We begun our final day at the Arenal Observatory Lodge as we had the previous two, enjoying breakfast while basking in the fog surrounding the Arenal Volcano. We had the goal of climbing the smaller, dormant volcano, Cerro Chato. The hike from the lodge to the top and back was estimated to take three hours for the experienced hikers/climbers and four to five hours for those less experienced. M and I fancied ourselves as the former and therefore believed we would return with time to shower, pack our backs and checkout before 12pm. After a 45 minute walk and at least 30 minutes steep ascent we finally accepted that our 'experience' and, more importantly, footwear was far less than required and turned back in fear of missing the check-out deadline - we were out by 12:15 :)
Our drive to Manuel Antonio was slightly (ie grossly) different and longer than Google Maps' directions and approximations. We were taken down several 'non-roads' that were not only narrow and windy but also unsealed. Praise for Jose, our SUV, was near continuous. Aside from directional issues the last 2 (of +6) hours was driven in a heavy tropical thunder storm after sunset with buses and trucks crazily overtaking us and other vehicles on these windy, un-lit roads (kheyli vahshi!) Never fear, we survived and happened upon our hotel soon after 7:30pm and soon after called it a night.
We woke to the sounds of the jungle and with a quick look out the window realised the beach was only walking distance away. A quick 'continental breakfast' of fruit and toast and we were in the car again to discover the area and go to the beach - finally! Mucho mas sunburn after our (mostly) sun-filled day. Our day at the beach spent on a set of beach chairs that cost us 500 colon ($US1) each. This was important, as the 'business owner' explained, as our bags would be watched by him and his employees when we were in the water and we could also order food and drink from them directly and therefore not needing to leave the beach until the end of the day. Dinner was spent at the top rated 'Agua Azul' with an incredible view over the coastline and out to the Pacific Ocean. We were lucky to have a table on the edge of the balcony giving us plenty of time to appreciate the view.
And suddenly it was my birthday! M surprised me with the most delicious chocolate brownie cake, baked by the hotel receptionist's sister - M's resourcefulness never ceases to amaze me. It. must be the German blood! Instead of driving to the busy part of the beach, we decided to walk from our hotel instead. We happened across a empty plot of land that was on the water front, one of the many with a 'For Sale' sign, in English, along this stretch of road. With an unlocked gate and no sign of security we walked through the property to the almost empty beach on the other side. Our own little piece of heaven! We enjoyed this spot for a couple of hours before the time came to return to our hotel and prepare for our departure.
No time in Manuel Antonio would be complete without eating at El Avion - the restaurant with a bar inside a genuine Cold War Relic - Cargo Plane C-123 that was left abandoned at San Jose by the Americans. To read more about how it made its way down the perilous roads to its current location, click here.
Although we could have done with more time here, we had already experienced a lot of the available activities whilst at the Arenal Volcano. Further ensuing road chaos and we were finally back in San Jose to see out our last evening in Costa Rica.
Onward to El Salvador!
TBC....
Our drive to Manuel Antonio was slightly (ie grossly) different and longer than Google Maps' directions and approximations. We were taken down several 'non-roads' that were not only narrow and windy but also unsealed. Praise for Jose, our SUV, was near continuous. Aside from directional issues the last 2 (of +6) hours was driven in a heavy tropical thunder storm after sunset with buses and trucks crazily overtaking us and other vehicles on these windy, un-lit roads (kheyli vahshi!) Never fear, we survived and happened upon our hotel soon after 7:30pm and soon after called it a night.
We woke to the sounds of the jungle and with a quick look out the window realised the beach was only walking distance away. A quick 'continental breakfast' of fruit and toast and we were in the car again to discover the area and go to the beach - finally! Mucho mas sunburn after our (mostly) sun-filled day. Our day at the beach spent on a set of beach chairs that cost us 500 colon ($US1) each. This was important, as the 'business owner' explained, as our bags would be watched by him and his employees when we were in the water and we could also order food and drink from them directly and therefore not needing to leave the beach until the end of the day. Dinner was spent at the top rated 'Agua Azul' with an incredible view over the coastline and out to the Pacific Ocean. We were lucky to have a table on the edge of the balcony giving us plenty of time to appreciate the view.
And suddenly it was my birthday! M surprised me with the most delicious chocolate brownie cake, baked by the hotel receptionist's sister - M's resourcefulness never ceases to amaze me. It. must be the German blood! Instead of driving to the busy part of the beach, we decided to walk from our hotel instead. We happened across a empty plot of land that was on the water front, one of the many with a 'For Sale' sign, in English, along this stretch of road. With an unlocked gate and no sign of security we walked through the property to the almost empty beach on the other side. Our own little piece of heaven! We enjoyed this spot for a couple of hours before the time came to return to our hotel and prepare for our departure.
No time in Manuel Antonio would be complete without eating at El Avion - the restaurant with a bar inside a genuine Cold War Relic - Cargo Plane C-123 that was left abandoned at San Jose by the Americans. To read more about how it made its way down the perilous roads to its current location, click here.
Although we could have done with more time here, we had already experienced a lot of the available activities whilst at the Arenal Volcano. Further ensuing road chaos and we were finally back in San Jose to see out our last evening in Costa Rica.
Onward to El Salvador!
TBC....
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