Profile
Blog
Photos
Videos
Greetings from "the New Zealand of Central America". That´s right, getting in touch with nature and flinging yourself around on ropes or off cliffs is the name of the game here in Costa Rica.
Highlights of our one week smash and grab tour have included:
* Emulating David Attenborough - spotting two-toed sloths, a hairy tarantula the size of a man´s hand, being woken up at 5 am by Howler Monkeys and generally mixing with a variety of weird and wonderful creatures (e.g. Blue Morpho butterflies, frogs, snakes, coatis, badgers, humming birds, leaf cutter ants and all manner of creepy-crawlies)
* Trekking through the cloud forest in Monte Verde to meet most of the above critters and to get some well earned mud on the boots.
* Zip-lining through the rainforest canopy - this involves being attached to a metal wire via a harness and zipping from one section of forest to another (like a flying fox). Jodi and I are still shaking following the "Tarzan Swing" which involved jumping off a perfectly good, solid platform and free-falling for 25 metres before swinging through the air like Tarzan. A real brown undies moment, however we simply had to go through with it otherwise we would have been shown up by a 12 year old and a 68 year old. Pride could not let that happen!
* White water rafting on the Pacuare river (they say it´s one of the top ten rivers in the world for rafting - the jungle scenary during the day was certainly top notch) and managing not to get tipped out of the raft - go Team JO-KE!!!
* Bathing in thermal spings near Arenal Volcano (and looking like a couple of albino prunes afterwards!!)
Jodes and I were left bruised, battered and thoroughly knackered after the above, yet these rigorous, bucholic pursuits did not take the greatest toll on Jodi´s physical well-being. The single-most detrimental event for Jodi was (gracefully) stacking in out the front of our hostel at 5:30 in the morning before starting our rafting trip, resulting in a strained ankle, a nasty graze on her knee and a sense of sheepishness for the next few days!
NEXT STOP - Buenos Aires for the start of our South American leg.
** Intersting fact - In my English/ Spanish dictionary "esposa" translates as "wife" however "esposas" (plural, right?) translates as "handcuffs". I´m sure it´s just an amusing coincidence.
Ciao - team JO-KE
- comments
Louise Woo-hoo! You guys look like you are on the Amazing Race (minus Phil). Hope Jodi's ankle is OK now - though you'll have to make up a better story for your injury!
krista Wow! What an amazing week! I imagine your rafting experience was a slightly different pace to the kayaking down the Welsh 'creek' hey guys? Keep looking after each other. And keep up with the updates - loving your blog! k x
Mal Anderson you kinky devil....mmm handcuffs......thats queenslanders for you i guess!!Add them to your liking for rubber suits and you are sorted we reckon!!Sounds like an awesome time...enjoy BA...try and get to a Boca Juniors game and check out Evitas grave too. mal and natxx
phil I am still smiling imagining the trepidation on your faces (particularly yours Jodes) before hitting the Tarzan swing. Looking forward to next instalment!
Kylie Hi guys, It's great to hear what you've been up to, sounds like an adventure packed leg. I can't wait to hear about Rio, you'll love the city. Try and go on a Favella tour through the slums. It's really worth it and not many people get to do it. Also ask around if you can go to a salsa club where the locals are practising for the Carnival. It's normally at the base of the slums, so take a guide. The clubs are insane. Kylie xx
Powney Looking like wicked times guys. The beard looks sexy Luckie. Its overcast here in London, and still pretty gold but no loud monkeys. Bet you guys are jealous. Keep having fun you crazy kids.
Neen Team JO-KE - glad to see the joint name is taking. Lukey, you didn't tell us what "husband" singular and plural translates to. I can offer some suggestions???? Lets hope your brown underpants are washed and packed for the remainder of the trip.....at least you can both sing the george of the jungle song for real. Funsies. Keep up the blogging!!! Nxx
fitzski Clearly the esposas are working for both of you. Don't hold back.......love the Dungeralds. The slightly jealous Dungeralds