Costa Rica

Steve - the volcano last erupted in 1968 so it's pretty stable now but does still produce clouds of steam on a clear day ( which we haven't seen so far!)

One - oddly enough, I was talking to the chap behind me on the boat yesterday about his bridge camera. I'll have to have a good look at those when we get home.

Micky - all you really need in the way of waterproofs is a light jacket. On the boats they have ponchos (we got caught in a really heavy downpour on one trip and they were great.) There are umbrellas in all the hotels. You tend to get really heavy downpours for, maybe 15 minutes, and then it clears up and everything dries out very quickly. Which company are you going with?

Kuoni 

Tortuguero, Sarapiqui, Arenal, Monteverde being the main stays. Starts and ends in San Jose.

cheers m

We've had to work really, really hard at resting today! 

When we got back from breakfast the maid had already been in to clean the room and left us this very clever towel arrangement - real rose petals too!

Then we went down to the thermal springs. I don't usually do water, but this was too good an orrortunity to miss. At 38°C it's like sitting in a bath and never needing to top up the hot water. 

Even the volcano decided to play ball - well, almost!

This evening we're off on a night trek, frog spotting, although I think it's likely to end up more of a mosquito dodging trek.

Some of the plants from around the hotel grounds.

Aren't those towel arrangements fantastic? Loved some designs we've had - never get that in our motorhome 😂😂😂.

Lovely looking couple in the spring/pool 😉. May try one here but have to find the time. Blissful.

Keep your posts coming I'm really enjoying them too.

Good morning, Moulsey, what's occurring today? Keep those photos and snippets coming. The excitement is building for us.

Just on the side, how are you charging cameras and phones etc.. Do I need to bring adapters or voltage converters for this?

Googled the swallow tailed kite, a stunning bird. Can't wait to experience all these delights you are mentioning.

We're heading up into the mountains and the Cloud Forest at Monteverde today, stopping on the way for a walk on the 1968 lava trails. You can hardly see the volcano this morning, it rained overnight and it's completely shrouded by cloud now.

Micky - you just need a couple of UK to US compatible plug adaptors. They work fine, though it takes a bit longer for kettles to boil than at home!

Just caught up with your trip news Moulesy,  lovely pictures I have enjoyed reading all about Costa Rica.

Well the journey to Monteverde was an adventure all by itself! The last 20 miles or so are along an unmetalled road, quite tortuous with several sharp bends and very steep. I was glad the coach driver was doing all the work.

There is a very touching historical story about the road. At the outbreak of the Korean War, 44 Quakers families left the US and made their way south eventually reaching the only place that allowed them to settle, here in Monteverde. It could only be reached on horseback and there was no running water or electricity. But they were made welcome. As a mark of gratitude the families proceeded to construct a wider track down to civilisation! One can only imagine the effort involved.

Anyway the journey was well worthwhile because we're now up in the cloud forest and the views are superb, especially down to Arenal lake from our room. 

Tomorrow we go into the forest and take the sky tram up the mountain, then 50% of us have signed up for zip lining. If we survive that we take the "hanging bridges walk", a system of suspension bridges up in the forest canopy. It's going to be a very exciting day!

Lovely photos M. Looking forward to those of tomorrow.