Costa Rica in action :- + 2018 collective

Dec 25- 31 2018
Costa Rica: Some glimpses instagram :

Was sure about doing some longer trek in earlier months but kind of got pushed back by .... did 3/4 days hiking trips etc. n'ways

This was second visit to Costa Rica, first time in 2015 did climbing of "Cerro Chirripo" in green season and just some parks hiking around.

As always this being last minute decision and thanks for the availability it just happened, REI did great. It involved multitude of activities and was interesting thing in short time.

This is start of summer season and shoulder for rainy (so one can expect showers in bet.) in Costa Rica. Reached late in afternoon and spent evening exploring nearby park and some things. Being holiday many locals were enjoying park with fruit / things vendors, boat rides, horse rides, running, dog walking, skating and other things, just like back home or any other place the things get left behind for next day cleanup. It was nice walk. Besides the new soccer stadium is nice. Was nice meeting some individuals over lunch. "vani" was cute kid.

One can go through the itinerary and find things, just some highlights:-

Arenal volcano area has many activities, from hiking, exploring town, local shops, night hikes, zip lining, rappelling waterfalls, canyoning , hot springs and many other.

Rappelling down the waterfalls is really cool and get ready to get wet with each line, everything is

different and drops in water etc. are neat. Not knowing swimming it was fun to do, was first time had full water submersion and was great. You are in good hands and everything is fine.

Zip lining was real nice to cruise in the air for long distances and at higher elevation, the guides do really nice job of checking your equipment and at every single 

 

station there are  individuals who know their stuff really good.Though have done it before at some other place (short distances and lower elevation) it was different in every aspect and fun at the same time.Later canopy walks and hikes gives one chance to see wildlife and explore trails and scenery in different way.

The night hikes and walks shows you real action in jungle.

This was the first time for 21 miles of rafting trip with class 2+ to level 4 rapids. The river is beautiful and guides did really nice job, the flotation gear provided and food cooked and place to stay etc .was really nice. As mentioned above not knowing swimming it had its own charm and sitting in front for both days to get full action for

rowing was an amazing experience. People can experience things for themselves, just don't want to give away all the details ( create your own memories and conclusions)
 

Unless signed up for something or rather don't ride bike outside as much. It was really nice riding 30 miles mountain bike on varied terrain for the first time and even first time in some other country (

every section had its own charm and how every individual handles it depends on many factors.) Started out in sunny morning and ended in nice breezy late afternoon. Going back it was such a pleasant weather, two local kids were riding in front with all the antiques which they do.... was an inspiration to take in the scenery, breeze and environment. The support team and guides did really great and so did everyone in the group. Kudos to the local family's home cooked food [ mamasita ..... when wrong words get used:) , nothing it was just we as a group having some fun]

It was really cool, fun loving group with many interests and hobbies. Time flies and week just flew by. 

Ask any local and one would hear the term " PURA VIDA" every time .... life is good and will be good and it will bestow a positive vibe on you. First 12 days of January month depict the weather for each coming month of the year as per the older generation & people still believe in that. Happiness with whatever that we have is the "mantra" ....

The local seasonal fruits are tasty and farm tours can give you lot of knowledge about herbs and plants. Making sugarcane juice and tortillas was part fun.

Food at all the places was of different variety and one can get really nice fresh juices ( make sure to let know no "azucar" ). One's Spanish reading / writing skills can come to good use and you can improve your speaking ability by communicating with locals. There are many differences in how locals speak Spanish based on regions/ countries and they have their own versions of slang.

Typically Costa Rica has only two seasons, rainy and not rainy. Many plants, variety birds, sloths, monkeys and some others. It is always nice to see wildlife in their own habitat. Visit to local coffee plantation & riding through sugarcane fields was nice. More things later .....

  
Post bike ride and evening new years dinner we all said good bye to 2018 , I was awake to enjoy the count down to new year & fireworks and day one of 2019 was spent traveling back home. Reached pretty late at night. Captured first sunset from plane.

It was real great way to bid goodbye to 2018 altogether many things done/ learned / experienced / many new individuals met and .........
Hola 2019 (Feliz Ano Nuevo)

The trip being action oriented & for that people were taking pics, most of the time phone and camera was not there, just took some pictures when got chance.Yes, day time activity clothing and different for every evening , apart from one time when went directly from hike for dinner that's how its been since 2014, light packer and still have everything needed or more..... ( hope i answered someone's question).

Gallery just some things :



Well 2018 overall :- Newzealand southern alps trek, Italy amalfi route volcano climbs trek( solo), Tour do Mont blanc trek, Costa Rica Multi adv., trail running / hiking at 9000-13000ft. elev colorado, oregon, california, wa, some national parks, SUP, 3 half marathons, 100 miles/ 200 miles multi day challenges, Canopy tree climbs, abseiling cave, sky walk, mountain biking first time, two days whitewater, rappelling waterfalls, moonlight snowshoe and many snowshoe hikes, No. of hours of volunteer trail etc. works over weekends ....& among  some other things. Out of the lot some really great reads ( book wise ) and it is and was fun learning Spanish read/write (learning language is  on going process .... never ending ) yup Nature walks , Grow your veggies bit of green thumb (it was nice  exploring mushrooms in the wild, kinda fun on trails)... well many more things ...

California :-

Nov 22- 25 2018:

Had been to some places in this area long time back, there is FB album was posted wayyy later (for now was not even on Fb for almost a year, its good to take a brake from such things u even come to know of real thing the side benefit, blog is  the place where I dump information that's it).

Just a short quick break, hitting some trails and things kind of formality trip n'ways,  ... would have done longer trek and longer break given haven't taken in long time.

Monterey is beautiful place, as always the walk by the ocean front is nice but much nicer in flowering season. Further drive on the road leads you to many nice beaches and with your luck one can see wildlife. There are some nice hikes in bet. got so tired of wearing hiking gear, did it in dress up clothing ( only for a day)










Hiking around Los Osos park, some peaks & some other trails was nice with little rainy, windy, foggy weather and ran on some trails around.

 Glimpses instagram:

click to zoom ... were far out ....

Wanted to see Monarch butterfly migration since long time, knew about it and this time it just happened. 

Hiking around Pinnacles national park is delight and happened to spend just some hours exploring
various trails.Same thing happened for red rock canyon, IMO I feel one must have at least a day or two to really enjoy national parks. One can do other activities too in the park and also in towns and can have balance between hiking, other outdoorsy things and other in town things.

 

Just hurried some days touching some things .... as always miles of legwork and back. Surprisingly everywhere it was like no crowd whatsoever, given it had rained air was clear even after fires which happened.

Giving Tuesday, yes have been doing volunteer work with this org for a while and its always good to support the cause, both ways by volunteering and donating, thanks for invite had received long back & it was pleasure donating. Its always pleasure to volunteer for and help out.

 well finally the "fall challenge" medal...

Oct III

Post last weekends half marathon and mt. SI etc, did it last minute  ... Solo.

Friday 26: night was cool with  halloween.

Sat 27:
This weekend I had signed us up for Bike ride with REI.  Had run this course as a marathon course before and just knew biking is also done here. It was fun riding 22 miles through the tunnel on graveled, riverbed kind trail, first time on mountain bike and to add to it weather played nice role. Started out sunny and then became windy and rainy. More interesting being everything first time. Nice group of individuals. Missed out on couple earlier opportunities this year for bike rides, last of the season probably but was nice.  
The biggest difference felt on road bike vs mountain was how much one keeps sliding on the seat as the terrain is different, it was cool to see people standing and riding. That looks to be the ' modus operandi' for mountain bike terrain. Overall for first bike ride this year outside it turned out nice.

Sun 28: 
PNW weather in full force :) , quick drive to little si hike up and run down was good,  there were people on the trail if not many.








 
hApPy  HaLlOwEeN 👻👻

--Bob's farm pumpkin picking
---Thomas family farm spooky night insta
--Halloween theme bollyxxx
--Carvings & things
--Candy for kids  & somethings.....
May be some new things but  doing it since came here .... 

see you next year....

Oct :-

Sat/ Sun :- Just some hiking , biking, walking around .... Nice game, first time for Seahawks in stadium, usually Sounders....

Some game moment ....

Sat/ Sun 13 14:- Hiking, dandiya some other things Insta gallery 









so what do you want to talk about :-
I am done with Nonsense

--- My back

--- My hair (who did what)

-- Things i have done / do

--Or continuous lies you spread about me.

--Or lies you have spread and covering yourself up

--Or U get paid to cover my inlaws and their wrong doings

---Or harassing me is just your pass time.

--Besides she doesn't know anything( i had asked ppl denied to tell including inlaws, my other half), don't tell what all we said abt. her and did for 4 years and secretively get things done from her our way.... Not going to happen. U have passed that time long back and crossed that line. Unless I know everything and I will get to tell everything don't even think about anything or putting me down. Besides if you think you can sell me any modified version of past 4 years as per what I write here, I too have account of all bits and pieces shared with me by you guys plus more.

This is written in the most calm way ...... May your souls RIP. Doing great , my workouts are also great. U don't worry. Rain or shine I don't care, if it's problem for you I cann't help it.

sept II : Colorado

 


Sept 28-30 :

Just a quick and short visit to Colorado , had been to different parts before and they were equally great. 
Thursday very late night reached  Denver and early next morning some hikes along the way, among them doing Continental divide at 12,881 feet was nice. Even though it was sunny , it was kind of windier and cooler weather.  

 






Sat: Explored Maroon bells and surrounding hikes, Crater lake was dry and had its own charm standing in the middle of the lake. It was nice hiking around 10,000 elevation plus or minus.
Later explored town and some other trails... 

Sun: Trail run early morning was really great at 9000 plus minus elevation. Among many others, hanging lake almost run up and down was nice. Very well maintained place and then flight back .... reached very late.

Everyone was nice and yes, do remember and it was really nice meeting (they would know who I am talking abt...  :) )
-- sup couple
-- Really nice chef 
-- Very enthu lady 

Some Glimpses on Instagram :- Insta pics

Sept:- Mtbachelor

Labor day weekend:- September 1-3 2018:-

Mountain range from top of .Mt. Bachelor

Day1 :Climbing mt. Bachelor 9048 feet followed by hiking Paulina peak 7984 feet and some other small walks,  hikes in between with some 14 plus miles. Nothing bad, only thing after long long time from somewhere just got cold bug and was kind of irritating part and something else. No big deal ...






 Beautiful lake views from Paulina peak.

 Instagram pics:-

Day2: Next was 14 miles to Broken Top and later Lava river cave, Lava Butte hike.The crater rim walk is short circle with nice views. 20 some miles.






The Misery trail with river walk in smith park was nice hike / walk.  Overall 10 some miles and drive back ... 

Some Images :-

Glimpses:

Enjoying my own workouts ....
Sept 4 :- Early morning grind ...Sept 5:- Early morning grind , other things ....Nice evening some miles outside Sept 6:- Spin, weights and some other things ....Sept 7:- Early morning grind....
Sept 8:- Volunteer Restoration trail work:-

Sept 9:-Impromptu Hiking skyline trail, Pebble Creek etc Mt.RainierNP
Pics instagram:-

Everytime one posts pictures there is noise created for weird reasons.
Not my monkeys not my circus.

Yup that was friday out ....n'ways
Sat / Sun :- 10 some miles both with some other things ... little si and something else

Some events 
200 miles over somedays ... nways ...medal later

Sept 21/22/ 23: Cirque du Soleil is nice and hard work put in by performers is very visible. Especially bicycle stunts , jump ropes, trampoline are very exciting. Finally the missed show "Howard Barnes" was nice to catch up and is really good. Just a small run over weekend had signed up for (with all other things was happy to get 10 k in 55 min.) , rattlesnake hike and some other things. 


 

Tour du Mont Blanc -Part 1

June 29 - July 17 ---- some other things apart from trek will be covered in part 2

July 4 - 12 2018  Hiking/ Trekking
110 Miles plus some

Mont Blanc Circuit 170 km (110 miles) around Mont Blanc through Italy, France, Switzerland.. crossing many passes, varied landscapes, wildlife sightings, perfect timing for wild flowers & of course mountain weather which is unpredictable & that's the best part (sun, fog, mist , rain, thunder). Usually done in 11 some days, well as always last minute and had to shop around for availability for the time frame. Later discovered to some extent how this came about and got added as additional trip and thanks to coolest group for joining, without whom it wouldn't have materialized  "L-DOSBMJZ - YVRJ'  ( Thnx). This was the first time with Salamander and they did really great in all aspects.

The trek is really very well supported with refuges at places, water facilities, one can get food, in that

sense kind of luxury while hiking / trekking . We had our own picnics & other things which were really neat, thanks to our group we had further luxury of hot beverages, frisbee atop mountain, our own impromptu competitions :) and what not. The guides / individuals at mountain huts, museums are really helpful &  eager to share information with everyone. One can do self guided or with guide ( from my pov: for this one the second option is coolest in particular as you have fun with group for this long distance). Given this was Soccer world cup it was perfect timing to visit and experience the matches here. More on it later. If you are fan of it , your walking speed would automatically reflect it :)

For the trek itself, it can be done clockwise or counter clockwise. We happened to do it clockwise in 8 days with extra day of further hiking. The highest pass elevation wise is 9000 feet and rest all walks are mountain walks with different terrain, dirt, talus fields, gravel, rocks etc. You name it and you have it. Some small snow fields to cross based on what time of the year one does it. Being very famous trek in Europe one can find all information about route etc. anywhere and there is already too much information available on the net. Sometimes or rather its always good to experience somethings in surprised fashion and not with all calculations and reading too much into other individuals experiences. Atleast that's what works for me, can not define it for others.There will always be variations based on mountain weather conditions & some other factors for people taking different routes. No matter what, Overall beautiful place, people, culture. It was nice to experience local dances on Italian side with enthusiastic group of kids.


Chamonix and surrounding area is Macca for runners of many kinds and got a chance to see some events which were going on ( later on did run in national park and it was good), besides the world climbing championships were being held in Chamonix which was delight to see,  really motivated & daring dirt bikers (once you see where they ride bikes one would know ) are sight to behold.



Just before starting trek spent couple days in Annecy, France and at the end couple in Nice,France. Exploring town and hiking around some places.

Instagram Glimpses 1:  

Instagram Glimpses 2: 


TMB TREK Part 1:-

TMB Part 2 :-

 




 

 

Tour Du Mont Blanc- Part 2

Some other Towns, National parks, hikes :

Click on Pictures to Zoom

Just before starting Tour Du Mont Blanc spent couple days in Anncey, France.
Beautiful place called as Venice of french alps, had come across it while reading something. The lake, canals in the old town are really fun place to explore, walk around. Boat ride gives you an idea about surrounding area. Luckily some weekend parade and event was going on & girl doing acrobatics on rope was simply amazing, also would like to mention the street side spray painter artist making canvas paintings was really nice to watch. Besides it was really perfect place to watch soccer matches with the masses.
The farmers market is really nice here.The Bell museum is really noteworthy and how they are made,

tuned etc is really a thing to see on video and understand. There are many hikes around area and happened to do Veyrier mountain, Gorges du Fier etc. One interesting thing was community garden where people are allowed to pick vegetables for free and from lady's explaination its kind of new concept being tried on and people are allowed to take small portion of vegetables. Nice thing. Plants were really healthy and taken care of. The place had really great vibe. just couple days before trek it was great to explore this town and loved it.

Post Trek went to Nice, France.
Just some days much time was spent in travel , could have opted for some other means or had made better use of time could have done some other things....

Nice:- Historic old town, the beach front to walk on , the castle hill, port. Morning while taking stroll around town came across tour of place and glad could join them. Maya was really nice and was giving really good information about the place, food, quarters, navigation, pointing out Nicard language etc. The musicians on the castle hill were really good.Given it was Bastille day the celebrations were on, nothing much in Nice just some laser spread on waterfront. Rather than walking many times same place could have gone somewhere else instead. 

Mercantour national park:- Guides are really nice here and was pressed for time hence couldn't take guided walk but did do the hike and run down was great. The Guides & people were nice in
pointing out the petroglyphs ( thanks to them ), I guess i wanted to do run on TMB too and finally it happened here. One can see wildlife here.

Monaco, Monte Carlo:- Really nice place with nice crowd and had fun watching France-Croatia final match here.The streets, waterfront is nice place. Came here post Mercantour hike hence didn't have much time. Enjoyed game with locals and just a small evening stroll in the town, casino, church and somethings. Really great place and has really good vibe.

Eze:- Medieval castle town, the hill walk is really good, with many boutique shops and castle to explore.With some showers  it becomes further interesting place. The cactus garden atop is well maintained and worth a visit.The perfume factory is really good place to see how things are made and grab one if you are one of those. The food stall lady at the parking lot is nice and
place is good for grabbing quick bite.

Lyon:- Post Eze en route Geneva just got couple hours late in the evening here and used them to see somethings in the old town.

Overall, France various towns have really friendly people and one gets good vibe at every place. Given that lot of  history is associated, there are many things to do and see at every place.


After some 170 miles of leg work back to place called home.



Part 2 some glimpses album:-



 Instagram 1:-

Instagram 2: 

Hiking Italy Amalfi coast / Volcano Route - Trek Solo with grp

May 12 - 24, 2018
Amalfi coast, volcano route, Aeolian islands
Climbing active volcanoes : Stromboli, Vulcano, mt. Etna, Vesuvius and many other things.

Well as mentioned last year , the solo trek was to happen just the time & needed to figure out things, besides as always it was last minute and really glad it went through. For the time frame had very limited options, had been to Italy long time back ( almost 10 years) and mainly Florence etc. side as a typical tourist thing.  This was exploring volcanic route hiking and some city exploring and REI did really good plus the two enthu. guides & group made it more fun.

Flight and connections worked out well, reached Naples late in the evening, the taxi driver was really nice guy explaining things, place and mentioned there is lot of Srilankan, Indian  population in area. Later, on evening stroll did meet " Madhu" srilankan lady and was really nice talking to her. Place is really vibrant with piazza , palace, many other surrounding attractions first sighting of Mt.Vesuvius and shopping complex. Next morning explored various sites and group was really good (thanks for all the laughter) had our dinner together and embarked on the journey.

The itinerary anyone can follow, couple highlights for the places :
Capri :- Boat ride to Capri to explore and hike around the island. Weather was really nice, little drizzle and later overcast. The night exploring of underground Naples was really great & our guide did an amazing job. It is really nice work done by volunteers to preserve history and maintain, clean up the underground wells.
Agerola canyon hiking met really nice lady "Maria" busy planting corn in her yard. The lemoncello factory tour individual was very sincere and honest & it just reflected in all his explanations and was great way to end the hike. It was nice Pizza making in the restaurant and under the guidance of chef all did great. It was gracious of him to allow us in his kitchen (haha, on the hind side it was good he fed us before we were to do our experiments :)  )

Path of Gods : Apt name , perfect day and weather , the sea fog just rolled  up and made the place little magical. Long way down the stairs was the fun part to reach the town. Positano, very vibrant place , many people just chilling out by waterside or taking boat ride to explore Amalfi coast.

Just short hop to Amalfi : interesting was the church, the only paper mill of original 17 still making handmade paper & still supplies that to Vatican  was nice to see while waited for transport.


Quick walk up Vesuvius and exploring Crater with Pompeii's main street in sight and destruction that

was caused was nice way to get perspective of how it might have happened. The run down was even further cool. Later just explored Pompeii area, Lala was enthusiastic and full of information.

Cruise ship for Sicily to get to various islands was nice &  early morning board walk around was neat. Cefalu was nice stop for boarding ferry to Vulcano island. The town is full of sulphur fumes,  mud pools, black sand beaches given active area. The hike up the Vulcano was nice best part being the walk down switch backs amidst sulphur vents, run down mountain was great. Besides early morning run on beach was really a thing.

Stromboli : Night hiking was supposed to be later in the day hence took RIB around the island, boat driver was really skilled individual and was great to explore the small town and the light house area, many jelly fish  and marine life in the area. Surprisingly the island has plenty fig trees. Given Stromboli is very active volcano and had generated Tsunami post massive landslide, now the region has lot of monitoring devices to keep a tab. As it is called "Iddu" : he was really gracious to us, the moment we reached the top just in time for sunset it gave big growling and fiery welcome show, and never stopped post that.Our head guide was nice. Being last group we got plenty time on mountain top and was nice to see stars, hear loud rumbling of volcano, the fiery show, far out twinkling lights on land, cool breeze and amidst all this stillness & calmness. The walk down is in steep scree field with headlamps( had taken gaiters didn't use them, no particular reason, just didn't want to). Reached the town around 11.30.
The morning run in town and beach is nice area, people are really nice. the green fleet comes to town for supplying water. Besides the other hike to restaurant can lead you to place to watch the fiery show & that walk by ocean side is equally great.

Castelmola & Taormina are beautiful towns and hiking from one to other is nice. Drive down further

takes you to mount Etna region. One has to hike with vulcanologist on top of this active volcano, with massive craters, smouldering rims with sulphur vents, occasional growling , hissing of mountain. Some snow fields to cross and many scree fields. The area can get very windy and with the mist rolling from down below can get cooler. Standing at 11.000 feet elevation, it was really nice to walk on it.

Catania has lots of history and place is nice to explore, the evening / night walk around town was great. Never to forget the Gelato place in town [world's best :) per U know who :) ] It was indeed good. The underground river is nice besides all great buildings.

The Aeolian island became famous after the Stromboli movie and now mostly as ppl want to climb very active volcanoes. Many places and walks are surrounded by natural perfumes with many flowering plants with nice smell. The capers, loquat fruit, pistachios and region has many other delicacies. Sicily has influence of many from Greek, Romans, English, Arabs and is visible at places. People are really proud being Sicilian. It was overall short & cool visit to the region to explore couple things. Hiking on all active volcanoes was an experience in itself. The open air boat ride to the Aeolian islands is a must.
Beautiful place, people, food, nice beaches. Our guides did really great in making this enjoyable.

With 100 some miles of leg work back to place called home ....

Pictures posed on instagram earlier 24th 2018:   Instagram :

Italy Volcano Route album :-