Jeep-Boat-Jeep

Or more accurately, Shuttle Bus-Boat-Minivan.

Lake Arenal.  This lake is actually man-made.  This photograph
was taken from a viewpoint at the Observatory Lodge in La Fortuna.

 This morning, I took the 8am jeep-boat-jeep tour from La Fortuna to Monteverde.  This really is the only way to transport yourself between these 2 cities, the other options border on ridiculous.  The roads in this area (particularly near Monteverde) are inferior (to say the least).  (I am now wishing I had a picture of one of the roads to show, but I don't).  The distance between the 2 cities is not great, but there is a lake in the way and as stated, enormously bad roads to contend with.  There is a local bus, but I think the journey takes somewhere around 6 hours (maybe even more, as my journey took about 4 including a "rest" stop at a large tour operator).

Walking to the boat.

It actually rained quite a bit this morning, so I was more than a little concerned that it would start pouring on my journey.  While it wouldn't be the end of the world (I have no more flights with a 15 pound luggage limit), I still didn't want to be stuck with a bag full of wet, mildewy smelling clothes.

Fortunately, I didn't see any crocodiles.

Loading onto the boat.

I rather enjoyed the journey; it was scenic and relaxing, at least until getting off the boat on the Monteverde side.  At that point, the last couple of hours (I think it was only about 50 km) wasn't enjoyable and was actually kind of sickening (I don't do well with rocking motion and bumpiness).

Finally, I am in Santa Elena (Monteverde) and am on solid, non-bumpy ground.

I wasn't really going to do anything tonight other than explore the city, but I've already done that (there's nothing much to the town of Santa Elena) and there isn't even a park to relax and read in.  (I should probably explain that Santa Elena is the town I'm staying in which is next to Monteverde and the Monteverde Cloud Forest.)  Like in La Fortuna, every single business advertises their tours.  So tonight, I am going on a nature night walk at the Ecological Reserve (booked through my hostel).  I'm excited and hoping to see a sloth.

Later!