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Published: February 10th 2009
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Ok, so the backspace button is a bit effed up here, but the usb plugs work. Too bad uploading pictures seems to be a bit much for this computer. Pictures later again. The Germans and I left Bocas for San Jose to hang out with some local rock star for a few days. We met him in Pueto Viejo and he invited us over to show us around. Went to some local bars, and eateries, then to the big festival thing that lasts for 10 days. We made it for the last day with some concert. It was actually one of the cheapest days ive had in Costa Rica because the entry fee is nothing and the sponser for the event is Imperial, the beer of Costa Rica, which was fairly priced. The show was... alright, but little was understood other than the Marley covers. Lots of people and I think we might have been the only tourists there. I didnt see any others.
The next morning we left for La Fortuna which has now been one of the most expensive places I have been to. A trip to the grocery store cost us a total of 25 US dollars.
The flood
Our canoe and the outhouse a loaf of bad bread was four dollars and small potatoes were a buck each. Everything cost a ton. The weather was less than amazing so we were unable to see volcano Arienal. We took a tour with a local who was a great guide to the side of the volcano, but still didnt get to see any lava. Though we did hear the eruptions every once in a while. when the tour was done, there were free drinks and a visit to a creek with heated water from the volcano. In the morning, we were off again for Nicaragua.
This was a full day trip with two bus trips followed by two boat trips. The final destination was El Castillo. In the morning we found a fellow by the name of Jonathan who would rent canoes and kayaks for a good price and allow us to boat about 3/4ths of the Rio San Juan to the Caribbean Ocean. We heard about him through some other travelers that we met in Fortuna and they said it was amazing. We set off the next morning in a canoe and one Kayak. All of the bags got sorted through and we
flood
a barrel almost fully sunk were able to take all the things we needed for 5 days in just one pack which rode in the canoe. The first leg of the journey took a full eight hours in slow waters. We arrived at a military base at 730pm fairly wet from the rain. Stayed the night and shoved off for the next base.
We were suppose to arrive at 3 or 4 pm. The current had obviously increased and the water level as well. A lot actually. Farms were being flooded and there was a lot of trees and debris in the river. We arrived at the base, Sarapiqui at an early 130, but docking became a problem with the strong current and raised water level. Martin came in contact with a tree, getting fully soaked and nearly flipping over. A lucky save that Miriam and I missed because the current took us past the base entirely and took us farther down river. We were able to get out of the current and along the side where the ground should be we were able to slowly paddle up river about 20 meters to the side of the building. We tied up to the steps of the back door. The whole place had flooded.
We stayed the night in the imigration office with a terrific host, Jose, and a local family whose house got flooded. Being that we were told that the river (now obvious) was unsafe to boat and that it would continue to get worse farther down river and that we brought enough rum for the five days, we decided to have a party and drink it all. The rum was great and the people were as well. Soldiers tried to convey thier stories as best they could. Jose knew a bit of english, so we were able to hold a broken conversation. It was good practice for Martin and I who know almost no spanish. I was a little bit suprised that government officials would be posted up with no proper utillities. Jose had 3 hours of electricity every night which was only from a single light. No plumbing (outhouse was fully flooded) of any kind. Everything was made and washed with rain water. Coffee was filtered through a sock (i hope was clean).
The next morning we caught a shuttle from San Juan del Norte to El Castillo to gather our things and hopefully get a partial refund. We were able to get our things, but no refund. Not that we really expected on in the first place. We have now been in San Carlos for a few days waiting for the boat to Ometempe. Nicaragua is way way cheaper than Costa Rica. We have only seen a small section of it, and most of that was purely rainforest with the only huts on the C R side of the river.
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sondogg
non-member comment
A bit of rain huh
hey ccracker jack, we woundering what had been goin on. With that entry gives quite the explanation. Sounds like all is good im going to get u a phone card so u can drop a line. hang in there and keep your feet dry