Costa Rica, short and sweet visit but probably one of the most indepth experiences of the local culture, and because we stayed with friends for a while we saw alot of things that as a normal tourist you probably would not, so observations......

1) Costa Rica is wet !! It rained everyday, but not like the short sharp showers in the other countries but relentless heavy rain. In Monteverde it rained solid for the three days we were there, the buses could no longer get up or down to the town and Dave and Emily got so wet and cold it took about 4 days for their clothes to dry out

2) Although we didnt experience the coasts that this country takes its name from (Costa Rica = Rich Coasts, as described by Columbus when he turned up here many years ago) we did experience lots of amazing cloud forests, massive trees and vegetation and loads of amazing animals.

3) Was great to stay with Sergio and experience the lifes of the residents of Costa Rica, and be exposed to the wide cultural and culinary treats of this land.

4) Talking of food, we loved Chifrijo, Chirreados, Patacones and Tama de elote. You will have to take our word for it that these foods are amazing, Lots more Gallo Pinto for breakfasts again, think we need to ease off that for a while!

5) San Jose is not a pretty city.

6) Costa Ricans do great bbqs!

7) The buses are random. Better quality vehicles than other countries but they have not really worked things out. Our first day involved two seperate bus drivers forgetting to stop to let us off which resulted in us being stranded.

And the bus that was suppose to take us through the boarder and to an water taxi for a Panamian island turned out that it doesnt get there in time for the last taxi. So we had to jump off before the journey was over and switch into a cab and pay extra money. The whole point of the bus was to get us to to water taxi, you would think they would make sure the bus can get there in time!

8) The photo is of some ladies making their way down the Cartago catherdral aisle on their knees, on August 2nd they do this for 22km......impressive

So thats all for Costa Rica, only a week but we will take up Sergios offer to´return in the future (in the summer!) and spend more time here and see more of the country.

Costa Rica Pura Vida!!