Cahuita

Getting the exit stamp in Panama, walking about 100m across a high bridge with backpacks and all, and getting the next entry stamp meant we had arrived in Costa Rica.

At the Costa Rican border, the mini van which we were on started having problems and so we were towed for 2km to a person's garage where, after waiting an hour, we switched to a jeep. In true Central American style they had put our bags on the roof without using anything to prevent them from falling off. After having driven about 5km and asking for the third time (or this time insisting) did he reach for a cover and rope to secure our belongings.

The location next to the sea, gardens and natural swimming pool containing seawater which flowed over from the ocean were the main factors when deciding to stay at La Piscina Natural. It is owned by a friendly couple, Walter and Patty. Walter - a Cahuitan local resembling the father of Bob Marley who enjoys drinking beer and smoking weed; and Patty - a north American retired teacher, had worked on that garden for 16 years to make it the bird, lizzard and crab haven that it is today. It seemed like quite an uneventful place until listening to Patty's stories about how boats, transporting drugs, cross the waters and how they used to throw bags of cocaine into the sea when the coast guard came too close. Everyone in this small, poor town could tell who the lucky finders were after they had renovated their house and bought a second and third car.

We spent the first morning horse riding along Playa Negra, the beach next to which we were staying and then into the jungle. Geert looked like he had been doing it for years, galloping with his horse after 10 minutes. I, on the other hand, was happy to walk the whole way while my horse sorted out his dominance issues with another horse. Towards the end of the tour, Geert's horse must have sensed that we were close to home: she started galloping at such a pace without Geert giving the instruction. Trying to stop the horse and gain control, he lost his balance, let go of one reign and fell off. Thankfully he didn't get injured besides for a huge bruise on his thigh and laughed it off as we continued on our way.

For the duration of our stay we rented bicycles to cycle into the town centre. We would have cycled around more had it not been for the tropical rainstorm which lasted a complete day and a half. Instead, as the Afrikaans saying goes: 'boer maak 'n plan'- we sat on the verandah as the rain poured down, glass of wine in hand, making travel plans for the following weeks.

NEW PHOTOS ADDED!