Across the border from Nicaragua and down to the Pacific Coast in search of sloths in Manuel Antonio National Park. We made our base at the town of Quepos for two days, spending one at the beach and another walking the trails of the national park.

From the coast, we struck inland, heading to San Gerardo to make a base for hiking the tallest mountain in Costa Rica, Cerro Chirripó. After hiking Cerro Chirripó we headed to the capital, San José where we hit it lucky, coinciding with the start of a week-long festival across the city. Opening night we saw two performances on a massive stage set in the streets of downtown. The first was a tango performance by some Argentinean dance company. It was entertaining, with the president of Costa Rica getting up on stage to dance with them for a small part of it.

The second performance was by far the best we saw while there. They had set a massive crane in the street and they lifted singers, musicians, cyclists and performers up in the air over the crowd. The lights and performance in the air were dazzling and mesmerizing all in one, capturing the imagination of everyone that was there, stunning them to silence and awe.

Free pancakes for breakfast at the hostel and a cute little Korean place for lunch one day in the city were highlights, as well as an awesome free walking tour.

From the capital, we continued north to the Caribbean coast and the town of Puerto Viejo. More sloth visits, rides to the beach and rainforests and some of the most amazing artisanal ice cream I’ve ever had made for a great couple of days. Next was a quick hop across the border into Panama and a boat out to Bocas Del Toro. A day trip on the water was fun, even if it rained all day.

Now we are on our way back across the border into Costa Rica to stay the night in San José then again more buses back to Nicaragua where we are meeting Jarrah and Mikey for Jarrahs thirtieth birthday in San Juan Del Sur…and maybe to meet up with Blake…possibly, maybe, hopefully.