Costa Rica Part 2 - Wild Rivers, Volcanoes lost in Clouds.
Monday, 12 November 2012 10:10 am
Sunday 11th November:
It was quite special waking up in a Zoo this morning, especially hearing the parrots call out ‘Hola’
This volcano has been active for the last few years and we are hoping to see spitting lava !
As the road became a track we had to check the strength of the log bridges.
This one proved OK.
Our first glimpse of Volcan Arenal, still shrouded in clouds.
It has rained here for the last week so we are hoping that she will come out to play
Mosses, lichens, orchids and bromeliads hang from everything.
Finally the everything falls, and we have to get out axes and machetes to cut and then drag away the fallen tree.
After 30kms we reach our final river crossing, the Rio Cannis Negro.
It is in two parts. The second part we cannot see at the moment.
The current is strong and the depth about a metre. After we test walk it Bill is through first, and I follow.
We tie a rope to the bull bar and try again. This is crazy ! It is more than a metre deep and very fast, we cannot even stay on our feet.
There is no alternative but to retrace our steps back the 30kms.. Shame we are only 728 metres to the bitumen road junction.
We find an open space beside the lake where we parked up. Here we have a reasonable view of Volcan Arenal. Unfortunately she did not perform for us !
Camp 271: On the shores of Lake Arenal
Cost: Nil
N10* 28.003 W084* 50.717
Today : 92 Kms.
Trip Total: 94,510 Kms
Monday 12th November:
With our western track impassible we take the black top tourist road on the eastern side of lake Arenal.
Still picturesque including this 500 year old Ceiba tree.
Lots of tourist shops, and a coffee, german sausage stop for us.
In Quesada visited a ‘Talebaiteria’ or saddle maker just for interest.
We parked in the church parking lot when visiting, and as usual people come over and talk. We asked where we could camp and the preacher’s helper then drove us to a friends large guarded yard. Perfect !
Camp 272: Friends of the Church camp - Zarcero
Cost: Nil
N10* 11.236 W084* 23.602
Today : 171 Kms.
Trip Total: 94,681 Kms
Tuesday 13th November:
Now climbing towards Volcan Poas.
We drive over 2000metres and into heavy cloud, visibility is reduced to 100 metres.
Arriving at the gates to the National Park it seems pointless to pay the US$10 each entry to see nothing but cloud. So we elect to find a camp for an early afternoon and wait until tomorrow.
Our host is a very charming Siccoro who runs a guest house here in the cloud forest. ‘No problemo’
Camp 273: Volcan Poas - on top of the world at 2450metres
Cost: US$10each including a cooked breakfast.
N10* 09.582 W084* 13.997
Today : 92 Kms.
Trip Total: 94,773 Kms
Probably one of our best camp spots in Central America. www.lagunillaslodge.com
Wednesday 14th November:
Drove the very steep hill down to the lodge for breakfast, then walked some of the gardens and surrounds.
This place has a nice ‘feel’
Went again to the Volcano park entrance however it is still impossible to see and really not worth the entry.
So decided to try another volcano further south - Volcan Irazu.
Battled the maze of streets trying to avoid the centre of San Jose and eventually started climbing Volcan Irazu. Again the cloud is so thick we cannot even see the vehicle in front - we have to cancel this also. Volcano No3 lost in cloud !
Returning and taking a ‘short cut’ , we find ourselves driving and more so sliding down a very steep wet clay mountain. 1st low 4x4 and still slipping.
Like the song ‘Slip Sliding Away‘
At one stage Lyn bailed out !. I stay with the ship determined to get to the bottom, hopefully remaining on the road.
I had visions of the truck slipping off the road and then bouncing through the slopes of coffee plantations.
Anyway we are all here to tell the story.
Camp is in the street outside a guest house. It was getting dark and we all needed a rum.
I certainly did!
Actually quite nice Guest House, hot showers, and a selfuse kitchen.
Camp 274: Camp Montana Linda Guest House - Orosi
Cost: US$5/couple - hot showers
N09* 47.719 W083* 51.387
Today : 116 Kms.
Trip Total: 94,889 Kms