Crossing Central America in six states Nov. 9 - 26. 2016

1. Panama It took more than 15 hours to reach Panama City via Amsterdam from Helsinki. Our group of 12 people was understandable quite tired when arriving to the hotel. I was one of the few ones who still enjoyed a drink or two after dinner. Next day we had a round tour in Panama City. There was mostly nothing new for me as I had spent some days there already some years ago. Panama City consists actually from two different parts the Old and New parts. The old one was destroyed by pirate captein Henry Morgan in 1671.It was rebuilt later some kilometers away from the original site, which today is almost inside of the new city. Anyhow a pleasant hot day with about +32C. I bought an "Original Panama - Hat" made in Ecuador.
 2. Costa Rica Very early in the morning we flew to San Jose in Costa Rica. From the airport we were transported directly to a famous coffee plantague, where we learnt everything "how-to-make-a-good-cup-of- coffee" or cocoa. We drove many hours trough hills and valleys and saw a lot of Costa Rican landscape before coming to our Hotel Palma Real in San Jose. Again an early wake-up call but due the big time difference everybody easily jump up at 5.30am. We then drove trough Braulio Carrillo National park towards Caribbean Sea trough rainforests consisting more than 6000 different plants. We then arrive to tiny La Pavona harbor, where a boat waits for us to take us in heavy tropical rain trough a adventurous jungle river to our next hotel Evergreen Lodge in Tortuguero. Actually the experience to be in heavy tropical rain was like to be cloths on in a warm shower! Next day on an interesting river cruise we saw sloths, frogs, monkeys, turtles and o lot of different even strange looking tropical birds. That evening we arrive to Tilajari Resort to overnight after good dinner and some nice drinks. Well, then on the 7th day of our excursion in Central America is our most exciting and frightening event, crossing the rainforest in Arenal in Arenal Hanging Bridges Park not too far away from the vulcan Arenal. The slippery paht or trail trough and over the forest did consist of 16 hanging bridges, the longest 97 meters, 24m high and another 92m long, 45m high over forest rivers and slopes. Total route was over 3,1 km, and we all made it successfully. To be continued..