night carnavals happening in the streets of Puerto Limon to celebrate different cultures and races as well as Columbus Day (landing of Christopher Columbus). We headed to Limon for the kick off today, but only got half way before a passport check stopped us. We hadn't bought our passports for the day
Hammock Hotel
Our hammock hotel - a small section of Rockin J's hostel for fear of losing them, so had to head back to Puerto Viejo! Ah well, there is no accomodation in Limon anyway now, and puerto viejo is its own swinging little town.
This side of Costa Rica is very different to the Pacific but with the same laid backness. Seriously here, the reggae never stops and you can never feel tense.
We actually think the beaches were nicer on the pacific with easier waves, gorgeous sand and no killer coral reefs. Oh, we met a guy who got stung by something very nasty on the beach at night and his foot was in incredible pain for days. The hospital recommended 6 hourly injections of pain killers and anti-inflammatories for 2 days it was that bad. So we've learnt to be wary on that account.
Unfortunately we've had to become more wary of people too, since our friend from Finland got mugged while walking home with Ali the other night. Not hurt, but everything including camera and credit card stolen poor thing.
We managed to spend about 6 hours on the beach the other day with a rasta chick (Andrea) we met, who ended up doing our hair in
View from a hammock
The viewpoint from lying in a hammock in the tree house tv lounge dreds and braids for soo cheap. What dreds?? Yes thats right, I got them done. Check out the photo and tell me what you think, 'cos I'm seriously considering washing them out soon (she used the wash out technique so don't worry!). But it all works here, the vibe suits dreds...
Updated - 15.10.06
Oh, I have to tell you about our last day in the Caribbean! Jo, Miia (the girl travelling with us from Finland) and I hired bikes in Puerto Viejo and rode to a lovely beach town called Manzanillo about 12km south of Puerto Viejo. Although 24kms on one of those bikes can take a toll on your behind, wow, the feeling of riding along the potholed, rocky dirt roads in the caribbean is amazing - the snatches of reggae and latin music and calls of hello as you pass houses, the humid breeze in your face wafting chocolate smells from the cocoa plantations and the views of the blue blue sky and palm beaches all made me feel like I belonged. Not to mention the MOST BEAUTIFUL beach we have ever seen in all our lives - Punta Uva, about half way to Manzanillo. WOW,
El Charritos
The mexican bar at Rockin J's. Everywhere is covered with mosaic talk about white sand, clear warm water and palm trees. And the sun just gently browns even ME. No burning! We love this place
Advertisement
Tot: 0.111s; Tpl: 0.011s; cc: 13; qc: 61; dbt: 0.0623s; 1; m:domysql w:travelblog (10.17.0.13); sld: 1;
; mem: 1.2mb
Gillian
non-member comment
I am reading - and loving - your blogg !!
Hey Catherine - I am devouring your blogg and your adventures !! Keep them both going ...... and be good - and be happy - and be safe !! Gillian xx