After 3 nights at Mawamba Lodge it was time to move on to our next destination. 9 am pick up for the boat trip back along the waterways. Woke to heavy rain! However, by the time we had packed and had breakfast, it had stopped and things were looking up. Luggage went on one boat, passengers on another and off we set.

Along the way, through the tropical rain forest we experienced tropical rain! With no side screens down on the boat, Andy got mildly moist from the rain coming into the boat and it only slightly concerning to see the skipper’s mate doing a bit of bailing out! We saw some spider monkeys, crocodiles and a cayman along the route.

Arriving at the ‘dock’ we were met by our driver who was to take us on the next leg. We stopped for lunch at the same restaurant where we had breakfast on the outbound run - yep, you’ve guessed it - rice and beans (with chicken, even though it wasn’t a Sunday.

The drive to La Fortuna and the ArenL volcano was quite wet and we passed many fields of pineapples on the way. The hotel is (Lomas del Volcan) is a couple of kilometres outside the main town and has a 1 km unmade rough driveway. This became known as a Costa Rican massage!

With low cloud, we could not see the volcano which the hotel allegedly has views of and, being pessimistic doubted whether we would even catch a glimpse during our stay. We had been having a bit of a barney with the tour operator in the last few days since our UK itinerary showed a deluxe bungalow (because we were staying over Lin’s birthday) but the local people showed a standard. After a bit of toing and froing it was confirmed that I’ve only had a standard! Negotiations continue!!

Actually the cabin is quite nice anyway with a stoop at the front and a terrace looking directly onto the volcano (if visible) at the back. It is also one of the closest to reception. Result!

The next morning, we woke up to sunshine and we could see the volcano although there was still a ‘tablecloth’ on the top. However, after breakfast that had cleared as well. BIG result. Our guide later told us that only 6% of visitors get to see it completely clear, 44% see it with cloud at the top and 50% don’t get to see it at all. Being Lin’s birthday as well, we counted this as a big win.

Our tour was a trip to the hanging bridges - a trail through the rain forest which was 2.5 miles long and wound up and down the mountainside along which there were 6 narrow suspension bridges of varying heights and lengths through the canopy. It was a beautiful walk with the guide pointing out various flora and fauna along the way. Then it was back for lunch at beer o’clock! Afternoon spent by the (quite small) pool.

As part of the negotiation process, we had been offered dinner at the ‘best restaurant in town’ with transport to and from by the local operator. So we were picked up from the hotel, taken to Don Rufinos in town which was heaving. The deal, apparently, was to eat from the 3 course fixed menu and have a single glass of wine each!! Since we didn’t much fancy that menu, we agreed with the maitre d’ that we would eat from the a la carte, have a bottle of wine and pay the difference. He was happy with this arrangement. It worked well, we had a nice meal an expensive bottle of wine and it only cost us $25. Pretty happy with that!

The following day we were free in the morning so took a cab into town and wandered for a while. There is not much to it - restaurants, souvenir shops and tourist offices abound! In the afternoon, we had a walk on the volcano, learning about the last eruption in 1968 and walking up lava flows. These were not nice and smooth but were all rocky lava (magma) and quite steep in places. At the ‘top’ - not of the volcano, but of our walk, there were stunning views of Lake Arenal, a 80km man made lake which provides hydroelectric power.

After the walk we went to a geothermal pool complex where there was a complex of 4 different natural pools with temperatures between 37/40C. There was also a bar! It was most pleasant wallowing it hot water sipping a cocktail! After the pools we had dinner there - a bit of a canteen experience but it wasn’t all rice and beans!

Today, we move on to the cloud forest so will try and get this posted before we leave. By the way, there is low cloud again today and you can’t see the volcano!

That’s all for now.

ADOG and LMAG xxxx