hanging bridges and the jungle

I spent my 2nd day in CR heading deeper into the jungle where I found the natives had erected some rickety hanging bridges over some deep chasms-

I did manage to spot some sort of rare and exotic bird-

(looked like an overgrown robin to me, though bird watching is big here)

But to capture the fast moving Toucan, one had to have really good and quick photographic skills

I did see a few monkeys in their natural habitat, though not enough to fill a barrel-

The jungle is indeed dense and more than once I had to wield my machete to hack my way through-

At night, I came upon an undiscovered hot spring deep inside a cave-

I did stumble upon a big jungle water fall.  Ever since dangling my legs over Victoria Falls, I have had a penchant for swimming near falls-

It was well that I hiked around the volcano yesterday (not possible to climb- thank goodness as I would hate to have to undertake that).  But still a spectacular mountain-

Arenal

My first lodging was situated  quite close to the airport.  Initially, I wondered  why my host handed me a pair of ear plugs when he gave me my room key, but I discovered the reason at 4am the next morning when aircraft started flying about 100 ft over my room.  But that at least drowned out the noise of the guy coughing all night next door undoubtedly with the CoronaVirus.  How thin do the walls have to be before you can actually catch the virus? 

My first day took me from San Jose about 2 hours northwest to the famous Arenal Volcano.  Arenal, even if no longer visibly smoking, is indeed one impressive mountain, having an almost perfect conical shape.  I was lucky enough to see it entirely on a rare clear day-

Notice the scars from the most recent lava flows.  Being intrepid, you will see that I am standing right where the last lava flow stopped-

Of course, that was in 1992... It is truly amazing how fast the vegetation recovers and sprouts from the solidified rock.  I guess that is what 300+ inches of rain per year will do for you (this place being one of the rainiest places on earth). 

But being the explorer that I am, I ventured deep into relatively unknown and very inhospitable parts where creature comforts were pretty much unknown-

Of course, being into sustainability and naturalness in all things I did stay in an Eco Lodge in the jungle (just putting Eco in the name was enough for me).  I did wonder why it was so cheap, but
the cold showers and lack of actual internet receptivity, notwithstanding the 'free Wifi,' started to give some clue.   No more Ecos for me, though it did have some appeal-

street signs and sea turtles

I arrived at the San Jose Airport in Costa Rica and picked up my rental car.  The rental car was reasonably priced, but for some reason my driving record must have preceded me as the cost of the insurance doubled the price of the car.  This despite the fact that declined all insurance.  Not sure how the Costa Rican police discovered my penchant for speeding but there you go.  A huge insurance premium and a mere $3000 deposit and I was on my way. 

As a novel approach to navigation, there are no street signs in Costa Rica.  Perhaps they did away with them when they abolished the army.  Or perhaps their teenagers went on one of those sign vandalizing binges and wiped them all out.   Everyone apparently relies on Waze.  But what did people do before Waze and the internet?   Maybe they used Google Maps.  Or maybe they just went where the road took them and settled down in place. 

 In any case, my BnB was located less than 1km from the airport and.... I arrived about 1 hour later (after having passed the no name street maybe 5-6 times.  Waze in Spanish is not all that easy. 

But wildlife abounds in Costa Rica and I did manage to spot a sea turtle my first night-

South Africa....

As I have mentioned, driving in South can be adventure by itself with all the people, hitchhikers, cows, impalas, goats, sheep, fast drivers, slow drivers, construction crews and trucks roaming the roads.  Overall, the roads are good and smooth, but many non-highways often have significant stretches of potholes.  Some are deep and if you fall in,  for some reason, you are prohibited from getting yourself out-

I did see some unusual construction projects driving around-

Does 'standalone' mean no sink or bathroom?  Not sure.

I would certainly appreciate anyone who can explain the meaning of the following sign-

Notwithstanding my occasional bemusement, I found South Africa a wonderful, beautiful, incredibly diverse, and exotic land filled with some of the most friendly and welcoming people I have met anywhere,

 From 'the prettiest city in the world-

To the prettiest vineyards anywhere-

To its beautiful sea side towns-

To the dramatic and world class Drakenbergs-

To its exotic animals-

To its oh-so-welcoming and interesting people-

To its spectacular and uniquely  verdant Blyde River Canyon-

Where else in the world can you see and experience all this?

And if you throw into all of that, a side to one of the world's true wonders at Vic Falls (as they call it)-

Well, you have the makings of a pretty good trip.   Thanks for reading. 

Potholes...and a lawyered country..

A couple more pictures of the impressive Blyde River Canyon-

I mostly stayed in B&Bs while in SA and they were almost uniformly excellent- clean, comfortable, modern, spacious, charming and of very good value (usually around $70 including a full breakfast).  I tended to gravitate to inconspicuous earth- toned type places-

On my last day in South Africa, on the advice of one of the women I met in Kruger, I went to Bourke's Potholes in the Blyde River Canyon.  Why someone would want potholes as his slice of immortality, I am not sure, but evidently Mr. Bourke did.

  The formations from the river were quite interesting and unique-

The potholes resembled some of my teeth cavities-

Interestingly, in SA, in any national or provincial park or reserve, or even in any hotel room for that matter, you always saw these prominent disclaimers-

The place is a lawyer's dream.  Ok, one more summary post for my African adventure. 

Blyde River Canyon

It was with some sadness that I left my merry band of new South African friends behind.  They, including the guides, were a terrific group and made the whole  experience quite memorable-

They knew how to rough it too- there was no shortage of gin and tonics, whiskey, wine and beer for what they call here "sundowners" or at the evening meal. 

I journeyed then to Blyde River Canyon just west of Kruger park in the northeast of the country.  It is the 3rd largest canyon in the world and quite impressive-

It is unique among canyons because it so green. 

Within the canyon, there are the famous 3 rondavels, which look a little like traditional SA huts by the same name-

I took a hike deep into the canyon and found a deserted swimming hole with a waterfall on my way back.  The water was cold but not icy and so I decided to go for a quick swim....below the falls-