Poas Volcan downhill to Sarapiqui - 51.5km, Up 1,264' Down 7,316

It is obvious that Paulo runs a first class tour and provides the best for his clients. Last night we stayed in a fantastic hotel that was located in the north part of the town of Heredia, just north of San Jose.

Today is the first official day of the tour and we meet the rest of the crew from Dallas - Mike, Barry and Donny. We drive close to the top of the Volcano that we climbed yesterday, have lunch and then take off. I can feel the lead in my legs leftover from the day before but with not much climbing and a lot of downhill, I mean a lot of downhill - we drop from around 8,000' down to 150' elv. We pass through the jungle and a very large waterfall called the waterfall of peace, past a plantation and then to the valley floor below. Tonight we stay in Sarapiqui about 40km from the Atlantic Ocean

The next few days the country will be almost shut down as they take the celebration of Easter very seriously. This means drastic measures must be taken to avoid not getting and beer for the next few days - we are sending Nene to the store soon for the upcoming demand in Pilsen, Imperial & Bavaria beers, all local products of the region. Speaking of local products, I know Coca-Cola does not come to mind as a local product, but they signs are everywhere and they use local cane sugar and the traditional bottles almost making it a local product as well.

Tonight we are staying in the jungle (actually just a portion left after the clear cutting) in a nice hacienda with bungalows and birds, but you sweat just typing the keys on the computer. I was finally able to enjoy the full potential of the food that is being served tonight because the need for calories has arrived. We shuttle tomorrow morning to Siquirres and, from what I hear we have another 5,000' to climb to get to the next destination in Turrialba.

After diner Bob, Paulo & Nene ask everyone if they want go to town and see what the nightlife is like. Everyone else is wondering how late the night will be and worry about not getting to bed until 3am. I decide that I am only going to be here once and I better jump on the bus or forever wonder.

More to Come