Lovin' costa rica from the get go
Trip Start
Jan 04, 2010
1
32
47
Trip End
Dec 23, 2010
Alajuela, Province of Alajuela, Costa Rica
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
i left el castillo on the first boat heading up the river at 5am. supposedly this boat was the 'express', but it still managed to take 3 hrs (stopping to pick up every river-hitcher under the sun...well, moon at this hour). but it was, by far, the most beautiful ride of my life. the sun wasn't up yet...so a thick layer of mist had accumulated overnight - a white blanket shore to shore. underneath the mist, the water was calm and quiet. the birds were in morning chorus and the stars dangled in high-definition just at the tip of my nose. the boat was basically just a canoe with a small motor that wasn't heard. so we crept through the scene with only the sounds of lapping water...and in that moment, everything seemed in harmony - connected. that may sound like i'm being a bit melodramatic...but i don't know how else to explain it...it was spectacular! unfortunately, dark doesn't make for good pictures, and the ones i could get during the daylight just don't describe what my eyes were seeing...i only wish i could convey the landscape. i now understand why people who live in areas similar to this have a difficult time adjusting to 'city life'.
once we arrived in san carlos, nicaragua (because soon i arrived in san carlos, costa rica)...we had to go through 'customs' if you will. i've never seen anything like it. first...i have posted a picture of the immigration building...that in itself says a mouthful! luckily, there was...maybe...7 people in front of me...so my experience was short-lived. but every single nicaraguan passport was actually researched (and in a card system similar to the dewey decimal system that was used in the old libraries. remember all those little card drawers?). anyhow...my good ol' USA passport had zero problems or delays...i paid $2 to exit, and i was on another canoe/boat heading down the 'rio frio' towards los chiles, costa rica. you could tell the minute we entered costa rican waters because there were large tourist boats carrying white people in hats with cameras. i am one of them...so i'm not picking on anyone. just sayin' - it's unreal how we think we will ever 'fit-in'...i have pictures to prove my point. and mom...your straw hat idea would be...well...it would be just simply hysterical.
ok...now immediately you could tell the difference in the two countries. there is definitely some money invested into this country by the government. the immigration process was simple...$1 to enter, a bag check that we were waved through, and a passport stamping window. shizamm...i am on a VERY comfy bus winding through the hills of north-central costa rica.
simply put...the countryside is amazing. i have not ventured out far yet...but i have plans to head to the cloud forest in monteverde this friday...and i can't wait! my room has a bathtub...monteverde is said to have a cheese AND chocolate factory...and i bought a bottle of argentinean wine at the front desk upon check-in. i feel like a new person...like God read my blog from el castillo and said 'give that poor s.o.b a break'.
so...feeling fantastic today and hope to send some really cool posts and pics while i am here (which is only for a short time...because this paradise of a country is VERY expensive for my budget).
Comments
Hola, Now you're talking. Nice looking place I would just set up camp right by the pool and call it a day. If you need money call MoM. love ya...................
I am feeling very jealous of r journey the surroundings r fab nature in itself is a mind blower? I am happy that u are feeling comf. and can relax in the bathtub and savor r experiences Once in a lifetime millions will never know.how it feels to step out of the box.....U my precious r one of the lucky ones but, u have to be chosen by r ANGEL lov u butterfly xxxxxma
girl....you were born to write....love your style of writing....free and relaxed.
Enjoying all the photos. Ready to get on a flight to Costa Rica.