Bucket List Journey through Photography

Friday, February 15, 2013

More photos of Rivas in Nicaragua

Nicargua tours

this is the company we used in the border crossing into Nicaragua from Costa Rica. Tell him Debbie sent you! www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g1627816-d2062872-Reviews-Macua_Tours_Travel_Day_Tour-Rivas_Rivas_Department.html

So we booked our Nicaragua overnight tour through a guide I found on trip advisor. It wasn't something I thought I would do while in Costa Rica because I love Costa Rica why leave??? But the reviews were so good about Edwin, and well deserved I found out. For those that want to experience a different country, but have fears. A guide is perfect. We were picked up at our house at 5 am and transferred to Edwin's hands at the border. The company made a very confusing border crossing become simple and relaxed. Well almost haha As we drive up to the Border crossing you knew you were close when you see 3 miles of big trucks lined up along the side of the road.

The forms we had to fill out we all in Spanish!!! Worried we were doing it wrong and couldn't return...yes. When we get to the customs we see all these guys right up against the chain link fence holding a HANDFULL of cash. This seemed really weird to us "gringos" but when I asked our guide why they were outside the fence with all that cash, he looked at me weird and said exchanging money! So I guess its like a bank...no sure. Police, and guards with guns all over and then young men with handfuls of cash. There then was a long area that one guide handed us off to Edwin (our Nicaraguan guide) but couldn't come any further. This was also a bit intimidating, but Edwin eased our minds as soon as we arrived. So we cross the border, Edwin meets us, puts us in a van and we drive away. (thinking OMG I hope we doing the right thing here. and I'd kill my kids if they ever booked a stranger over the internet to get them into a foreign country without researching things) haha that's the Mother worrier speaking. We drive to Rivas which was Edwins small home town. It was a busy city. Wow, between people walking, horses with riders, horses connected to buggies, and men with rickshaw bicycles. We ate breakfast in a small local place. No english here! Then we got on the rickshaws and got a 1/2 ride around the city up and down back streets. Amazing experience, and what a great way to see things. I could have done this all day! We stopped at a church that was 100's years old.

Costa Rica Travels

Those who know me, know that I love Costa Rica. This was our 3rd trip in 13 years. The 1st time we went to Costa rica we truly were "gringos"! Loving the wildlife and rainforest, and the Ticos. (what the costa rican people call themselves.) the culture is amazing. Our 2nd trip was 5 years ago and we did notice that tourism had found Costa Rica. Some places had lost some of the "culture" we loved. So since then we have wanted to return...before the Costa Rica we loved disappeared. We were worried that eventually Costa Rica small towns and beaches would become americanized and loose some of their charm. Enough said...I will post some photos and tell you a bit out our 2013 trip. (which we toured different places than we had been previously) This is the 1st time we flew into Liberia instead of San Jose. It was incredible, a brand new small airport that is super easy to drive away from. Roads are well marked! Also the 1st time we flew at night...this also worked well for us. No jetlag! Slept from edmonton to Houston, ate breakfast and soon back on plane to land at 12:30 in Costa Rica. Perfect arriving in daylight, getting settled with rental house, groceries bought. (of course beer stocked in the fridge) and still time to see the beach and monkey's. Life is good!

We meet with friends that night and had a great supper on the beach. the night air is so welcoming. You never need a sweater, it just is the best temperature ever! But bedtime was early I think we made it to 8:30. HAHA.... so glad to be back in my favourite Costa Rica.

Costa Rica day 2

Photos include: the Four Seasons marina, a view of our beach from the far end, and a bird that was right next to our house building a nest, a dead turtle on the beach (they cleaned up rights away) So day 2 included checking out the local areas and getting some Costa Rica Cash. The beach was fantastic, howler monkey's right over top of us. (beware when they have to pee) really!!! haha it happens. Our beach was Playa Hermosa and it was abut 1/2 mile long in a bay protected from the strong ocean winds. Calm waters and nice waves to play in, surrounded by rock to explore along the cove edges. We drove to the Marina over at the Four Seasons across the water. (we can see it from the Playa Hermosa, but its a 20 min drive around the hills) enjoy'd happy hour and fish and chips. Well at least the others did, I experienced my 1st case of car sickness! We booked a trip to Nicaragua which is 1 1/2 from us. exciting but a bit on the