We were met by Arturo
Yglesisas, a very helpful and friendly man who organized EVERYTHING
for our entry into his country. He and his workers had enough on
their plates for a number of days to ensure that everything went
according to plan and that we were actually
allowed to disembark. On our arrival, there were also two Vets (a
couple) called Katherine and Adrian and the truck-driver who was
going to take us to where Arturo had arranged for us to stay. Our
quarters were pure luxury and, as it was raining when we arrived,
we were ushered into our cosy stables where our hay, water and some
extra bits to chew on were waiting for us.
and his lovely wife Melania invited Ms M into their house where
they made her feel just like part of the family. She went with them
one evening to hear one of their daughters sing and play the piano
at a concert that was held by all the students. They visited a restaurant
where they play traditional kind of music and she also accompanied
them down south to Pavones (near the border with Panama) where Miss
M dipped her toes into the Pacific Ocean for the first time. They
also visited the Volcano Poas. Ms M was really taken in by the beauty
and warmth of the Costan Rican people.
M also got introduced to two lads who were keen horse enthusiasts
who offered to ride with Ms M on her first day out of San Jose.
Then she met Marco (a real character and mad about horses) who was
so enthusiastic about our trip that he suggested he, along with
a couple of other friends, join Miss M for a four day ride once
she gets up north, closer to the Nicaraguan border. They said they
will arrange everything and Miss M and us only needed to be there!
the first six days out of San Jose went really well thanks to Arturo
and Marco who, between them, made sure that Miss M and us had a
safe place every night. And although we got soaked to the bone a
couple of days, we always knew that somebody was waiting for us
on the other side. The ride to Bajo Rodriquez was very wet but the
hospitality of our hosts so warm that
we didnt mind one bit. The two girls in the family were overjoyed
to see us and Miss M told us later how they entertained her that
evening in their house. The girls dressed up in special costumes,
performed for Miss M a traditional dance, gave her photographs of
themselves and wrote her lovely little notes. The next
morning each of the girls got on top of us and Miss M walked us
to their school. A lot of hugs and kisses were exchanged and it
was with sad hearts that we said goodbye to our hosts and those
Our next stop was La Fortuna and we were ever so impressed to see
this spectacular active volcano called Arenal, fuming and shivering
in the distance. Miss M had never seen an active volcano and, if
the truth be told, it was the first time for Tu Fein and I too.
Again, it was heavy rains that day. In fact it poured
down so much that our host Umberto, got Miss M a proper raincoat
to give her better protection
we ARE in the rainy season after
all!. While we were resting in our stable that evening Miss M went
with Umberto to check out our route for the next day and
even splashed around in a natural hot spring bath in the middle
of the forest.
Our ride for the next two days was truly spectacular
where we went through rivers, forests and on dirt roads (too many
stones my only complaint) with Lago Arenal (a 70km long artificial
lake) always on our side. Miss M took so many photographs that Tu
Fein and I really got fed-up
with all the stopping.. not to mention the posing! The last stretch
to Tilaran was quite difficult and, although the views were breathtakingly
beautiful, we had to endure a road that had so many ups and down
that I stopped counting halfway through.
was the place from where we were going to meet our riding friends
(the first time ever during our TATA travels, apart from when we
went with two Gauchos in Bolivia who took us through farms
for two days) and we all wondered how it was going to turn out as
we are so used to travelling by ourselves. We will give Ms M the
opportunity to tell it all in detail at a later stage but all I
can say is that it was GREAT! We really couldnt have asked
for better company; with Alan, who is a brilliant farrier, Lala
who makes the best sandwiches
and Marco who entertained us no end, you couldnt go far wrong.
On top of it we had different sets of people and guides
who joined us every day and everybody was so keen to hop into the
saddle and be part of the adventure for a while. We had our fair
share of rough riding going over stones and rocks and really bumpy
terrain (not to mention all the rivers) but it was wonderful to
be able to ride through the mountains and off the beaten track and
not have car fumes up our nostrils. We were really taken good
care of and no accidents to report, thank god
only Tu Feins
shoe that came loose one day. Miss M didnt have to worry about
anything and every day we had wonderful places to stay in, good
food and everything we could have wished for. Yip you guessed right..
a teary farewell when our ride with our new friends came to an end
in Los Inocentos, not too far from the Nicaraguan border.
was also so kind to organize to get Ms M a number of hydrating gels
full of vitamins for us and these surely worked a treat. We get
them at the end of every days ride and the difference they make
in our overall performance and energy levels is amazing. As an act
of generosity, Marco had offered to send on more to Ms M as we go
along so when we get to El Salvador and Guatemala there will be
more of this miracle stuff waiting for us.
that is our news for the moment folks. We had a long wait at the
border to clear everything but we finally made it into our next
country, Nicaragua. Tu Fein will have the honor of sharing our latest
news with you. Hasta luego amigos!
Marianne an email >