The lesser intrepid traveller returns

It´s with a broken and weary body that I write this entry. Five days of trekking, horseriding, ziplinig and canyoneering and I have arrived back in San Jose in pieces.

Have been to the cloudforest in Monteverde and the rainforest in Arenal. Had a bit of a dull night trek but did see a tarantula up close, which was cool. The horseriding was great and I got to use my best rehearsed Spanish phrase, when asked if I wanted to gallop. For those that haven´t heard the story, the Michel Tomas school of languages starts off by teaching you how to say ´It´s not very comfortable for me like that´. Wondered when I might need it - as know it in three languages now - but was useful for explaining that galloping would hurt my back. Was quite pleased with how the Spanish was coming along until today when i ordered chicken for lunch.

Also checked out Arenal´s live volcano. Although was too cloudy to see the top of it but saw lava running down the sides. Followed that with a trip to the hot springs. Can´t knock a swim-up bar serving margaritas.

Ziplining was great fun. Thought I´d be petrified. Was fine on the zips but did freak a bit stood on the wobbly platforms. There´s something about being level with the top of trees in the cloud that makes you think you might be a bit too high.

But, without a doubt, my all-time favourite activity was the canyoneering. This consisted of rapelling down waterfalls - largest drop was 70m - and clambering through the rivers in the forest. At one point, the water was so deep, you just had to jump into a hole - the water deeper than me - and be hauled out of the other side. Was just awesome. Got some funny pics, which will upload as soon as i get to a computer where that is possible. You´ll also, hopefully, be able to see how beautiful costa rica is. Really is breathtaking.

Have conquered some fears this week. Now just need to rest with some serious painkillers and my neck brace for a while. Extreme intrepid traveller is back tomorrow...