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Published: August 23rd 2008
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Well.... this is it... the last blog. The rain has started to pour down here in Tamarindo (aka Tamagringo).... so no better time than now to duck in here and sign off. Hard to believe that our 35 day escape is about to come to an end!! It has been a while since my last blog (and i have received a few complaints... so my apologies). When I last blogged we were in Granda, Nicaragua and enjoying our four nights there. We hiked volcanos, enjoyed boat trips on the lake, watched the parade, took a carriage ride around the town... and relaxed. Probably the best time was the evening visit we made to Masaya Volcano. Wow... that was so cool. You arrive at the crater rim to see all this smoke fuming out of the center right in front of you. Then we walked around the rim, and also around the adjacent crater. Soon the sky was black and we were at the mouth of a cave. The cave entrance was small, but who knows how deep the cave was!! But, what was amazing were the hundreds, maybe thousands of bats that were flying out!! It was wild. At first you
could not see them, but could hear them and feel them pass overhead. The air was moving like a strong wind as the hurled past. As our eyes adjusted we could see hundreds just pouring out.... an arms reach away. I have seen this stuff on tv... but this was great. The kids loved it. All the time we were carrying gas masks in case the volcano fumes became too strong. In the dark of night we were taken to the volcano edge where we could peer down into the open cone and could see the red glow coming out. What a night that was!!
From lovely Granada it was a 1.5 hour drive to the border with Costa Rica. This took us along the shore of Lake Granada with amazing views of Isla Ometeppe and its twin volcanos. Shame that we never got out there, but you canĀ“t do everything. Changed vehicles and $$ at the chaotic border... paid $$ to someone for something... either leaving or arriving... and got stamped into CR. The rain began at the border... but stopped in time for us to enjoy most of the drive to the east side of Rincon de
la Vieja National Park. After 3 hours we were at our lodge (La Anita Rainforest Ranch)... which was on a macadamia farm right on the parks border. I picked this place for something different.... a change from what we had been doing. We walked the farm, stayed in 2 cute and simple cabins that were picture perfect, ate fresh farm food (including homemade chocolate, palm heart salad, grilled tilapia, fresh mango juice). We were the only guests for the first night.... and this place is run with a personal touch.... so the owners ate all meals with us and we became great friends. What lovely people. So many birds and insects.... even snakes! Our favorite bug was the leaf-mimicking mantis. Nightjars, kingfishers, toucans, parakeets... and more. Drove to a volcanic hot spring.... hiked up to a waterfall. Kids screamed on the edge of the water as it was coooold... while i braved the elements and stood below the pummeling shower. It was so refreshing after hiking through the rainforest. Tordes took pictures. Here we bathed in mud pools and had a mud bath which we all loved. It was a great day, and another unique experience. We loved our 2
nights there (no tv, no internet, no phone, nobody else, no towns, no shops). Then yesterday we were picked up for our transfer (3 hours) to Tamarindo. It was hard to say goodbye to Pablo and Anna.... and our 0900 departure became 1000. We arrived here in time for lunch.... a swim in the pool... an afternoon of watching surfers.. a beach stroll... a wander through town... then dinner by the beach. Tordes and I ate nachos 'as big as your ass' and the kids loved their chicken strips.
Today we dropped off our laundry and then hit the pool to soak up some last minute sun. It was HOT... but the showers began by 2pm and have been on and off for the rest of the day. Luca fell asleep at lunch (after about 3 hours in the massive pool).... and he is in bed... Riel just left this cafe... and I am here. As the rain is coming down like a waterfall, I will try to add as many pics as i can here..... giving you all something to look at.
Tomorrow.... well... the day will consist of visits to the beach and pool... both interrupted
no doubt by some last minute shopping and of course rain. I must dash now to collect our laundry and walk back in this shower. It seems strange publishing this last blog.... as in less then 48 hours we start the journey back to Vancouver.... via Miami (including an overnight) and Dallas. Uuuugh.... we don't want this to end. Oh well... there will be somewhere else to head to soon!!!
ciao from all of us!
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Diana
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Reality Check
Yep, escapism is great isn't it? It is going to be so HARD for you all to get back into the routine of normal life. Following your travels through your blogs has been great. But what I have enjoyed the most is seeing how adaptable the chiildren are and how much fun they have been having. They will be encouraging you to plan another adventure - bring it on!