Dia 96 Isla Ometepe - Rivas 19kms
Partied last night with some other folks who were camping near me. 2 French girls, Marine and Cecilia and a dude from Barcelona named Mark. Gabriel from Austin joined in and we made music 'til the wee hours. Today, on to the mainland and toward my goal of Costa Rica. This morning, I woke up to see a new tent near mine. Out poked a couple of heads and they saw my bike with the Cyclery paraphenalia all over it. "Are you from Durango?" they asked. "Yeah, so are we!" Peter and Brandon Carver introduced themselves and we spoke for a hour about home, travel, etc. Small world!!
Dia 97 Rivas - Liberia 117kms
Had breakfast with 4 Ticos and then cruised to the border, which was a total "cluster fxxx." Not a single sign was visable to guide one through the confusing maze of buildings to first exit Nicaragua, then enter Costa Rica. Tons of offical acting and unofficial looking "helpers" approach with instructions to "follow me." After guiding you to the right window, they hold out their hands for a tip as they don't work for the government at all. In fact they've probably eliminated all of the signs themselves.... One kid, no more than 12 years old, was trying to act official and guide me to get my bike fumigated. By now, I saw that this was bullshit and ditched him. He was shouting after me as I rode away. I managed to make my way through the mess by myself.... Caught a decent tailwind and made it to Liberia, where I'm staying at Nene and Lulu's place tonight. YEAH!!!! I'm in Costa Rica!!!!
Dia 98 Liberia - Nicoya 86 kms
Had nice conversations with Lulu last night and this AM as Nene's off with Paulo guiding a group of cyclists. I was treated like a king in the "Hotel Romero." Gonna try to hook up with Karla's family in Nicoya tonight as I move toward Montezuma, Where Marla, Mark and Nicoya have a place. I want to chill for a few days at a nice place before landing for real. Not in a hurry for this trip to end! Had a hot ride and made it to Karla's family's home, where once again, I'm received with open arms. Took a stroll last night with Don Carlos, Dona Zoila and brother Jhonny to check out the oldest church in Costa Rica. 1544!!! Quite impressive! So nice to have friends!!
Partied last night with some other folks who were camping near me. 2 French girls, Marine and Cecilia and a dude from Barcelona named Mark. Gabriel from Austin joined in and we made music 'til the wee hours. Today, on to the mainland and toward my goal of Costa Rica. This morning, I woke up to see a new tent near mine. Out poked a couple of heads and they saw my bike with the Cyclery paraphenalia all over it. "Are you from Durango?" they asked. "Yeah, so are we!" Peter and Brandon Carver introduced themselves and we spoke for a hour about home, travel, etc. Small world!!
Dia 97 Rivas - Liberia 117kms
Had breakfast with 4 Ticos and then cruised to the border, which was a total "cluster fxxx." Not a single sign was visable to guide one through the confusing maze of buildings to first exit Nicaragua, then enter Costa Rica. Tons of offical acting and unofficial looking "helpers" approach with instructions to "follow me." After guiding you to the right window, they hold out their hands for a tip as they don't work for the government at all. In fact they've probably eliminated all of the signs themselves.... One kid, no more than 12 years old, was trying to act official and guide me to get my bike fumigated. By now, I saw that this was bullshit and ditched him. He was shouting after me as I rode away. I managed to make my way through the mess by myself.... Caught a decent tailwind and made it to Liberia, where I'm staying at Nene and Lulu's place tonight. YEAH!!!! I'm in Costa Rica!!!!
Dia 98 Liberia - Nicoya 86 kms
Had nice conversations with Lulu last night and this AM as Nene's off with Paulo guiding a group of cyclists. I was treated like a king in the "Hotel Romero." Gonna try to hook up with Karla's family in Nicoya tonight as I move toward Montezuma, Where Marla, Mark and Nicoya have a place. I want to chill for a few days at a nice place before landing for real. Not in a hurry for this trip to end! Had a hot ride and made it to Karla's family's home, where once again, I'm received with open arms. Took a stroll last night with Don Carlos, Dona Zoila and brother Jhonny to check out the oldest church in Costa Rica. 1544!!! Quite impressive! So nice to have friends!!
posted by Bicycle Bob at
7:51 AM
3 Comments:
(Tio Cosa is dictating to Sara Cosa)
(our first post apparently didn't go through, so here we go again with a reprise....)
Wow, Bob! Sounds like a marvelous trip, and I wish I had been pedaling along with you, k for k... Sounds like Central America is a kind of bikers' paradise (providing you like the climbs). It's been really wonderful riding along with you in my armchair.
Sara Cosa is wondering if those two Durango guys in the tent that appeared next to yours are the sons of the Carver Brothers!
The snowpack started out with a rotten bottom in November and the situation has only gotten more dangerous with each successive dump (got another big one yesterday, a new one due tomorrow). So snowboarding has been at the area only.
Sara and I have been snowshoeing and x/c skiing in areas less threatening -- and it's all outrageously beautiful.
Sara saw Linda in Nature's O -- radiant and happy to have just talked with you on the phone. Love abounds.
Let me know when you have a reliable phone number -- I'd love to talk with you in person!!
Congratulations on your trip...... what a ride!
Pura Vida Maje!!!
Double D.
Hola Roberto! I'm thinking that we came REALLY close to seeing each other on the road south of Nicoya. I left Samara to go to San Jose the morning of the 29th and would've been between Nicoya and the Friendship Bridge turn-off between 10:30 and 11:00-ish. It would've been SO AMAZING to have bumped into you (not literally of course!). I've really enjoyed "riding with you" on this journey. So thrilled it's unfolded as it has. You have truly LIVED these past three months.
Pura Vida Amigo,
Billy
Post a Comment
<< Home