21:30 Left Cabo Blanco around 8:30am, where I headed up to the Monte Verde valley in the L’s car, and I got to see both DL and ML as a couple… making jokes and holding interesting discussions which made the journey fun. They told me the unfortunate story of a Costa Rican boy that was killed on “the S” road as he fell of a lorry and was crushed by a steam roller (of all things) that was following… yeah, gross I know. I got to see a traditional Ox cart and I was also pointed out cashew nut trees, mango trees, coffee buildings as well as the mildly entertaining highway information.
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| Traditional Costa Rican Ox Cart (D.Philpot) |
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| Approaching The Base Of Monte Verde - Around Rio Seco/Claro (D.Philpot) |
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| Monte Verde Valley Panoramic Shot From The Car Window (D.Philpot) |
Upon arriving at ‘Casa L’ I had rum and
apple juice on the back porch followed by freshly picked oranges from the
garden (ah! The life of a scientist – a life of luxury). I felt somewhat lost in amazement as I was
greeted by an Emerald Toucanette, a Blue-Crowned Motmot, Brown Jays, and a Wood
Stork, all of which impressive and beautiful animals that I suggest you look up
on the internet rather than me ranting on about them all.
Later on I then met my first host
family, who were extremely welcoming.
They helped me out with my Spanish a lot, we watched some kind of
bull-fighting but it is somewhat humane in that the bull isn’t killed, a few
people do ride rodeo though and some further lunatics even play a proper game
of football (with goals set up too) in, yes inside, the bull fighting arena…
At dinner time a little while ago there
were some “fireflies” in the kitchen (that turned out to be Click Beetles)
which literally had what looked like a couple of light bulbs on their abdomen/body
and I all of a sudden I thought I was in some Disney film or something as such
strange unimaginable things in nature give you a very strange feeling that I
can only describe as ‘Just when you think you’ve seen everything.’