Got a collectivo (open truck) to Matapalo. It was a bumpy ride, driving through 5 rivers and it had been raining heavily the night before! Upon arrival, we threw on our backpacks and went searching for a nice beach.We spotted a gorgeous, secluded beach and a local guy told us it was safe to camp there. So, we set up our tent and fell in love with our new home. Rainforest right down to the sand and rocky coves going out to the sea... and only us!

The wildlife was stunning - monkeys jumping everywhere, electric blue butterflies, tiny humming birds(quetzals), millions of crabs, crazy birds and lots of animals I´d never seen before! Two cute local children were so excited with their find on the beach... a bucketful of tiny eggs and a dead baby turtle. So sad! Thankfully, their Dad made them return them later so, hopefully, some survived. I dragged Jon out on two night walks but we didn´t see any turtles, ah!

Walked around the local area, climbed up to a waterfall, bathed in the warm ocean and just chilled on the beach...

Went to bed thinking it wouldn´t rain ´cause we didn´t want it to! But, at 10.30, it started! A few hours in, we learnt that our cheap tent was not that waterproof and we had to wipe the insides! We had to evacuate our tent around 2am and run to an old shelter we had noted earlier; cuddled up, listened to the ipod and kind of slept!

Had one more day lazing on our beach. Decided to change our plans and not stay the night because of our lazy tent! Jumped in the back of a friendly jeep and had a mad bumpy ride back - zooming over rivers and mammoth pot-holes! Real adventure driving!