Fortuna at last

Well, today we are in a little internet cafe in La Fortuna at the base of Arenal Volcano - what a site!!!! But let's pick up where we left off last time.

We drove from San Jose to San Ramon - or actually through San Ramon to our bed and breakfast up in the muntains. Nice spot - very quite and cool due to beinfg on the edge of a cloud forest. The owner was very nice - origainlly from Washington DC - but has now made CR his home.

The drive to the B&B was quite an adventure - as costa ricans are not known for the road signage!! You pretty well guess where you are - unless you're lucky enough to know if you are facing North or South. Although everyone says there is lots of english spoken here - WRONG! especially in the mountains - but if you point on a map they will point in the right direction, speak very quickly in Spanish and then away you go. Although we did get "lost" a couple of times, we did find our way to and from the B&B without any major disasters - which could easy happen on the narrow, windy mountainous roads.

Yesterday - the 6th we got up early, has a great breakfast with farm fresh eggs - gathered before we got up, and then headed off to Poas Volcano - it was very windy and cool there - we had to wear our jackets and long pants - don't you feel sorry for us?? Some amazing views and photos later, then we wandered arouns the national park for a coupe of hours - and got a little wet once all the clouds rolled through us - and i mean through us - there were spots where we had trouble seeing the path!!

From there we drove to the La Paz Waterfall gardens - beautufl butterfly farm, frog exhibit and 5 amazing waterfalls. This too is in the cloud forest and they get on average 14.5 feet - yes feet - of rain a year there. And as you might expect, we needed our rain gear as it poured for a short while. But that was fine - it was warm.

From there we drove to the Doka Coffee Plantation - that was an adventure getting there as the signs were so smallwe missed a few. Interestng tour - I did not know it took 5 months from harvest before coffee is shipped - very manually labour intensive.

The trek back was different - as we entered through the back, but exited through the front - and had NO idea where we were. Down and up the windy mountain roads we went - and guess what - no english spoken here either - yes mOnica, I wish I knew Spanish!! Through mutual pointing, we finally found our way back to Gracia - and then we knew where we were - another hour and we were back at the B&B.

Dinner both nights was at a little restaurant outside the gate to the B&B - great food - and cheap - especially if you ordered off the Bocas menu - same size plates and serviings but 1/2 the price.

This morning - 7th - we left for La Fortuna - where we are now. We are planning a tour of the Volcano and National park, a canoe trip down a river and then a good part of a day at the Baldi Spa - instead of Tabacon Springs - cheaper and apparently just as nice according to other guests at the B&B. Our place here is really nice - all individual cabins with views of the volcano and about a 15-20 minute walk to the Fortuna Waterfalls - also on the agenda.

Will catch up later.

Michael said to say that Steven got very antsy when we did not know where we were as there were no road signs - not true!!! Just wanted off the mountain before dark!!!! Go back to sleep Michael!

Cioa!