We took the two public buses and the ferry to Montemuza (a hippie beach town) yesterday afternoon. Our time here has been spent wandering around to find quiet beaches, reading in hammocks and enjoying some very tasty meals by (or perhaps on) the beach (think: sand on our feet and crashing waves much closer than a "stone's throw" [1] !)
Tomorrow morning we're planning to run to our favorite swimming spot (i.e. the one where Jon doesn't slice open his foot) and get breakfast in town before getting a 10:30 AM shuttle to Alajuela. We'll spend the night there and head to the San Jose airport in the morning.
It's hard to believe that its almost over...
[1] The distance commonly used in conjunction with how far particular cottages are from a particular rocky shore.
Friday, March 14, 2008
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Coffee!
We haven't been updating our blog as much as we would like, but that only indicates that we've been moving around and having a good time...We've spent one night in San Jose, one night in La Fortuna, one night in El Castillo and one night in Santa Elena. Right now, I don't have time for a full recap, but....
This afternoon we went on a 4 hour 'coffee tour' which was easily the highlight of our trip so far (for me, at least). The tour started in a rickity (sp?) four wheel drive van on windy, bumpy, steep road to the San Luis valley. Our tour guide told us we'd start at a coffee farm, but we had no idea what was in store. As we stepped out of this van, an old sun-dried farmer walked towards us. He lead the tour through his beautiful farm as our tour guide translated. The farm had coffee growing in the shade of many different species of fruit tree. We also got to drink sugar cane juice and chew the raw cane! Oh yeah, and we learned a lot about how coffee is grown. The tour of the farm ended with a visit with the farmer's wife. She had coffee and homemade bread with preserves waiting for us when we arrived! The coffee tour also included a trip to the coffee mill where the beans are sorted, dried and roasted. The tour concluded with a coffee tasting.
Being on the farm was a great opportunity to step away from the touristy side of things (not that its been horrible in Monteverde) and experience how some of the local Ticos live and work. It could easily end up being the most memorable part of our trip.
(We'll fill in more details about today and the rest of our trip later)
This afternoon we went on a 4 hour 'coffee tour' which was easily the highlight of our trip so far (for me, at least). The tour started in a rickity (sp?) four wheel drive van on windy, bumpy, steep road to the San Luis valley. Our tour guide told us we'd start at a coffee farm, but we had no idea what was in store. As we stepped out of this van, an old sun-dried farmer walked towards us. He lead the tour through his beautiful farm as our tour guide translated. The farm had coffee growing in the shade of many different species of fruit tree. We also got to drink sugar cane juice and chew the raw cane! Oh yeah, and we learned a lot about how coffee is grown. The tour of the farm ended with a visit with the farmer's wife. She had coffee and homemade bread with preserves waiting for us when we arrived! The coffee tour also included a trip to the coffee mill where the beans are sorted, dried and roasted. The tour concluded with a coffee tasting.
Being on the farm was a great opportunity to step away from the touristy side of things (not that its been horrible in Monteverde) and experience how some of the local Ticos live and work. It could easily end up being the most memorable part of our trip.
(We'll fill in more details about today and the rest of our trip later)
Sunday, March 9, 2008
We made it!
After missing the Newark Airport stop on the NJ Transit train and a $60 cab ride, we checked our bags and got through security with no snags. Our flight was on time despite the heavy rain and it was quite comfortable with three seats for the two of us, movies and dinner!
We just had a lovely breakfast (amazing coffee, fruit, omelette) and will be getting on the bus shortly to La Fortuna. We may try to do a hike and hot springs today in La Fortuna.
We just had a lovely breakfast (amazing coffee, fruit, omelette) and will be getting on the bus shortly to La Fortuna. We may try to do a hike and hot springs today in La Fortuna.
Friday, March 7, 2008
Monteverde/Santa Elena
This Butterfly Garden comes highly recommended by our Lonely Planet guide, and apparently its best to go in the morning. Maybe we'll check it out Wednesday morning?
As coffee lovers, I think we'll have to check out: Cafe Monteverde
We'll also definitely plan a guided tour of either the Monteverde or Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve - apparently the guide is necessary to increase your chances of seeing wildlife.
As coffee lovers, I think we'll have to check out: Cafe Monteverde
We'll also definitely plan a guided tour of either the Monteverde or Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve - apparently the guide is necessary to increase your chances of seeing wildlife.
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
Itinerary
- Saturday 3/8 Arrive San Jose, stay at Cariari Bed and Breakfast
- Sunday 3/9 Take late morning bus to La Fortuna (~4 hrs), stay in La Fortuna or El Castillo
- Monday 3/10 Arenal activities, stay in La Fortuna or El Castillo
- Tuesday 3/11 Take taxi/boat/taxi to Monteverde/Santa Elena (~3hrs), stay Santa Elena at Pension Santa Elena
- Wednesday 3/12 Monteverde/Santa Elena activities, stay in Santa Elena at Pension Santa Elena
- Thursday 3/13 Travel to Quepos (*early* morning bus, ~7 hrs), stay in Quepos at Vista Serena Hostel
- Friday 3/14 Quepos/Manual Antonio activies, stay in Quepos at Vista Serena Hostel
- Saturday 3/15 Quepos/Manual activies, travel to San Jose (~6hrs), Stay in San Jose
- Sunday 3/16 Roam around San Jose for a few hours and then flight home....
Monday, March 3, 2008
Monteverde Housing
Found (and booked!) a place to stay in Monteverde. Starting to get really excited about this area.
http://www.pensionsantaelena.com/
Jeep-Boat-Jeep
We'll be taking the jeep-boat-jeep shortcut from the Arenal area to Monteverde. Should be an exciting way to shave some time off what would be a long way around the mountains.
http://www.arenal.net/tour/monteverde-boat-taxi.htm
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