Advertisement
Published: February 2nd 2016
Edit Blog Post
Costa Rica the smallest of the Central American States after Belize and El Salvador has a population of around 3.6 million about the same as Panama . It seems to have moulded itself as a destination of choice for tourists particularly the Americans and offers wonderful beaches and active participation in its many public and private parks and nature reserves. It has shielded itself from world troubles with no army , no palaces of Government and has become wealthy from coffee production. Costa Rica is a well established democracy celebrating over 120 years and has one of the highest standards of living in Central America . Having said all of that San Jose the capital did not float my boat! There is a different feel from the laid back Panama no pretty old town ( every colonial building pretty much destroyed by earth quakes) a mass of people rushing around in a city that looks unkempt and sorry for itself.
We arrived by mini bus at the boarder crossing what looked like something from the wild west days and walked into the country across a bridge which seemed to suggest Berlin in post war days! Our stay in San Jose
was short and sweet and really that was sufficient. An orientation short walk and an afternoon wandering around with a tour of the national theatre and a quick sorte into the local market was enough for me. Others visited museums or did their own thing .
The highlight of the day and this was a super experience ,was a trip to the active Poas volcano some 80 klms northwest of San Jose. This volcano has the second largest crater in the world at 1.5 klms across and is at a altitude of around 2800 metres. It has erupted 39 times since 1828 so we were hoping it wouldn't spew this January! We were told it was shrouded in cloud and very often did not clear at all so the chances of seeing what was supposed to be stunning views of the crater and its lake were slim. Sure enough the view was non existant, a fog shielded everything. We were patient though it was cold and very damp , we took a 2 mile walk around rim hoping to catch a glimpse on our return (there were restricted viewing areas with limited times to stay because of the sulphur
fumes) . As We waited again, the wind increased and the sun began to shine through , gradually the volcano began to share her mysteries like a beautiful woman tempting us with a show of an ankle then a thigh and finally revealing her full glory!!!! See what you think. We headed back stopping on route to buy strawberries grown locally and tasting like strawberries should!! What a treat!
We left the capital the folliwing day and headed for about 3 hours up to an altitude of 11,000 meters to the cloud Forest of Monteverde to spend a couple of days there. This is one of the nations nature reserves although it is privately owned and sponsored by the Quakers. It offers a host of sports activities as well as opportunities to learn about fauna and Flora, animal and bird life . It is a very popular place and full to the brim with tourists of all nationalities. We had so much choice it was hard to make decisions from zip lining, horse riding, canopy forest walks, hiking biking, frog, butterfly and snake sanctuaries and everything inbetween. An up market Centre Parks!
Some of us took a canopy
walk with a local guide which was only so so and not really worth the dosh. But the following morning we had an inclusive tour of the cloud Forest (5% of 1%) with a spectacularly good guide and we managed to see some great bird life. I did a further little sorte to the frog sanctuary. ...I know not the first pastime that comes to mind but it was interesting.
We stayed in one of the many lodges in the reserve and very restful it was too. Tomorrow we leave at 5 15 am to make the drive of 100 miles to the Nicaraguan boarder ,we understand we have a treat in store ......Can't wait ...not!!! See you there xxx
Advertisement
Tot: 0.143s; Tpl: 0.013s; cc: 10; qc: 50; dbt: 0.0565s; 1; m:domysql w:travelblog (10.17.0.13); sld: 1;
; mem: 1.2mb
Little Bro
non-member comment
Revealing!
Love your description of the volcano revealing her secrets. Excellent pictures and prose! Carry on up the fundament!