Hola!!!! Currently in San Jose, Costa Rica. Costa Rica is such a beautiful lush green country with amazing vibrant colours and wildlife. My tour through central america has drawn to a close and soon I will be flying to New Zealand. Here's the promised accounts of Nicaragua and Costa Rica. nicaragua: land of lakes and volcanoes. We had an interesting boarder crossing because the bus we were travelling on broke down, so we hitched a ride on a small pick-up. We all piled on, bags and all to the boarder, we looked like refugees! Boarder crossings are always interesting because you never know what to expect. GRanda: There's a great spanish influence in this town. Palm trees shade the boulevards and the colinial buidings are painted bright colours. We visited a market, I wanted to buy so many things but I resisted due to lack of space in my bag and the cost to send things back. best buys were wooden, leather and pottery handicrafts. (wooden plates, goblets, masks, bowls, leather bags, wallets, shoes and beautiful pots, vases and plates. You could also buy very tasteful frogs in sexual positions and tortises holding ashtrays...... We went on a tour that took us around some of the volcanoes and lakes. the volcanoes still billowed smoke and occasionally rumbled. One night a group of us went out to a salsa club. we were the only white people there. Despite not being able to dance, there was no shortage of offers to dance. Ask no more questions...Very funny never the less. OMETEPE: The island of two volcanoes, both of which formed perfect cones. See picutures. Ometepe is dotted by small coastal settlements where people live by fishing and farming. (bananas, citrus fruits, maize, seseame and beans). The island is covered by primary forests so we got to see lots of wildlife. See picutes of the birds. I spent most of the time swimming in the lake and laying in the sun before the rain came in. It now rains every day. COsTa RICa (Bloody computer, the shift button doesnt work or is very selective). We had another interesting boarder crossing. We qued for hours for no apparent reason. Costa Rica is the most developed country in central america. I would love to return here one day. because of its vibrant wildlife and vegetation. MOnTEVERE: We crossed a lake to get to this amazing place. The community is set in a cloud forest. Its perhaps the most beautiful place I have ever seen: The land is lush, fertile and intensely green. i went on a zip trek, (11 zip lines, the highest and longest in Costa Rica, (see pics). I was even more impressed with the canopy tour. it took us along suspension bridges high up in the trees. I could see for miles. I also got to see toucans and monkeys. The sights and sounds of the forests were magical, even in the rain. la FORTUna: la fortuna is home to the most active volcano in costa rica. The town is home to to many adventure outfitters. I went on a tour which took me repelling down waterfalls. The highest was 180 feet. It was absolutely brilliant. If you ever have the opportunity, do it!!!! The most pleasurable activity was sitting in hot springs at night, watching lava flow down the volcano. It has to be the most spectactuar thing I have ever seen. san jOsE: The city itself is uninspiring: however the place where we were staying at was lovely, (hotwater, tv, air con and massive breakfasts. Most travellers who visit san jose only come here to go out to another part of costa rica. Its the gateway into the country. My central america trip has been wonderful. I have travelled through 6 countries, each being very different from the next. I loved the food the people, the activites, the mayan runins, the caves, the snockling, the rain forests, the mountains, the lakes, the volcanoes, the hot springs, the wildlife and the sealife. My journey was made even more colourful by my travelling companions and tour leaders, all who have become good friends. I will miss them all. My next leg of the trip will be in ew Zealand, where Im looking forward to having a 'proper'cup of tea and bacon sandwich. Take care as always. Loads of Love Annie. xxxx (she who will always smile)