Travails of the Wide Eyed Wanderer

After leaving La Fortuna, I travelled to Monteverde - a beautiful area of rainforest where I spent two peaceful days exploring the reserves as dappled sunlight broke through the canopy. Although I did not see many animals, I was unlucky enough for my lunch (consisting of a banana sandwich) to be stolen by a wild boar. Unhappy at the loss of my food, a subsequent tug of war ensued between the boar and I over my loaf of bread. Determined to have something for lunch, I eventually was the victor - though the bottom slices which he had chewed were rendered unedible...

In addition to a sloth found sleeping outside my hostel, another Monterverde highlight was the canopy tour which involved travelling on high speed zip lines through the rainforest. The tour also included a nerve wracking 'tarzan swing' . Similar to a bungee jump, the 'tarzan swing' has only a small fall (and a jolt that felt like I had been kicked in the groin), before you rise back in the air in a huge 100m arc. After several decreasing swings I was brought back to the rainforest floor - exhilarated if a little sore!

Due to a convoluted series of events, I then headed south to San Jose to catch a domestic flight to reach my destination on the Pacific coast - a place so remote that it is almost impossible to travel there by bus. Although feeling slightly decadent (not suprising for someone now used to travelling on cramped buses) the journey, made in a propeller plane with a capacity of 20 passengers, is one I will not forget.

The past week was spent improving my surfing skills - with significant success. I just wish I could say the same for my Spanish...which remains pitiful. My lodging for the week provided a free and extensive breakfast which I gleefully took advantage of - several bowls of granola (made all the more special by the absence of cereal for the previous seven weeks) followed by a plate of fruits and then banana pancakes and waffles. It was certainly an improvement on my usual peanut butter breakfasts!

Other highlights of my stay were playing card games and beach football with Costa Rican children, and watching the sunset over the beach in a hammock beside Matthew and his father - two Canadians who kindly let me spend much of my time with them. One final highlight was venturing deep into the nearby rainforest to a waterfall great for sliding down for a refreshing swim....

After almost eight weeks of unforgettable experiences in Central America I sit here writing this in Lima, Peru. I am eager to return to the region in the future but for now I am looking forward to a couple days exploring Peru's capital.