We left at the crack of dawn from Quepos on Xmas eve to get the local bus up to Uvita, which had it´s own version of "air-conditioning" which meant the doors were left open the whole way, which was a good thing too as the aisles were packed so it was going to get very stuffy.

When we finally arrived we wondered if we´d made the wrong call as Uvita is basically just a bank and supermarket with no obvious sign of a beach. We waited around for a taxi and eventually arrived at the Cascada Verde Eco Lodge.

After two weeks of intensive Spanish this is just what the hippy ordered. Hammocks, waterfalls, birds and yoga. Everyone we met was lovely and the dinners were great.

The night were peaceful though there was always some form of "wildlife" roaming the lodge (toads, lizards from the sky, butterflies, moths etc.)

A 5min walk through the garden and you arrive at a lovely waterfall (see pics) with two deep pools for swimming in and a rope swing for those daring enough! (see video). It is really quiet, the water isn´t salty, there´s no sand and you´re surrounded by greenery and shade. We´re waterfall converts now!

Instead of Santa we met a jolly American duuuuuuuuuude (you will just have to imagine the accent for yourself!) called Jack. He thought that an offshore windfarm was "far-out" and not in a geographical sense. He also had an epiphany that he wanted to share....

"Do it for love not money".....profound. ;)

We left him teaching his new puppy how to ride a scooter.

In case you were feeling slightly jealous I thought I should add that Suzy spent all of last night being sick (we don´t know why) and neither of us have had any sleep. Next stop, La Fortuna and a volcano!