As it turns out, Matapalo was not the only fabulous place in Costa Rica. After six excellent days in the Peninsula de Osa, we travelled north along the coast, first to Dominical, which is very much a surfer town, with some of the best breaks in Costa Rica, but which, at the same time affords beginners the opportunity to get their butts on and off a surfboard - thus a natural stop over point for me. I spent three days surfing, first on a 9.2 foot board, and the...

There is a beach in Matapalo, Costa Rica. It is called Pan Dulce (Sweet Bread), but you can - when there - call it more or less whatever you want, since you will be the only person creating footprints on its fine grey volcanic sands. But Pan Dulce, or something like that, will be appropriate, because sweet it is indeed. The beach is yours (es suyo). It has a long wide curve of approximately 1km, is ringed by intense green rain forest, and has three small rive...

Friday 6th November 2009 - I have just heard that my good friend Mike Slone passed away a few days ago. I don't know how or what, but am terribly sad. Mike lived each day to the full - see his blog at http://blogs.bootsnall.com/mbsloney/ about his life and travels the last three years. I will miss him.