Hi All!
Still in Puerto Viejo. Still sleeping on the hammock-- tonight will be night number three-- so I guess it can't be so bad. claro. It actually has been a way more comfortable way of sleeping than I ever anticipated. Maybe I should buy one for home. hah.
Sort of just been taking it easy because I am a little bit lazy. Yesterday I rented one of the crap bikes at the hostel and I biked my butt down the 5 mile or so road to another beautiful beach, and then laid there for a few hours. Then I biked my butt back. A good way to whittle a day away. Had a good chat last night with a couple from London, and then proceeded to bed because I had to catch a 7:30 am bus back to Cahuita for a snorkeling trip that I booked. The tour was good--- I am glad I did it, but visibility was pretty poor today for whatever reason, and we didn't really get a good look at anything much at all. It was worth the money though if only to make me appreciate the Great Barrier reef all over again-- it was smiply nothing like that crystal clear water. The tour guide pointed out an octopus and we all circled and admired it, and then he proceeded to get a stick, capture it, and kill it for his dinner later. Needless to say I was a little bit disillusioned. I guess it is legal to fish on the reef though here, for whatever it is worth. The whole thing was sort of sad though, especially when it squirted black ink all over the place in a last ditch attempt to save itself.
Anyways, he dropped us off on a beach at the far end of the nature reserve here, and we had the option of walking back, which I took. I was glad I did, because I saw a perezoso for the first time ( which means sloth-- and also "lazy" in spanish appropriately. True to it's name - it pretty much didn't move while I watched it, but I was happy to see it. Also a monkey came down from a tree and we saw it about 5 feet away from us here. Pretty cool.
There are tons of americans here, which is new because I haven't meet that many most places on my trip. Mostly this is annoying- because americans on vacation generally ARE annoying, however I felt a little defensive of america today when I overheard this swedish guy going on and on about how stupid americans were and how none of them know any spanish. So, I've guess I still hung onto some american pride, because he really pissed me off with his generalizations. I should have told him I knew how to say "sloth" in spanish. I am sure he would have been very impressed.
Anyways, I am not sure what I am going to do tomorrow, and if I am going to laze around for another day, or try to see one more sight.
I'll let you know. It would be a shame to say goodbye to that hammock.
Miss you all!
xoxox
r
http://rebeccasworldadventure.blogspot.com
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Monday, January 4, 2010
Puerto Viejo
So, after my monkey extravaganza, I arrived here at Puerto Viejo.
It is more touristy than my last stop, which was still sort of touristy in a sort of ecotourism way. In Cahuita I pretty much just bummed around on the beach , both black and white sand beaches, and sampled the local flavors.
Here, I took the public bus, which was of course overbooked and I had to stand for the half hour ride in the aisle. Then I heaved my mochila onto my back and headed towards the hostel I had picked from the lonely planet guide- the road was too rocky to use my handy backpack wheels which I usually do.
I checked into 'Rockin' J's' which sort of offers every sort of accomodation, from hammock, to tent, to 'pimp room'. I decieded to let the adventure continue and .... I booked a hammock. Well.... also, they had no room in the dorms left.... but I could have gone elsewhere but I decided that since I had made it through my whole trip thus far without having rented a hammock for a night, it was about time to. So I will slap on some bug spray tonight and hope for the best. I'll let you know how it goes.
And, the hammock is only $5 dollars a night, so... how wrong can you go?? Great for me since I still have no ATM card and a limited amount of cash.
Anyways I am going to go hunt for some dinner since I went sin lunch today and I am starving now. Not literally hunt... just to clarify. My trip has been, and likely will not ever get to that point of rustic-ness.
ok...
all the best
think of me rockin in my hammock!
love,
r
http://rebeccasworldadventure.blogspot.com
It is more touristy than my last stop, which was still sort of touristy in a sort of ecotourism way. In Cahuita I pretty much just bummed around on the beach , both black and white sand beaches, and sampled the local flavors.
Here, I took the public bus, which was of course overbooked and I had to stand for the half hour ride in the aisle. Then I heaved my mochila onto my back and headed towards the hostel I had picked from the lonely planet guide- the road was too rocky to use my handy backpack wheels which I usually do.
I checked into 'Rockin' J's' which sort of offers every sort of accomodation, from hammock, to tent, to 'pimp room'. I decieded to let the adventure continue and .... I booked a hammock. Well.... also, they had no room in the dorms left.... but I could have gone elsewhere but I decided that since I had made it through my whole trip thus far without having rented a hammock for a night, it was about time to. So I will slap on some bug spray tonight and hope for the best. I'll let you know how it goes.
And, the hammock is only $5 dollars a night, so... how wrong can you go?? Great for me since I still have no ATM card and a limited amount of cash.
Anyways I am going to go hunt for some dinner since I went sin lunch today and I am starving now. Not literally hunt... just to clarify. My trip has been, and likely will not ever get to that point of rustic-ness.
ok...
all the best
think of me rockin in my hammock!
love,
r
http://rebeccasworldadventure.blogspot.com
Just saw 2 monkeys up close. We had seen some ( mom, Paula and I) on the road, whIch was also pretty cool, but I just saw two on some low branches. The one that was (clearly) male was roaring away- maybe he was mating or something. They are pretty cool animals- and I don't think that I really believed that they were just hanging out until I actually saw them. So- feeling pretty good about my observation- so I thought I would share instantaneously from my phone. About to take off from cahuita and head about a half hour south to puerto viajo de talamanca. More later, xoxo
Sunday, January 3, 2010
Happy New Year!
Hi all!
Happy New Year!
Costa Rica has been great so far. I met Mom and Paula here last week (exactly now actutally), and as soon as they picked me up from the airport in our rental car we headed off on the 4 hour , but beautiful, drive to our resort-- because it was sort of on the other side of the country.
Costa Rica surprised me because somehow I had sort of grouped it in with the carribean in my head, ie. very touristy, very developed, and lots and lots of resorts. This is true in a lot of ways, however as soon as you leave the resorty areas and gdrive accross the country, you do see that as lot of it is still pretty undeveloped and looks similar to bolivia even-- -the housing is generally by our standards more or less a shack, you see the occaisional dead horse lying around on the road, you know stuff like that.
It was fun to see everything through the eyes of Mom and Paula, because frankly I have gotten to the point where I barely even notice the dead horse lying on the side of the road. But everything was fresh again seeing it with Mom and Paula, and the lanbdscape was really stunning on our drive.
When we got in we saw a rodeo going on in one of the towns, that looked pretty awesome. Also, they have horses who sort of do this little dance here and flip out their hooves---- I have to look this up to explain it better because right now it sounds like something out of alison wonderland, Im aware. But we saw that and that was pretty cool as well.
We spent a few days at the touristy, but key Tamarindo, went beach hopping, and volcanicmud and thermal spa-ing--- which was super fun, though we ended up with bug bites all over us from the outdoor spa--- which was not so fun, and then we ended up at Flamingo Beach Resort-- -the resort that I had met the daughter of the family who owns it in Australia-- rememeber? Nina. Nina was there too, and though we didn{t get to see much of each other, it was great to see her again and wild to be at her resort.
The resort was great and so relaxing, and I spent a fair amount of time near to the pool bar---- like literally you could swim over to it in the pool, and then sit in the water and be served. I thought that was pretty cool. And we celecrated Mom{s birthday, as well as new years, in style.
Anyways, Mom and Paula left yesterday, so now I have this weird last week left of my trip. I actually tried to get on a flight home yesterday, or move up my flight--- not because Costa Rica isnt amazing, but because it seems like it could have sort of been a natural end to my trip to see mom and Paula here, and I am starting to stress about things I want to get done before school starts. And I was feeling a little sick again.
But alas, all the flights are OVERBOOKED this week, so I am here, and I plan on having one last awesome week before I go. I spent the night in San Jose last night, and I am headed to the Carribean side of the country now ( the other end from the resort).
Should be great!
Miss you all and will see you very soon!!
xox
r
http://rebeccasworldadventure.blogspot.com
Happy New Year!
Costa Rica has been great so far. I met Mom and Paula here last week (exactly now actutally), and as soon as they picked me up from the airport in our rental car we headed off on the 4 hour , but beautiful, drive to our resort-- because it was sort of on the other side of the country.
Costa Rica surprised me because somehow I had sort of grouped it in with the carribean in my head, ie. very touristy, very developed, and lots and lots of resorts. This is true in a lot of ways, however as soon as you leave the resorty areas and gdrive accross the country, you do see that as lot of it is still pretty undeveloped and looks similar to bolivia even-- -the housing is generally by our standards more or less a shack, you see the occaisional dead horse lying around on the road, you know stuff like that.
It was fun to see everything through the eyes of Mom and Paula, because frankly I have gotten to the point where I barely even notice the dead horse lying on the side of the road. But everything was fresh again seeing it with Mom and Paula, and the lanbdscape was really stunning on our drive.
When we got in we saw a rodeo going on in one of the towns, that looked pretty awesome. Also, they have horses who sort of do this little dance here and flip out their hooves---- I have to look this up to explain it better because right now it sounds like something out of alison wonderland, Im aware. But we saw that and that was pretty cool as well.
We spent a few days at the touristy, but key Tamarindo, went beach hopping, and volcanicmud and thermal spa-ing--- which was super fun, though we ended up with bug bites all over us from the outdoor spa--- which was not so fun, and then we ended up at Flamingo Beach Resort-- -the resort that I had met the daughter of the family who owns it in Australia-- rememeber? Nina. Nina was there too, and though we didn{t get to see much of each other, it was great to see her again and wild to be at her resort.
The resort was great and so relaxing, and I spent a fair amount of time near to the pool bar---- like literally you could swim over to it in the pool, and then sit in the water and be served. I thought that was pretty cool. And we celecrated Mom{s birthday, as well as new years, in style.
Anyways, Mom and Paula left yesterday, so now I have this weird last week left of my trip. I actually tried to get on a flight home yesterday, or move up my flight--- not because Costa Rica isnt amazing, but because it seems like it could have sort of been a natural end to my trip to see mom and Paula here, and I am starting to stress about things I want to get done before school starts. And I was feeling a little sick again.
But alas, all the flights are OVERBOOKED this week, so I am here, and I plan on having one last awesome week before I go. I spent the night in San Jose last night, and I am headed to the Carribean side of the country now ( the other end from the resort).
Should be great!
Miss you all and will see you very soon!!
xox
r
http://rebeccasworldadventure.blogspot.com
Sunday, December 27, 2009
Hi guys!
Sending from my iPhone- so exciting. Still on his painfully long journey from bolivia and on layover in Miami. Miami airport is shaped like one big u and I was forced to walk the whole thing about three times because my round the world ticket does not like to make things easy for me, nor do partner airlines communicate with each other, despite my best attempts at proactiveness since I went to three seperate airline offices in la Paz trying to figure out why thing have been hard everytime I have recently checked in.
All well. Well despite my fears, I still had enough time to buy an English written book, and an iced coffee- though for some reason un benounced to me all the good coffee places were outside security. Still though. I got what I wanted out of my American layover.
It surprises me how bitchy everyone in this aiport is. Travellers, not workers. Like- aren't you going on vacation? About four women in front of me bitched about their coffee. Is this just the miami airport- or have I forgotten something about Americans ? Hopefully just Miami. And I guess the stress of family holidays.
Ok. Pretty soon I have to turn off the email on my phone for another two weeks. Boo. But will see mom and Paula in a few hours!
Miss you all!
R
Sent from my iPhone
Saturday, December 26, 2009
My Layover in Lima
So I might have been ready to say Goodbye to Bolvia, but it was not ready to say goodbye to me.
As you all know, I am on the round the world ticket, and I flew into Santa Cruz, which means that I must fly out of santa cruz as well. So, I had decieded that I would pay for a flight from La Paz to Santa Cruz this morning, because otherwise I wouldn´t have been able to see La Paz at all, and Santa Cruz seemed a little boring at Christmas.... blah blah blah. So yeah I fly there at at 11:30 today, leaving for the airport at 10:30, and sit there for a few hours until my 16:30 flight to Lima.
However on the flight to Lima, we start heading towards landing way earlier than I expected.... and the mountains are suspiciously familar, and sure enough the plane makes a stop to pick up people from La Paz, around 5:30 pm.... waiting about 45 painful minutes for people to load.
If only I had known, it might have saved me a full day at the airport!! ahhh!!!
Not that I should be worried about time, since I have a 6 hour layover to kill in the Lima airport. I treated myself to the VIP lounge, and now I am trying to get my money´s worth by hogging the internet and snack cafe.
Its funny, people in South American airports never seem to be in a rush. In London, or any of it´s neighboring airports, people are bolting down the 2 kilometer walk to customs, myself included, like some sort of airport marathon. But here, everyone just moseys along like they have no place to be. And there I am with a six hour layover, and no place to go, huffing and puffing behind them because I can´t stand walking so slow.... what s wrong with me?
Even though I have no possible resaon for needing to walk fast, the moseying family taking up and blocking the full hallway so no one can pass simply infuriates me.And the thing is, it really should´t because I honestly don´t think it crosses their minds that anyone wants to pass. And,when I look back in the window at the reflection of the parade of people that is piling up behind this family, I am the only one who seems to care. I guess I need to chill out.
While I am on the topic of cultural differences, there is also something lost in translation on the ettiquite of waiting in line in South America as far as I can observe. More than once, I have been waiting in line for something, or next for food at a stand or someting, or next in line for my ticket or the bathroom, and someone will walk up right in front of me like they had no idea I was waiting. Or they will push in front of me into the 1 foot space I have courtesously left between me and the guest being served and form their own line. Like..... what? hello?
I thought it was just me that was missing something, but it happened to a german woman ahead of me in the bathroom in Lima today... the woman and I were clearly standing there waiting when a woman walked right into the restroom and started to snag the door swinging open. Of course she seemed all surprised to discover that we were waiting.
Hmm...one of those mysteries I might never solve. Perhaps next time I should stand right next to the person in front of me, infringing on their personal space. Or maybe I should just get over it and let someone cut in front of me once and a while. I have no clue.
ok well, I guess I am gonna go for now! enough of that.
Miss you all!
r
http://rebeccasworldadventure.blogspot.com
As you all know, I am on the round the world ticket, and I flew into Santa Cruz, which means that I must fly out of santa cruz as well. So, I had decieded that I would pay for a flight from La Paz to Santa Cruz this morning, because otherwise I wouldn´t have been able to see La Paz at all, and Santa Cruz seemed a little boring at Christmas.... blah blah blah. So yeah I fly there at at 11:30 today, leaving for the airport at 10:30, and sit there for a few hours until my 16:30 flight to Lima.
However on the flight to Lima, we start heading towards landing way earlier than I expected.... and the mountains are suspiciously familar, and sure enough the plane makes a stop to pick up people from La Paz, around 5:30 pm.... waiting about 45 painful minutes for people to load.
If only I had known, it might have saved me a full day at the airport!! ahhh!!!
Not that I should be worried about time, since I have a 6 hour layover to kill in the Lima airport. I treated myself to the VIP lounge, and now I am trying to get my money´s worth by hogging the internet and snack cafe.
Its funny, people in South American airports never seem to be in a rush. In London, or any of it´s neighboring airports, people are bolting down the 2 kilometer walk to customs, myself included, like some sort of airport marathon. But here, everyone just moseys along like they have no place to be. And there I am with a six hour layover, and no place to go, huffing and puffing behind them because I can´t stand walking so slow.... what s wrong with me?
Even though I have no possible resaon for needing to walk fast, the moseying family taking up and blocking the full hallway so no one can pass simply infuriates me.And the thing is, it really should´t because I honestly don´t think it crosses their minds that anyone wants to pass. And,when I look back in the window at the reflection of the parade of people that is piling up behind this family, I am the only one who seems to care. I guess I need to chill out.
While I am on the topic of cultural differences, there is also something lost in translation on the ettiquite of waiting in line in South America as far as I can observe. More than once, I have been waiting in line for something, or next for food at a stand or someting, or next in line for my ticket or the bathroom, and someone will walk up right in front of me like they had no idea I was waiting. Or they will push in front of me into the 1 foot space I have courtesously left between me and the guest being served and form their own line. Like..... what? hello?
I thought it was just me that was missing something, but it happened to a german woman ahead of me in the bathroom in Lima today... the woman and I were clearly standing there waiting when a woman walked right into the restroom and started to snag the door swinging open. Of course she seemed all surprised to discover that we were waiting.
Hmm...one of those mysteries I might never solve. Perhaps next time I should stand right next to the person in front of me, infringing on their personal space. Or maybe I should just get over it and let someone cut in front of me once and a while. I have no clue.
ok well, I guess I am gonna go for now! enough of that.
Miss you all!
r
http://rebeccasworldadventure.blogspot.com
Taking off!
About to take off for 4 flights and about 24 hours almost of travel fun, jut to get to Costa Rica.
Went to the bank this morning to get another cash advance off my credit card (which always seems to be a nightmare) , since I am still sin bankcard, and I had a ferw more Bailey´s at the hostel bar than anticipated, and then I went to a salteña stand and had two last salteñas. I guess I may not have mentioned these before, but they are like mini empanadas and they are meant to be served as a snack between breakfast and lunch,so you cant really find them easily after 12 or 1 o clock. Infact, there are whole restaurants that only serve salteñas and they are only open for like 3 hours in the morning. Anyways they are delicous and sort of soupy and have chicken, or beef inside, or both, and always an egg piece, and sometimes olives or raisins. Really good. And then also a lot of people will eat them right next to the stand and help themselves to the 10 buckets of different salsas, putting a little on for each bite. So yeah, I ate two, just as a little goodbye to Bolivia.
Anyways, I guess that is all for now. A food entry.
Talk to you from Costa Rica!
xxxx
http://rebeccasworldadventure.blogspot.com
Went to the bank this morning to get another cash advance off my credit card (which always seems to be a nightmare) , since I am still sin bankcard, and I had a ferw more Bailey´s at the hostel bar than anticipated, and then I went to a salteña stand and had two last salteñas. I guess I may not have mentioned these before, but they are like mini empanadas and they are meant to be served as a snack between breakfast and lunch,so you cant really find them easily after 12 or 1 o clock. Infact, there are whole restaurants that only serve salteñas and they are only open for like 3 hours in the morning. Anyways they are delicous and sort of soupy and have chicken, or beef inside, or both, and always an egg piece, and sometimes olives or raisins. Really good. And then also a lot of people will eat them right next to the stand and help themselves to the 10 buckets of different salsas, putting a little on for each bite. So yeah, I ate two, just as a little goodbye to Bolivia.
Anyways, I guess that is all for now. A food entry.
Talk to you from Costa Rica!
xxxx
http://rebeccasworldadventure.blogspot.com
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