| 31
October 2000 |
| Visited the port
to start the process of releasing the Land Rover.
|
| 29
October 2000 |
Ecuador (map)
Flew to Guayaquil, Ecuador.
|
| 28
October 2000 |
| Visited the old
town of Panama. Unintentionally wandered into a less desirable
area. We were quickly spotted by the tourist police who promptly
escorted us a few metres up the road to a safe area. The contrast
between the dirt and squalor of one street (unsafe) and the
spotless colonial residences of the next (safe) was remarkable.
Visited the Miraflores Locks where we saw a
number of large ships navigate the canal.
|
| 27
October 2000 |
| After a busy few
days travelling around Panama City investigating shipping options
we loaded the Land Rover into a container at Balboa Port. Having
originally intended to ship to Colombia, the security situation
there no longer made this a viable option. Therefore we opted for
Ecuador.
|
| 23
October 2000 |
| Drove from David
to Panama City.
|
| 20
October 2000 |
| Drove up to the
fresh mountain town of Boquete.
|
| 19
October 2000 |
Panama (map)
Crossed the border into Panama. Straight
forward although an over zealous customs official insisted that we
take everything out of the Land Rover to be searched. As a result
we arrived late in the hot town of David.
|
| 18
October 2000 |
| Spent the morning
in the rainforest and on the white beaches of Manuel Antonio
National Park. Camped overnight on the beach at Dominical, a
surfers´ hang out.
|
| 17
October 2000 |
Moved on to Quepos on the Pacific
coast.
|
| 14
October 2000 |
| Drove from Fortuna to Alajuela, just
north of capital city San Jose.
|
| 12
October 2000 |
| Arrived in Fortuna
at the foot of the active Volcano Arenal. Hoped to see the larva
flows but it was too cloudy. Only five weeks a tour guide and an
American tourist were killed here by an eruption of hot ash.
|
| 10
October 2000 |
| Made the arduous
four wheel drive trip to Santa Elena. Visited the cloud forest
reserve.
|
| 09
October 2000 |
| Drove to Ostional
on the Pacific coast. No more than a stretch of beach with a few
huts. Getting there required driving through flooded rivers. The
water at one river came over the bonnet of the Land Rover. At
night we spotted several Olive Ridley turtles arriving to lay
their eggs on the beach. Early the next morning we woke to see
thousands of hatchlings making
the treacherous journey to the sea. This was an
unforgettable experience and probably the highlight of the trip so
far.
|
| 08
October 2000 |
Rincon de La Vieja National Park, Costa Rica. Hiked through
Rainforest, passing through hot springs and mud pools. Abundant
wildlife, including spider monkeys and tapir.
|
| 06
October 2000 |
|
Costa Rica (map)
Moving on from Granada, we crossed into La Cruz, Costa Rica.
Border crossing was straightforward and efficient. Gave a lift to
Australians Adam and Toby who had had their combi impounded at customs
because they were not in possession of the correct US paperwork (a pink
slip). Cultural transition from Nicaragua to Costa Rica was apparent as
we were met by an air conditioned Burger King in the clean white town of
Liberia.
|
| 05
October 2000 |
|
Visited the Avocado Tree School in La Concepcion, a
small village approximately 25 km south east of Managua. Founded by
Baptist organisation CEPAD (Nicaragua) and British Charity The Amos
Trust, the school struggles to provide education for the rural community
of La Concepcion. Another example of people with so little showing so
much happiness.
|
| 03
October 2000 |
|
Nicaragua (map)
Border crossing from Honduras to Ocotal, Nicaragua. The border
guards in Honduras tried to charge for exit stamp. Standing our ground
we didn't pay, much to the displeasure of the border official. Entry
into Nicaragua was straightforward and seemed above board, with friendly
immigration officer taking us through every stage.
|
