As we near to the end of our long journey we reminisced our memories, some funny and some just pure embarassing we were told by leader sarah that it is only the beginning of a new phase of our lives.
In our favourite hostel, Hostel Pang, we scoffed our faces with large hamburgers and mango milkshakes topped off with a chocolate cake to celebrate the days where we were deprived from food. Our bellies were very happy by the end. As I write this my fellow team members are outside enjoying the twinkling lights of San Jose. Tomorrow our 5.30 bus shuttle to the airport will be filled with sadden hearts as we prepare to say goodbye to our home for 1 month for the last time. However we are filled with lots of memories and will greatly miss the close knitted team we have created, that we now call family.
I want to send out the love from the team to our number one fav teacher, a great friend to all of us who is one of us with her constant smiling and crazy bubbly behaviour and is generally a LAD and TRUE FWENDD. Thank you Gordy for everything for making this spectacular experience possible.
I go now and say ADIOS AMIGOS Y BUENAS NOCHES for the last time and we are all looking forward to our family reunions at the airport so see you soon.
Hope youve enjoyed following our blog and our crazy adventures.
love from Taggie and the team
xxxx
Monday 2 August 2010
CHURCH CAMP? FAT CAMP? NO WORLD CHALLENGERS!!
Yesterday we climbed Cerro Chatto Volcano in La Fortuna. It was a tough uphill climb but our team, now super fit climbed it in a record of 2 hours with the help of guide William, a sweet man who used to live in the rainforest and claimed he climbed Arenal Volcano (THE BIG ONE!) illegally 8 times. He showed us how to be tarzan by swinging on vines through the rainforest, luckily none of our clumsiness affected our challenge. Once we reached the top we were greeted by a magnificent view of the volcano crater and some of us were lucky to climb a tree and be blown away by the gorgeous, pituresque view of the lagoon. we stopped for lunch, took beautiful photos and then descended back down the volcanoe. On our journey back we were greeted by a american couple who thought we were a church group we replied NO WERE FAT CAAAAMP! YOU SHOULD HAVE SEEN US WHEN WE ARRIVED! In the midst of our laughter we carried on the journey down singing shine jesus shine, carrying long man made walking sticks, eagerly sprinting to get to the hotsprings.
The baldi hot springs awaited us as we practically tore off our sweaty muddy trekking gear and got into our bikinis and climbed into the various lush hot springs and then hit the water slides where we reached 45km per hour. We all came out in hilarious poses and screeches as we hit or bombed into the water. We got out and went to dinner which was an all you can eat buffet and by the end we all had to waddle out carrying our food babies AKA as Gordy would say DEXTER and his evil twins.
We finished the night off with a couple of milkshakes and cokes at Arenal and then jumped into bed.
BUENAS NOCHES
The baldi hot springs awaited us as we practically tore off our sweaty muddy trekking gear and got into our bikinis and climbed into the various lush hot springs and then hit the water slides where we reached 45km per hour. We all came out in hilarious poses and screeches as we hit or bombed into the water. We got out and went to dinner which was an all you can eat buffet and by the end we all had to waddle out carrying our food babies AKA as Gordy would say DEXTER and his evil twins.
We finished the night off with a couple of milkshakes and cokes at Arenal and then jumped into bed.
BUENAS NOCHES
PURA VIDA
WE started the day with a 4 hour bus journey to La Fortuna. Despite wandering foolishly around for a while we eventually made it to the bus stop only to discover that the bus was completely packed with absolutely no space what so ever. We had a mass panic until a friendly Tico taxi driver came to the rescue and all of us took a ride in his tourist minibus.We spent the journey remenissing UK greatest hits aswell as Bieber Fever and a little S Club 7. Yes I repeat..we are cool.
We turned up at Arenal Backpackers which were fully booked despite us booking three times before and consequently told us to come back in la manana.In the end we stayed at a Chinese hostel where we came across an overly aggressive landlord who stubbornly refused our haggaling techniques.
We set off for the exploradores canopy tour full of excitment. When we arrived we were given our gear and were thrown in at at the deep end with a 250 metres climb over the rainforest in open topped chair lift. By this time the nerves began to set in. We reached the top and were greeted by a smartly dressed Tico, with a glass of mango juice for all to calm the nerves. They eased us in with two 20 metre zip wires. but little did we jnow what was in store for us next. We were then launched down an 800 metre wire, flying down at 45 miles an hour. Special congratulations to Abby who conquered her fear of heights! We did 5 more zipwires which got big and faster each time.
We went out for dinner at a local restaurant where we gorged off the local burgers and ice cream! We began the hunt for souvenirs for family and friends and there was much choice in the town. Finishing the evening off with refreshing showers and air con, we settled in a luxuriously comfortable bed for the night.
The next day we went White Water Rafting. We were welcomed by a enourmous cooked breakfast then set off to the rapids. Shooting down the rapids was exhilerating as the guides yelled commands such as Right Forward, Get Down and Left Back which caused confusion and sent us spinning a couple of times. At this point we realised we were total adrenaline junkies.
The bus journey back was very... eventful, where we joined with another group called gap adventures, a crazy gang of adults. we were all blushing in dire embarassment at their sing.a.longs, frolicking nature, one man even managed to fall on Lucys lap. Us students were appalled yet surprisingly entertained by their drunken antics, but were relieved to escape in one piece to arenal backpackers after spending four long hours in their company!!
ADIOS for now
GGB
KEN KEN
ABBY
TAGGIE
We turned up at Arenal Backpackers which were fully booked despite us booking three times before and consequently told us to come back in la manana.In the end we stayed at a Chinese hostel where we came across an overly aggressive landlord who stubbornly refused our haggaling techniques.
We set off for the exploradores canopy tour full of excitment. When we arrived we were given our gear and were thrown in at at the deep end with a 250 metres climb over the rainforest in open topped chair lift. By this time the nerves began to set in. We reached the top and were greeted by a smartly dressed Tico, with a glass of mango juice for all to calm the nerves. They eased us in with two 20 metre zip wires. but little did we jnow what was in store for us next. We were then launched down an 800 metre wire, flying down at 45 miles an hour. Special congratulations to Abby who conquered her fear of heights! We did 5 more zipwires which got big and faster each time.
We went out for dinner at a local restaurant where we gorged off the local burgers and ice cream! We began the hunt for souvenirs for family and friends and there was much choice in the town. Finishing the evening off with refreshing showers and air con, we settled in a luxuriously comfortable bed for the night.
The next day we went White Water Rafting. We were welcomed by a enourmous cooked breakfast then set off to the rapids. Shooting down the rapids was exhilerating as the guides yelled commands such as Right Forward, Get Down and Left Back which caused confusion and sent us spinning a couple of times. At this point we realised we were total adrenaline junkies.
The bus journey back was very... eventful, where we joined with another group called gap adventures, a crazy gang of adults. we were all blushing in dire embarassment at their sing.a.longs, frolicking nature, one man even managed to fall on Lucys lap. Us students were appalled yet surprisingly entertained by their drunken antics, but were relieved to escape in one piece to arenal backpackers after spending four long hours in their company!!
ADIOS for now
GGB
KEN KEN
ABBY
TAGGIE
Thursday 29 July 2010
GLORIAAAAA...
Dear All..
Just a quick (not really, lol jk) update of our whereabouts and activities of late. Left Puerto Jim early on someday of the week. Everything seems to merge into one when travelling, sad that that is not the case at school. From Puerto Jim it was a quick bus journey and then a rather exciting taxi journey in the back of a cattle truck wedged in between all our rucksacks, thank god not cattle. The taxi took us to Bahia Drake, where the second of our projects was held. We arrived at our eco lodge after walking up the run-way. When I say we were staying near an airport, the truth was we were ON THE RUNWAY, it also doubled as the pathway from village to beach. WOOP.
The first day involved us meeting with the hippy Spanish volunteer scientist geeks who gave us the low-down on what we would be doing over the next couple of days. We were involved in a number of hard tasks including preparing a space for a new hatchery for the baby turtles and improving and updating a bridge to the beach built by Harrow in 2007, finishing Harrow's dirty work.
Alongside the manual labour and skill needed during the day, in the evenings the team took part in night patrols, trooping along the beach in 4 hour slots, from 8 to 12 or the really lucky ones the lovely 12 till 4 slot. No matter what, the patrols were a once in a life time experience walking along the beach in the moonlight with the waves lapping at ones feet. HOWEVER TEAM 1 WERE UBER LUCKY AND BLESSED as they came across Gloria, of the Olive Ridley variety within the first hour of their patrol. Turtle numbers are low at the moment and for the patrol leader, David, this was his first turtle of the season, which runs from July to December. In true Prior's Field fashion, the turtle was named Gloria. For no reason at all other than we all liked it when we were screaming like girls (but silently so as not to disturb her laying 131, yes 131, little mini Gloriaettes; this was in fact a record egg fest). Yes we were all very very VERY excited to have this amazing magical experience and we tried not to be too smuggy McSmug when we got back.
The night followed with more excitment when the team was ATTACKED by not a CROC or a snake or a spider BUT A PUPPY with the energy levels of an energetic THING. The whole team ended up standing on the table wrapped in sleeping bags leaving GORDON alone to fend of the beast, battle wounds were acquired and EDU, the owner of the lodge had to come to the rescue.
In regards to our hard manual labour the team split into two groups working alternative shifts on the bridge and the hatchery. All at the turtle foundation were TRULY AND HONESTLY AMAZINGLY impressed with the sheer GIRL POWER Priors Field bring with them wherever they go.
Everyone was sad to leave the OSA area, considered to be one of the most underdeveloped and beautiful areas of Costa Rica, with many saying it is up to 20 years behind in the development stakes compared to the rest of Costa Rica. WE LOVE THE PURA VIDA way of life, having freshly caught fish and plantaine chips.
Currently in SAN JOSE, staying in a lovely CHILLED OUT HOSTEL with free tea and coffee, so everyone feels at home :). Tomorrow we are off for the last stage of our adventure with a ENERGY PACKED THREE DAYS including canopy tour, white water rafting, a couple of treks here and there and HOT SPRINGS in front of an active volcano, Its a really hard life on expedition.
Hugs and kisses to family and friends and looking forward to seeing you at the airport. NOT; we are all moving to COSTA RICA and opening up a TURTLE SANCTUARY- your all invited to come out and help save this species.
GOOD NIGHT, been on an 8 hour bus journey so Zzzzzz... are much needed.
ADIOS.
SCARF. GORDO. GGB. KEN KEN. WARDY.
Just a quick (not really, lol jk) update of our whereabouts and activities of late. Left Puerto Jim early on someday of the week. Everything seems to merge into one when travelling, sad that that is not the case at school. From Puerto Jim it was a quick bus journey and then a rather exciting taxi journey in the back of a cattle truck wedged in between all our rucksacks, thank god not cattle. The taxi took us to Bahia Drake, where the second of our projects was held. We arrived at our eco lodge after walking up the run-way. When I say we were staying near an airport, the truth was we were ON THE RUNWAY, it also doubled as the pathway from village to beach. WOOP.
The first day involved us meeting with the hippy Spanish volunteer scientist geeks who gave us the low-down on what we would be doing over the next couple of days. We were involved in a number of hard tasks including preparing a space for a new hatchery for the baby turtles and improving and updating a bridge to the beach built by Harrow in 2007, finishing Harrow's dirty work.
Alongside the manual labour and skill needed during the day, in the evenings the team took part in night patrols, trooping along the beach in 4 hour slots, from 8 to 12 or the really lucky ones the lovely 12 till 4 slot. No matter what, the patrols were a once in a life time experience walking along the beach in the moonlight with the waves lapping at ones feet. HOWEVER TEAM 1 WERE UBER LUCKY AND BLESSED as they came across Gloria, of the Olive Ridley variety within the first hour of their patrol. Turtle numbers are low at the moment and for the patrol leader, David, this was his first turtle of the season, which runs from July to December. In true Prior's Field fashion, the turtle was named Gloria. For no reason at all other than we all liked it when we were screaming like girls (but silently so as not to disturb her laying 131, yes 131, little mini Gloriaettes; this was in fact a record egg fest). Yes we were all very very VERY excited to have this amazing magical experience and we tried not to be too smuggy McSmug when we got back.
The night followed with more excitment when the team was ATTACKED by not a CROC or a snake or a spider BUT A PUPPY with the energy levels of an energetic THING. The whole team ended up standing on the table wrapped in sleeping bags leaving GORDON alone to fend of the beast, battle wounds were acquired and EDU, the owner of the lodge had to come to the rescue.
In regards to our hard manual labour the team split into two groups working alternative shifts on the bridge and the hatchery. All at the turtle foundation were TRULY AND HONESTLY AMAZINGLY impressed with the sheer GIRL POWER Priors Field bring with them wherever they go.
Everyone was sad to leave the OSA area, considered to be one of the most underdeveloped and beautiful areas of Costa Rica, with many saying it is up to 20 years behind in the development stakes compared to the rest of Costa Rica. WE LOVE THE PURA VIDA way of life, having freshly caught fish and plantaine chips.
Currently in SAN JOSE, staying in a lovely CHILLED OUT HOSTEL with free tea and coffee, so everyone feels at home :). Tomorrow we are off for the last stage of our adventure with a ENERGY PACKED THREE DAYS including canopy tour, white water rafting, a couple of treks here and there and HOT SPRINGS in front of an active volcano, Its a really hard life on expedition.
Hugs and kisses to family and friends and looking forward to seeing you at the airport. NOT; we are all moving to COSTA RICA and opening up a TURTLE SANCTUARY- your all invited to come out and help save this species.
GOOD NIGHT, been on an 8 hour bus journey so Zzzzzz... are much needed.
ADIOS.
SCARF. GORDO. GGB. KEN KEN. WARDY.
Saturday 24 July 2010
DOLPHINS ARE THE MOST AMAZING ANIMALS IN THE WORLD
So we have limited time on the internet so this is going to be quick. These last 3 days of Rest and Relaxation have been amazing. Yesterday we went on A 4 hour boat ride to go dolphin watching in the Gulfo Dulce. It was insane. At least 100 dolphins playing with the boats and the waves the motor made, they are such show offs. All a little bit burnt, hats off to Charlotte who wins the prize of being the Most BURNT person probably in the whole of COSTA RICA. The end of the day included a trip to a croc bay, we got about 100 metres down the path and then ran.
NO TIME LEFT SO
ICE CREAM
DESERTED BEACHES
PALM TREES
CHARITY SHOPPING
PIZZA
GRINGO SPOTTING
Over and out off to turtles tomorrow.
Scarf. Watson. Walker.
NO TIME LEFT SO
ICE CREAM
DESERTED BEACHES
PALM TREES
CHARITY SHOPPING
PIZZA
GRINGO SPOTTING
Over and out off to turtles tomorrow.
Scarf. Watson. Walker.
Do I need to take my waterproof to the rainforest?
Greeting fellow englishmen and others. So we are currently in Puerto Jimenez in the south of Costa Rica in the Peninsula de Osa, claimed by the National Geographic to the most ecologically intense place on earth. Oh yes and it is Hot, Hot Hot. We returned from our trek 2 days ago. Due to weather issues consisting of heavy rain we had to alter our routes a little but it all ended a-okay. We stayed in a lovely Eco-lodge in La Tarde in the middle of THE ACUTAL rainforest. From there we took a number of day trek around the local area guided by our wonderful new friend George, not the dog. Day one consisted of a 4 hour morning trek in primary rainforest, {Treanor we have some impressive buttress roots for you}. We definitely felt like extras in King Kong. At the end of the trek we tried our hands at gold panning and surprisingly found very little. We were a little rusty.
Day 2 consisted of two treks. Morning trek involved taking back bag loads of oranges to then discover there was a reason green oranges are not sold in Waitrose. However, that did not dishearten the excitment for the afternoon trek. In one word it was AWESOME and AMAZING. Sorry that was two words, I could not help it. For many it was the highlight of the trek so far. We trekked down to a beautiful creek that could of been the postcard photograph. From there we waded through around 4km of river, our boots are still wet. I think there was a mutual feeling of ohhh.. I feel like Lara Croft.
Day 3 still feeling like Lara Croft we began on a beastly 7 hour trek, we again broke a record being only the second group to have the balls to venture on this epic journey. Trek included meeting a good friend one of the most poisonous snakes in the world, EVER, in the top 5, the Fleur de lance, a mere two metres away from us. Dont worry parents all of us remained remarkably calm, apart from Gordon who freaked. Other friends we met on the way included the poisonous arrow frog, toucan, spider monkeys, sloths, baby tarantulas, bats, owls and more. We also sampled the local beauties that is fresh coconut, and sugar cane. Yum Yum.
Day 4 involved a trek back to La Palma to return to Port Jim. Hats of to the team who walked like the chinese army it was done so fast.
Evening entertainment during the trek included dicussing food for at least 4 hours a day, parents if your child goes on about Wagamamas a lot when they get back number 47, 24, and 32 and 72 are all winners. Second to food book club is going strong, with Charlotte holding the record of 5 books in under 2 and a half weeks.{Lunnon, City of Thieves is a hit, and looking rather battered, but with love and lots of squished bugs}. Day 3 evening entertainment was an energetic game of WHOS IN THE BAG. I do believe the heat did affect our ability the come up with important historical dates and events, with 1066 reoccuring at least 7 times. Eiffel Tower also having at least 5 repeat shows.
Scarf, Watson, Gordo
Day 2 consisted of two treks. Morning trek involved taking back bag loads of oranges to then discover there was a reason green oranges are not sold in Waitrose. However, that did not dishearten the excitment for the afternoon trek. In one word it was AWESOME and AMAZING. Sorry that was two words, I could not help it. For many it was the highlight of the trek so far. We trekked down to a beautiful creek that could of been the postcard photograph. From there we waded through around 4km of river, our boots are still wet. I think there was a mutual feeling of ohhh.. I feel like Lara Croft.
Day 3 still feeling like Lara Croft we began on a beastly 7 hour trek, we again broke a record being only the second group to have the balls to venture on this epic journey. Trek included meeting a good friend one of the most poisonous snakes in the world, EVER, in the top 5, the Fleur de lance, a mere two metres away from us. Dont worry parents all of us remained remarkably calm, apart from Gordon who freaked. Other friends we met on the way included the poisonous arrow frog, toucan, spider monkeys, sloths, baby tarantulas, bats, owls and more. We also sampled the local beauties that is fresh coconut, and sugar cane. Yum Yum.
Day 4 involved a trek back to La Palma to return to Port Jim. Hats of to the team who walked like the chinese army it was done so fast.
Evening entertainment during the trek included dicussing food for at least 4 hours a day, parents if your child goes on about Wagamamas a lot when they get back number 47, 24, and 32 and 72 are all winners. Second to food book club is going strong, with Charlotte holding the record of 5 books in under 2 and a half weeks.{Lunnon, City of Thieves is a hit, and looking rather battered, but with love and lots of squished bugs}. Day 3 evening entertainment was an energetic game of WHOS IN THE BAG. I do believe the heat did affect our ability the come up with important historical dates and events, with 1066 reoccuring at least 7 times. Eiffel Tower also having at least 5 repeat shows.
Scarf, Watson, Gordo
Friday 16 July 2010
Do you know the way to San Jose?
PARTY-
On our last evening with the community we organised a goodbye and thank you party. The evening began with a play session with the locals kids, and our favorite little girl BELINDA and Juanita who had a little bird called Juan. As it got dark the party moved to the cuban doctor's house. The latino musica was pumping and the dancefloor, aka the porch was jam packed with locals dancing. A couple of our team members were rather embarrassed at first but after a while were forced into it and after a wee bit longer enjoyed it. Hats off to Hannah Scarf who won a dance battle against Hector and other unkown locals, her 'prize' was a dance with look a like Ronaldo. The locals wanted the party to go on for a lot longer than the tired team who needed to get up at 5 am the next morning for our 8 hour bus journey to San Jose.
So we said goodbye to the cuban doctor and his family, and our new friends in the village...especially the dogs.
At 5 am the next morning everybody was up to wave us off and we trudged along the road for 1km laiden with our heavy bags in order to catch our bus. Jorge Curioso tagged along with us as he is Luby's BFF. Some of the group were confident that he would find his way home by himself as he is a dog. However two near misses right in front of us of a car and a truck left us feeling less than confident that he would survive the homeward journey...
So the 8 and a half hour bus journey.
4 comatosed zombies
10 able bodied
enough said.
Arrived in San Jose at a bus station. Got the map out and started walking to the hostel. Little did we know that we navigated from the wrong bus station on the map. We ended up in the 'red zone'=danger
The welcoming sign seemed particularly ominous; Welcome to the Ghetto.
Then like an angel on a pick-up truck the nice man from the hostel Pangea randomly drove past and sorted out transport for us.
Hostel Pangea is quite frankly paradise, there are mattresses and palatial bathrooms and not only that, actual hot water. 10 burgers were ordered for the able bodied while the chunder monkeys had a simple snack with water.
Free internet and TV room topped the experience off and the 'pool' which is like a fish pond. You can tell we've got it pretty tough at the moment.
The chunder monkeys were put into quarrantine and the able bodied got up at 6 am to leave for Puerto Jimenez. Today is a travel day for them and rest for the CMs ready for our 4 day trek through the jungles of Costa Rica, lets hope we all make it back in one piece.
Over and out for the next wee while,
Moraes, Watson and Gordy
On our last evening with the community we organised a goodbye and thank you party. The evening began with a play session with the locals kids, and our favorite little girl BELINDA and Juanita who had a little bird called Juan. As it got dark the party moved to the cuban doctor's house. The latino musica was pumping and the dancefloor, aka the porch was jam packed with locals dancing. A couple of our team members were rather embarrassed at first but after a while were forced into it and after a wee bit longer enjoyed it. Hats off to Hannah Scarf who won a dance battle against Hector and other unkown locals, her 'prize' was a dance with look a like Ronaldo. The locals wanted the party to go on for a lot longer than the tired team who needed to get up at 5 am the next morning for our 8 hour bus journey to San Jose.
So we said goodbye to the cuban doctor and his family, and our new friends in the village...especially the dogs.
At 5 am the next morning everybody was up to wave us off and we trudged along the road for 1km laiden with our heavy bags in order to catch our bus. Jorge Curioso tagged along with us as he is Luby's BFF. Some of the group were confident that he would find his way home by himself as he is a dog. However two near misses right in front of us of a car and a truck left us feeling less than confident that he would survive the homeward journey...
So the 8 and a half hour bus journey.
4 comatosed zombies
10 able bodied
enough said.
Arrived in San Jose at a bus station. Got the map out and started walking to the hostel. Little did we know that we navigated from the wrong bus station on the map. We ended up in the 'red zone'=danger
The welcoming sign seemed particularly ominous; Welcome to the Ghetto.
Then like an angel on a pick-up truck the nice man from the hostel Pangea randomly drove past and sorted out transport for us.
Hostel Pangea is quite frankly paradise, there are mattresses and palatial bathrooms and not only that, actual hot water. 10 burgers were ordered for the able bodied while the chunder monkeys had a simple snack with water.
Free internet and TV room topped the experience off and the 'pool' which is like a fish pond. You can tell we've got it pretty tough at the moment.
The chunder monkeys were put into quarrantine and the able bodied got up at 6 am to leave for Puerto Jimenez. Today is a travel day for them and rest for the CMs ready for our 4 day trek through the jungles of Costa Rica, lets hope we all make it back in one piece.
Over and out for the next wee while,
Moraes, Watson and Gordy
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