Hi all,

I thought I would write a quick update on here to let you know how Jodie and I are getting on in Central America, as we have added on a few more photos to prove that we are having fun!!

Before I begin though ... I want to thank people for all the comments regarding the picture of me on the horse ... I am glad you all think that I look as heroic and "Clint Eastwood-esque" as I felt!!

I won´t bore you with all of the details of where we have been, but I will mention a few of the highlights. We didn´t spend too long in Costa Rica but we did stop at the cloud forests in Monteverde. Unfortunately it was raining most of the time we were there (I probably should have expected it from an area that is permanently in the clouds) but it did clear up the day we went zip lining. For those who don´t know ... imagine the aerial slides you have all used in kids playgrounds and then up the ante slightly ... sliding down a flimsy wire more than 1 kilometre long across a vally about 300m above the ground at ridiculous speeds is certainly more of a fear inducing experience (I think Jodie has put a video on here).

We also visited Corcovado National Park which is one of the most untouched rainforests in Central America. We knew it was remote when we boarded a tiny 15 seater plane to get there and even more so when the runway to land consisted of little more than a thin strip of field cut out of the forest (the plane had taken off again before we even had time to pick our bags up off the grass). As we took boats along the coast to get to the most remote parts I couldn´t help humming the Jurassic Park theme tune!! It was a great place though and we saw loads of wildlife including three types of monkeys, sloths, huge spiders, caimen, scarlet macaws, tapirs, hummingbirds, anteaters and humpback whales (check out the picture). It is fair to say I was in my "David Attenborough" element.

We are now in Panama and enjoyed a few days in Boquette drinking the best coffee in the world and becoming acquinted with the local dance. And currently we are having a nice relaxing time in Bocos del Toro in the Caribbean. The sun is shining, the sea is crystal clear and we have been out snorkeling, kayaking, watching dolphins and of course enjoying plenty of fresh seafood.

Hope all is well at home and I hear that Spring has finally arrived!!

Brendan (and Jodie)