*chuckles* Getting here was something! Originally we were supposed to get a direct bus from Granada to Monteverde but we were randomly dumped on the highway to San Jose after travelling 6 hours at 11am. Headed to this petrol station assuming that Monteverde was only a taxi ride away but turns out that we were 30km/an hour away along a bumpy road and to expect the next bus to come at 2pm. For the first time, hitchhiked to the smallest village ever that isn't even on the Costa Rica map in the Lonely Planet to kill time and grab some chow before returning to the petrol station on the highway, only to find that the next bus is actually 5pm. Some Sunday service we suspect! Luckily two Italian guys were stranded too so decided to book a taxi together that came from Monteverde ($46, Costa Rica is expensive) but while waiting, a rich Tico (Costa Rican) in his flash 4x4 car and gear said 'Hop in! I'll drive you!' but the guy at the petrol station who made the taxi booking call said that we had to stay behind or the taxi company will charge him as they have his telephone number! Grrr! Had to laugh as we finished off our Bacardi and coke while waiting for 5-6 hours! Finally got there in the evening. Makes you think this is what it would have been like to travel 20 years ago, all that waiting around in the middle of nowhere. It wouldn't be possible for us to move around fast and do this trip in such a short time if it wasn't for improved accessibility, internet and guidebooks - FACT!

Did the Sky Trek/Zip-line experience in Monteverde, known as Costa Rica's cloud forest. 15 cables of 3.5km long including the thrillingTarzan swing and Superman line! Flying across the misty cloud forest of Monteverde is definitely one of Costa Rica's signature experiences. Seriously cool! Helps that we had awesome guides too.

Now in San Jose, the capital city. Nothing special here and it's pretty expensive too but then again it is the most developed country in Central America. Currently checking flight status to London with all the ice-cold news happening over in the UK, we definitely do not want to be stranded en-route in Havana as there is only one direct weekly flight with Virgin Atlantic. Unless they are generous enough to compensate longer stays in the States, a few more days of sunshine appeals to us (okay, we can only dream).

Not very long till we return home, hope we´re not making you all too jealous but inspired to get your itchy feet on! xxx

P.S. Please be gentle and patient with me after my return, I tend to suffer from post-holiday withdrawal symptoms :( not forgetting the artic temperatures.