Good Evening Everyone!

My tour has now ended and I've had an early birthday partly with the group including cake and a lot of Pina Coladas! It was very strange leaving everyone behind and carrying my backpack as it should be for the first time was an experience in itself!

I'm now settled in at the Wide Mouth Frog hostel in Quepos which has a pool, free breakfast and internet. I've been attempting to save some money after all those activities last week and have changed my eating to more rice and beans at the local sodas : ) Although I have also started a PADI open water scuba diving course to keep me occupied in the day!

I spent all of the first day doing theory, watching videos and doing tests and was very relieved to put it all into practice at the pool today. Some of it is a bit off putting....like when they get you to lose the air regulator, turn off the air or remove and replace your mask under the water. I'm through the worst bits now though and have my first ocean dive tomorrow, which I think is a great way to be spending my birthday : )

I finish the course on thursday with some more ocean dives and will then be transferring to another hostel at the beach for a few days relaxing before I start the spanish lessons. Have been picking up a few phrases as I go along and can most importantly order a lot of different food and drink in spanish now!

Thanks for all the messages and e-mails, has been good to be keeping up with whats happening at home too!