Monteverde 1/20-1/22

We are running waaay behind.  I think it's because we are rapidly nearing the end of our trip, and prefer to spend the time doing something other than sitting in front of a computer.

Also, I've started this post previously, and lost it.  Let's pretend that I was even funnier, and even more eloquent during that attempt (if it's even possible)

So, the bus to Monteverde took a while, and was quite a bit of fun.  First of all we did not have seats assigned because the bus was sold out, but luckily when we boarded the bus we saw a large empty space for a wheelchair.  I took one of our backpacks onboard so that we could sit on it.  When the bus started moving from San Jose bus terminal there were plenty of empty seats, but within an hour they all filled up, and so did the standing room.  There were people standing shoulder to shoulder, and a couple of kids were laying on the floor next to us, playing stones.  The bus stopped once for the bathroom/food break, and we finally bought the Dulce de Leche candy I'd been telling Julie so much about. She appreciated it very much, and we kept searching for it ever since.

About 4 hours later we reached Monteverde.  Cool mountain air felt good after the non-airconditioned bus, but by the time we reached our hostel we felt that the wind was a bit much. As it turned out I booked the same hostel I stayed at last time I was in Monteverde, only this time we did not get upgraded to a nice appartment. Instead we were put in the only available room with the bathroom outside, which would be OK if the weather was nice, and warm, which it was not.  The wind was so strong, that our window was whistling.  Julie with her animosity towards cold was becoming unhappy, Monteverde was not particularly welcoming.

I was only able to persuade Julie to come out for food that night.  

The following morning the wind kept up, and so did Julie's poor mood. My initial attempts to persuade her that it was actually warm outside despite the wind proved futile. In about 2 hours (after we moved to a room with the bathroom) we agreed to take a stroll around town, get some food, and see what's up.  

After breakfast we decided to go for the hanging bridges walk in the cloud forest. Miraculously, when we finally got to the beginning of the walk the wind subsided.  Julie's stuborness paid off!  

The ticket we purchased included the bridges, the butterfly garden, and the calibri garden.  We started with the butterfly garden.  This particular garden looked like a large greenhouse to keep the temperature high enough for the butterflies.  It was too hot for me, but Julie loved it.  The guide told us a lot of information about the butterflies which I promptly forgot.

Next came the calibri garden.  

After visiting the butteflies and the birds we moved on to the bridges.  I've been on the bridges before, but I still love to walk on them.  Especially when I get to sway them, and see if Julie gets scared (she does not, by the way.)

In the evening we decided on the approximate plan of our further travel.  Instead of going to La Fortuna we'd go to Quepos/Manuel Antonio, where we'd rent a car, and continue our Costa Rica travel with more flexibility than buses could offer.  There was only one obsticle we had to overcome - the only bus for Quepos was leaving at 6am...

2012.01.20 Monteverde