Category: Antarctica to Alaska

Tuesday, 12 March 2019 La Fortuna, Costa Rica   The disadvantage of sleeping in a chalet with a corrugated tin roof is that when it rains it sounds like bullets being fired at the roof. All. Through. The. Night. Just like being in a caravan. An early start too. The itinerary says, “Enjoy a boat… Read more

Monday, 11 March 2019 La Fortuna, Costa Rica   Cold, wet and very windy as we leave the highlands of Santa Elena. The rain is a theme for the day but as we descend down to La Fortuna, the cold gives way to heat and humidity. Instead of a 3hr bus journey back the way… Read more

Sunday, 10 March 2019 Santa Elena/Monteverde, Costa Rica   Travelling companion arrives for the morning meet a couple of minutes late. “Sorry I’m late, too many beans.”, she says. Really don’t want to know about other people’s bowel movements. Short drive up to the cloud forest for a walk along the trail with a properly… Read more

Saturday, 9 March 2019 Santa Elena/Monteverde, Costa Rica   Leisurely day today. Starts with being shown a baby pineapple plant. They take 9 months to grow to full size and pass many pineapple plantations enroute. Makes a change from bananas. Drive 5hrs through lush rolling countryside to Santa Elena in the Monteverde region. The landscape… Read more

Friday, 8 March 2019 Sarapiqui, Costa Rica Scheduled for a 2hr walk along a 1,600m trail through the rainforest, starting at 0830hrs and returning 1030hrs. Ho. Ho. Ho. Walk along the suspension footbridge to cross the river far below. Immediately see an iguana sunning itself high up on a lone branch, quickly followed by a… Read more

Thursday, 7 March 2019 Sarapiqui, Costa Rica   Some village drunk was singing outside the hotel until the early hours. Another disturbed sleep. Not good as it’s a 0530hrs wake up call. Still dark and chucking it down with rain as I stir from my hibernation. Public water shuttle speed boat to the mainland full… Read more

Wednesday, 6 March 2019 Bocas del Toro Island, Panama   Bang. Bang. Bang. Bang. Bang. Bang. Bang. Went the drums. Constantly. Right next door to hotel. Until 0100hrs this morning. No. Sleep. Whatsoever. It wasn’t even music. Just noise. Or is that a sign I’m getting old? Boat trip around the islands to see dolphins,… Read more

Tuesday, 5 March 2019 Bocas del Toro Island, Panama   Woken at 0200hrs by someone shouting in reception just down the corridor. It’s carnival time so not unexpected. Everyone goes crazy. The bed spread is the size of postage stamp. Sadly, I am not the size of a postage stamp and surprisingly feel the cold… Read more

Monday, 4 March 2019 Boquete, Panama Early start to catch the 0830hrs public bus from Panama City to David, 450km away. Not looking forward to this journey. Arrive at the bus station thinking the tour company will already have pre-booked the tickets. Er no. You can’t pre-book. First come, first served. Tour leader tells us… Read more

Sunday, 3 March 2019 Panama City, Panama   Today is the start of the organised group tour travelling from Panama through Costa Rica, El Salvador and Honduras to Guatemala. Meet up with the other three English members of the group and the tour escort, who is Guatemalan. The local guide for Panama City meets us.… Read more