Sabado 4 de julio - Dominical
Today me, Jared, Rosie, Melissa, Alex, Floriane, Matt, Alberto and Florence are heading to the coast for a weekend trip away from Mastatal. From 4.30am, the majority of the group begin awakenig, preceeding to make some last minute preparations. Alex and Florence are both still asleep at 5.05am when they are woken and told of the time.. Soon after, with the rest of the group are at the bottom of the drive awaiting the bus, they appear in time to also catch the early morning bus... and the only one of the day out of Mastatal! As we are chatting we begin to hear the sound of a bus struggling down the steep bumpy road.. it appears up the hill above us and after it's slow descent we jump on.. Toby (the dog), also makes an attempt to join us. When we arrive in Mastatal, with the bar on the corner, we first continue in the opposite way to our main route in order for others to catch the bus. The route takes us past two other volunteer projects in Mastatal, Siempre Verde and (everyone's favourite..) Iguana Chocolate! The views are simply breathtaking.. this really is paradise.
We turn around and return back into Mastatal, more people fill the already heavily packed bus.. I am now standing, making way so that a lady with a baby can sit. On route the bus becomes unable to continue up a steep hill.. we are slipping backwards instead! Time to lessen the weight.. those standing exit and begin walking. Eventually the bus is able to overcome this section and passes us, stopping on a flatter part further up. I am out of breath climbing!
At Santa Rosa junction we depart the bus, paying our fee and saying our final goodbyes to Mali who is leaving the farm for good now and journeying onto Arenal. The bus slowly pulls away, we now have two options.. 1) stay here and wait for our bus to Quepos.. We are in the middle of nowhere and the bus will not be arriving for another hr and a half... 2) walk for an hour to a restaurant where we can have breakfast before taking the bus from there when it arrives. . We opt.. food firmly in mind.. for option 2 and begin walking.
Breakfast.. without suprise.. is rice and beans (+eggs and some meat), and a tasty banana. The bus pulls up as we wait outside the restaurant, and soon we are on route to Quepos. The journey is a sweaty affair.. But I manage to get some sleep.. Evidenced by the pics taken. From Quepos we take a bus to Dominical.. an hour later we arrive in this chilled beach side town. Our hostel is great.. located a few meters walk to the beach, with an open communal area looking out at the palm trees and beach.. allowing a gentle breeze to pass through.
After sorting out money withdrawal and grabbing some tacos for lunch with Rosie and Melissa, I cross the street to the bar where I order a beer and watch the remainder of the 2nd half of the Copa Americano Final between Chile v Argentina.. my allegiance firmly with Chile! An older couple sat next to me at the bar have collected two rows of empty bottles in front of them, and the affects are clear to see. With the game still 0-0 after full time, the game heads into extra time.
I stretch my legs, walking down to the beach and spot Jared, Floriane and Alberto heading my way. They then accompany me back to the bar, for another beer.. Plus now also finding free wifi here. The game goes into penalties. . A cruel way to decide a team sport.. I watch on in excitement, surrounded by the other's with their heads in their phones. . Chile win.. I, no surprise, scream out in celebration, along with a group occupying two tables nearby, dressed in Chilian colours and holding small plastic flags.
Later in the early evening we all meet up with James and Cara, who arrived here the previous day, and head to a vegetarian restaurant. I declare my new found vegetarian status.. Let's see how long that lasts..
After our meal we head to an up market restaurant with live reggae music tonight. . We enquire, and due to our large group (we are also now joined by three girls we've met earlier in our hostel and again on the walk to the reggae night) we are given entry for a mil (colones) each instead of 3 mil. The price of alcohol, when looking through the menu after entering, quickly helps us to decide that we will pre drink elsewhere first. . We walk down the street and into a local low quality supermarket, where we find some cheap rum, plus coke as a mixer. All sorted we take our drinks to the beach, where we relax, drink, put the world to right in the lifeguard shack!
We've missed the majority of the first reggae band when we finally make it back but soon after a new band enters the temporary slightly raised staging. Most of the group return back to the hostel, but me, Jared, James and Cara stay out for a little longer.. Enjoying the live music and atmosphere here.. The place is now packed, mainly by locals. With music, and alcohol, filling my body I cant stop myself and pull out some questionable salsa moves!
Domingo 5 de julio - Dominical
A rough morning is no suprise from the rum consumed the previous night. I eat some fruit for breaky and head down to the beach to chill in the morning, with a book I have found in the hostel.. Life of Pi. I am soon caught up in the book.. I return to the hostel where I find Jared relaxing in one of the hammocks and tell him about the book... It is at this point we hear a voice behind me.. The book in fact belongs to someone else!
For lunch me and Jared head to a nearby soda where I enjoy an extremely tasty veggie Casada. In the afternoon the group head off on on a walk to a waterfall. . I decide to stay.. Getting comfy in a hammock and have an afternoon nap. I wake to heavy rain outside.. Rosie and Melissa return alone, they decided to turn back with the walk already much longer than expected and with little faith as to how much longer at that point they still had. Later, whilst I am watching the women's world cup final (USA v Japan).. The game is 4-1 at half time.. The rest of the group return. Due to budget, a return to pasta and tomato sauce is many of people's choice for dinner, using the basic kitchen facilities.
Lunes 6 de julio - Dominical/Mastatal
We all begin waking up and start packing around 7am.. our bus back to Quepos is at 8.25am.. Once ready we leave for breaky beforehand. In Quepos we have a couple of hours to kill before our bus at 1pm which will take us to the Santa Rosa junction. We waste time at an ice cream store POPS.. outside we see Alex. . shirt unbuttoned, walking across the street with a local.. oh dear.. Jared returns and we then continue walking around the town and seeing the beach. After eating lunch at a tacos restaurant. . with free wifi, we are back at the terminal saying our goodbyes to James and Cara before boarding our bus.
Outside it begins to rain heavy whilst inside the bus it is hot and humid, meaning I'm stuck in catch 22.. open the windows for air and I'll get wet..closed, sweaty. Eventually, around 3 hrs later, after at times an unpleasant journey due to the heat, we are dropped off at the Santa Roaa junction. From here we can wait for the bus (around an hour later), walk to Mastatal.. (2hrs?) or hope for a hitch hike.. with a group of 8 now (Jasmine has returned now too from Manuel Antonio, along with Florence who had chosen Manuel Antonio instead of Dominical) this looks unlikely, at least all together..Three minutes into our walk however, a truck appears behind us, we stick out our hands andas he drives up next to us he signals to jump into the back... we all just fit...reminiscent of my time in Ecuador! In no time we are soon enjoying the taste of a welcome back to Mastatal beer.
Outside it begins to rain heavy whilst inside the bus it is hot and humid, meaning I'm stuck in catch 22.. open the windows for air and I'll get wet..closed, sweaty. Eventually, around 3 hrs later, after at times an unpleasant journey due to the heat, we are dropped off at the Santa Roaa junction. From here we can wait for the bus (around an hour later), walk to Mastatal.. (2hrs?) or hope for a hitch hike.. with a group of 8 now (Jasmine has returned now too from Manuel Antonio, along with Florence who had chosen Manuel Antonio instead of Dominical) this looks unlikely, at least all together..Three minutes into our walk however, a truck appears behind us, we stick out our hands andas he drives up next to us he signals to jump into the back... we all just fit...reminiscent of my time in Ecuador! In no time we are soon enjoying the taste of a welcome back to Mastatal beer.
Martes 7 de julio - Mastatal
There is now a large group of volunteers here.. The most I have known during my time at Villasmastatal. Today we head to the National Park and clear another route. We return for lunch and have made plans to play football in the afternoon, however heavy rain throughout the afternoon puts a stop to that plan.. Instead it is chess in El Rancho. Me and Jared begin making plans as to when to leave Mastatal and where we will head too.. other volunteers may also join us.
Miercoles 8 de julio - Mastatal
This morning Javy, Raky and Andres leave for San Josè. There are now 17 volunteers here, meaning a little too many for the work required on the farm. We split into three group. I am with Florence, Julie, Jared, Ben and Alex... Our job is to start the new lasaña compost.. Layers of leftover food, dead wood, leaves, caca (poo) de vaca/cerdo/pollo, EM, charcoal. We spend probably too long doing this job.
It is a cooler morning and again it rains heavy in the afternoon. I have also decided that I might head into Nicaragua sooner by bus and therefore not taking the flight I had to book I order to show proof of my exit from Costa Rica before arrival. This will give me 2 weeks there to travel.. Before returning to Alajuela to take my flight back home.
Jueves 9 de julio - Mastatal
My final day at Villasmastatal, and what another fantastic experience I have had here. As I walk out of the dorm to the kitchen for breakfast, I look out into the distant at the mountainous view.. Here I am surrounded by nature.. I will certainly miss waking up to that everyday. Pura Vida.
This morning me, Jasmine and Matt finish digging a trench we started the week before.. Hot and sweaty work! We stay at Villas during the afternoon after the final visit from the chocolate man! Matt, Rachel, Catherine and Lisa head into town.. Just before the rain begins pouring down, but they kindly buy us beers to have in the evening.. Saving ourselves the long walk. I pack up my bag in preparation for our early morning departure tomorrow.
In the evening I speak with Racquel, unfortunately Javier is away so I am unable to wish him farewell and thanks in person. Randall also returns in the evening to join us as we chill out together..my time here is nearly over.. I'm also now into my final months travel.
Viernes 10 de julio - La Fortuna
An early start..the sun has risen by the time we make our way to the bus stop at the bottom of the drive. Ahead of us, after boarding the bus at around 5.30am and loading all of our luggage in the back, is intially a 3hr journey to Puriscal.
On route I sit next to Catherine, she asks me many questions about my years travel.. So I tell her some of my highlights and experiences.. We continue to chat about our lifes goals...meaning..striving for happiness etc.. deep.. especially so early in the day.. without any intake of alcohol.
I now have a new passion for languages.. Although it brings me great frustration as to how far I have yet to go to fully learn and speak Spanish well! Maybe I will too pursue a path similar to her boyfriend.. Who spent a year teaching English in Mexico, which grew his langauge skills greatly.
In Puriscal, Alex is off, he has 5 Mil colones (10 Dollars), and now plans to hitch hike to the airport.. Although his flight home is not until next week.. A interesting journey lies ahead.
Me, Rachel, Catherine and Jared buy breaky (rice and beans.. mmm) whilst the others get fruit and bread from a panaderia. Soon after we are jumping onto a bus about to depart for San Jose, filling the final few seats. More reflection during this journey with Jared.. maybe to be expected with the end of this year's travel in sight.
In San Jose we have to walk to a different terminal to take a bus to La Fortuna. On route to the terminal we grab food for lunch, and after some distraction from taxi drivers, we are just in time to buy tickets for the 11.50am bus.. We board soon after buying the tickets and depart from San Jose.. Ahead of us a 4hr journey. Rain begins to pour down soon into the ride and continues throughout. After a long journey we arrive in La Fortuna, and after some searching around in the rain, find a hostel for the next two nights.
There is now a large group of volunteers here.. The most I have known during my time at Villasmastatal. Today we head to the National Park and clear another route. We return for lunch and have made plans to play football in the afternoon, however heavy rain throughout the afternoon puts a stop to that plan.. Instead it is chess in El Rancho. Me and Jared begin making plans as to when to leave Mastatal and where we will head too.. other volunteers may also join us.
Miercoles 8 de julio - Mastatal
This morning Javy, Raky and Andres leave for San Josè. There are now 17 volunteers here, meaning a little too many for the work required on the farm. We split into three group. I am with Florence, Julie, Jared, Ben and Alex... Our job is to start the new lasaña compost.. Layers of leftover food, dead wood, leaves, caca (poo) de vaca/cerdo/pollo, EM, charcoal. We spend probably too long doing this job.
It is a cooler morning and again it rains heavy in the afternoon. I have also decided that I might head into Nicaragua sooner by bus and therefore not taking the flight I had to book I order to show proof of my exit from Costa Rica before arrival. This will give me 2 weeks there to travel.. Before returning to Alajuela to take my flight back home.
Jueves 9 de julio - Mastatal
My final day at Villasmastatal, and what another fantastic experience I have had here. As I walk out of the dorm to the kitchen for breakfast, I look out into the distant at the mountainous view.. Here I am surrounded by nature.. I will certainly miss waking up to that everyday. Pura Vida.
This morning me, Jasmine and Matt finish digging a trench we started the week before.. Hot and sweaty work! We stay at Villas during the afternoon after the final visit from the chocolate man! Matt, Rachel, Catherine and Lisa head into town.. Just before the rain begins pouring down, but they kindly buy us beers to have in the evening.. Saving ourselves the long walk. I pack up my bag in preparation for our early morning departure tomorrow.
In the evening I speak with Racquel, unfortunately Javier is away so I am unable to wish him farewell and thanks in person. Randall also returns in the evening to join us as we chill out together..my time here is nearly over.. I'm also now into my final months travel.
Viernes 10 de julio - La Fortuna
An early start..the sun has risen by the time we make our way to the bus stop at the bottom of the drive. Ahead of us, after boarding the bus at around 5.30am and loading all of our luggage in the back, is intially a 3hr journey to Puriscal.
On route I sit next to Catherine, she asks me many questions about my years travel.. So I tell her some of my highlights and experiences.. We continue to chat about our lifes goals...meaning..striving for happiness etc.. deep.. especially so early in the day.. without any intake of alcohol.
I now have a new passion for languages.. Although it brings me great frustration as to how far I have yet to go to fully learn and speak Spanish well! Maybe I will too pursue a path similar to her boyfriend.. Who spent a year teaching English in Mexico, which grew his langauge skills greatly.
In Puriscal, Alex is off, he has 5 Mil colones (10 Dollars), and now plans to hitch hike to the airport.. Although his flight home is not until next week.. A interesting journey lies ahead.
Me, Rachel, Catherine and Jared buy breaky (rice and beans.. mmm) whilst the others get fruit and bread from a panaderia. Soon after we are jumping onto a bus about to depart for San Jose, filling the final few seats. More reflection during this journey with Jared.. maybe to be expected with the end of this year's travel in sight.
In San Jose we have to walk to a different terminal to take a bus to La Fortuna. On route to the terminal we grab food for lunch, and after some distraction from taxi drivers, we are just in time to buy tickets for the 11.50am bus.. We board soon after buying the tickets and depart from San Jose.. Ahead of us a 4hr journey. Rain begins to pour down soon into the ride and continues throughout. After a long journey we arrive in La Fortuna, and after some searching around in the rain, find a hostel for the next two nights.
Sabado 11 de julio - La Fortuna
Our initial plan for the day had been to walk to the entrance of Cerro Chato..(providing views of Volcan Arenal).. a 1 1/2 hr walk.. After buying some food supplies for the day, we begin to walk out of La Fortuna and the rain begins falling.. After travelling a short distance we reaccess the situation we've found ourselves in and decide instead to turn back and go to the free hot spring river.
The new plan at first seems that we'll be able to now enjoy some breaky but as we return to the hostel our receptionist tells us that the bus (the only one of the day heading in the direction of the hot springs river) is leaving at 8am.. In less than 10 mins. We turn around and quickly head to the terminal where we take the bus which drops us at the river bridge. It is raining heavier now, so we first huddle up in the small bus stop. With the rain still falling, looking unlikely to stop any time soon.. if not at all today.. we make our way under the bridge to the hot water river.. a free options in comparison to the pricey 5 star resort opposite to where we had been dropped. We chill here and relax.. my fingers becoming crinkly.
After enjoying some peanut butter sandwiches we squeeze into a jeep style taxi back to the hostel. In the evening me and Jared cook.. guacamole, rice and beans, tortillas... delicious. Afterwards we head over the road to Lava Lounge to enjoy live reggae music, I treat myself to a brownie for desert. Back in our dorm I now realise that my damp dirty clothes (they never dry in the humidity) are stinking out the room!
Domingo 12 de julio - La Fortuna
When we wake this morning, the sky is the clearest it has been meaning it is possible to see Volcan Arenal in the distance behind our hostel. The group decide to head off to Cerro Chato.. I choose to continue watching the Wimbledon Final and skype my Head of Music.. the reality of September hitting me hard in the face!
I relax in the afternoon, writing my journal and begin searching for one Ben's (a volunteer from Mastatal) recommendations.. Alan Watts 'Do you do it, or does it do you'.
We eat out as a group in the evening, and after a beer and some guitar playing with Lisa, I fall asleep early. Tomorrow I will be heading to Mal Pais on the Nicoya Peninsula to stay with family.
Our initial plan for the day had been to walk to the entrance of Cerro Chato..(providing views of Volcan Arenal).. a 1 1/2 hr walk.. After buying some food supplies for the day, we begin to walk out of La Fortuna and the rain begins falling.. After travelling a short distance we reaccess the situation we've found ourselves in and decide instead to turn back and go to the free hot spring river.
The new plan at first seems that we'll be able to now enjoy some breaky but as we return to the hostel our receptionist tells us that the bus (the only one of the day heading in the direction of the hot springs river) is leaving at 8am.. In less than 10 mins. We turn around and quickly head to the terminal where we take the bus which drops us at the river bridge. It is raining heavier now, so we first huddle up in the small bus stop. With the rain still falling, looking unlikely to stop any time soon.. if not at all today.. we make our way under the bridge to the hot water river.. a free options in comparison to the pricey 5 star resort opposite to where we had been dropped. We chill here and relax.. my fingers becoming crinkly.
After enjoying some peanut butter sandwiches we squeeze into a jeep style taxi back to the hostel. In the evening me and Jared cook.. guacamole, rice and beans, tortillas... delicious. Afterwards we head over the road to Lava Lounge to enjoy live reggae music, I treat myself to a brownie for desert. Back in our dorm I now realise that my damp dirty clothes (they never dry in the humidity) are stinking out the room!
Domingo 12 de julio - La Fortuna
When we wake this morning, the sky is the clearest it has been meaning it is possible to see Volcan Arenal in the distance behind our hostel. The group decide to head off to Cerro Chato.. I choose to continue watching the Wimbledon Final and skype my Head of Music.. the reality of September hitting me hard in the face!
I relax in the afternoon, writing my journal and begin searching for one Ben's (a volunteer from Mastatal) recommendations.. Alan Watts 'Do you do it, or does it do you'.
We eat out as a group in the evening, and after a beer and some guitar playing with Lisa, I fall asleep early. Tomorrow I will be heading to Mal Pais on the Nicoya Peninsula to stay with family.
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