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 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
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.
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).
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 ...
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 ...
