I spent my last night in La Fortuna listening to the pouring rain. After three days of rain, I've decided to head towards the coast in search of sunshine. I left on my jeep/boat/jeep transportation at around 8:30am. This transportation option cuts about 3 hours off the typical bus ride to Monteverde. When I left my hostel it was raining, but by the time we picked up the rest of the passengers and boarded the boat to cross Laguna de Arenal, the showers subsided. It was so nice to be on th
e water. I think it must be the Islander in me, but I feel completely at home when I am sailing along. Since the rain stopped, I spent the majority of the 45 minute ferry ride out on the deck taking in the beautiful scenery...still no volcano though!!! Once on the other side of the laguna, all fifty or so people were escorted off the boat and one by one handed their luggage. It was actually funny to see many of the tourists trying to carry their big suitcases up a muddy cliff to the side of the road. At the top of the road we were all divided into little shuttle buses and headed on the final 2 hour leg of our trip. All I can say about this ride was INCREDIBLE!! The road was a
wful...full of pot holes, muddy, steep hills that you think you are not going to be able to go up and full of twists and turns. But that is what gave it its charm. The best part however was the view. Steep valleys and rolling hills, full of luscious vegetation and low level clouds and fog creating a whimsical feel. I was completely in awe and so glad I decided to take this path. I would venture to say this scenery rivals Ireland, Scotland and even PEI!!! About 20 minutes outside Monteverde we stopped for a snack and bathroom break and I met an Argentinian guy travelling with his mother. They
were very nice and he was extremely helpful in translating for our driver who spoke no English. We arrived in Monteverde around noon and I got settled into my hostel, Casa Tranquillo. Someone recommended this hostel when I was in Quepos and it turned out to be a great little place to spend the night. The owner, David, actually grew up in this house and now runs it as a hostel. Since I am only here for one day, I decided to book some onward travel and a couple tours for when I return later in April. After buying a bus ticket to the ferry, I came to find out the ferry I wanted was under construction...just my luck!!!!! At first I was not sure if this was actually the case, but I asked around town and it appeared to be true....who knows???? After much deliberation, I dec
ided to fork out $45 to take a direct shuttle to Montezuma instead. Transportation in Costa Rica is not always as easy as you would expect. They have public buses that cross many parts of the country, but the routes are not always the most direct, sometimes they suddenly stop half way to your destination and the bus takes much longer than expected. Better planning on my part may have eliminated some of this from the beginning and saved a bit of time. Mid afternoon, the nasty weather rolled in....VERY high winds and lots of rain. Spent the night chatting with David, the owner, and a couple from Israel. I still do not have accommodations for Montezuma, but I am sure I will find something when I arrive. I guess we will see. Until then...
e water. I think it must be the Islander in me, but I feel completely at home when I am sailing along. Since the rain stopped, I spent the majority of the 45 minute ferry ride out on the deck taking in the beautiful scenery...still no volcano though!!! Once on the other side of the laguna, all fifty or so people were escorted off the boat and one by one handed their luggage. It was actually funny to see many of the tourists trying to carry their big suitcases up a muddy cliff to the side of the road. At the top of the road we were all divided into little shuttle buses and headed on the final 2 hour leg of our trip. All I can say about this ride was INCREDIBLE!! The road was awful...full of pot holes, muddy, steep hills that you think you are not going to be able to go up and full of twists and turns. But that is what gave it its charm. The best part however was the view. Steep valleys and rolling hills, full of luscious vegetation and low level clouds and fog creating a whimsical feel. I was completely in awe and so glad I decided to take this path. I would venture to say this scenery rivals Ireland, Scotland and even PEI!!! About 20 minutes outside Monteverde we stopped for a snack and bathroom break and I met an Argentinian guy travelling with his mother. They were very nice and he was extremely helpful in translating for our driver who spoke no English. We arrived in Monteverde around noon and I got settled into my hostel, Casa Tranquillo. Someone recommended this hostel when I was in Quepos and it turned out to be a great little place to spend the night. The owner, David, actually grew up in this house and now runs it as a hostel. Since I am only here for one day, I decided to book some onward travel and a couple tours for when I return later in April. After buying a bus ticket to the ferry, I came to find out the ferry I wanted was under construction...just my luck!!!!! At first I was not sure if this was actually the case, but I asked around town and it appeared to be true....who knows???? After much deliberation, I decided to fork out $45 to take a direct shuttle to Montezuma instead. Transportation in Costa Rica is not always as easy as you would expect. They have public buses that cross many parts of the country, but the routes are not always the most direct, sometimes they suddenly stop half way to your destination and the bus takes much longer than expected. Better planning on my part may have eliminated some of this from the beginning and saved a bit of time. Mid afternoon, the nasty weather rolled in....VERY high winds and lots of rain. Spent the night chatting with David, the owner, and a couple from Israel. I still do not have accommodations for Montezuma, but I am sure I will find something when I arrive. I guess we will see. Until then...
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