1. The waterfall
Day 77. I had surprisingly good sleep in a shitty place. But I was rudely woken up by very loud birds. Before the sunrise! How inconsiderate! Anyway, not too much to do here just pack up and go. It was really stormy last night and there is lots of water and mud everywhere.
I leave quickly and I am on the road at 0630. Getting up earlier and earlier. I have to put stop to that nonsense. Nobody on the road. I quickly get on the main road leading towards the border which is 60 km away. I get gas and I pay cash to get rid of the rest of my NIC currency. Nice road and nobody on it, again. Except migrants. Groups of 2, 3, families, with kids. All young people. And from I’ve been told, mostly from Venezuela. That country will have a huge problem in the future with no work force. There are literarily hundreds of them today. It is one way to see a quick shot on TV and another one to see it with your own eyes. Again, the scale of this problem is mindboggling.
Soon enough I see the border ahead. I think I am ready, so lets do it. It is 0715 in the morning. First check went ok and within minutes I was parked in front of Nicaragua offices. Got inside of very new and modern building with AC inside! OMG, this feels so good. There is 85% humidity and and 32˚C outside already. There is no other passengers inside. My plan is working … Passport control went VERY smooth. $3 charge. Then Customs. Oh boy, the customs lady got up on the wrong side of the bed today and starts to boss me around. I filled out some more papers, they checked my bags then I had to take them ALL inside to scan them. All was good and I am out of there. 40’ … ! I was ready for way more drama.
Now Costa Rica. I am directed to a fumigation station. I have to wait 20’ for somebody to show up. Then they spray the underside of my bike with some toxic crap. I was laughing my lungs out. Don’t even want to know what it was. But the bike works so that’s what is important. Off to do the paperwork. Passport control went OK. But I had to stand outside in line for about 30’ and I am literarily dripping sweat. Disgusting. Done, I have the stamp in my passport. Now I have to get a mandatory bike insurance before I can get the Import Permit. Done in 10’ and costs $40. Back to get my Permit. Another 10’. This guys is actually happy and we joke back and forth. Then we go out and he checks the bike. Actually, he only wants me too open my rear case and only glances inside. Done. 1:55 even with those delays at the spray booth. I am crushing those borders! 3/5 done.
Welcome to Costa Rica. There is a VERY noticeable difference between those two countries right away. Mores stores full of goods, supermarkets, shops, nice houses and lots of cars. Amazing what difference a line on the ground can make. It is super hot and muggy. The humidity is killing me. I have about 100 km to cover. There are some REALLY nice houses along the the way. The issue again is, that I am way too early for my hotel. Actually, it is a full 2 bdrm house today. I have nothing else to do so I keep going. I get there by 1100. I found the owner . and she said no problem, I can get it. Nice. And there is an AC in the bedroom, so I cranked it down to 17˚C … Aaaaah, it feels good. The night costs $40USD.
I see that the clouds are getting darker again and I have to make some hard choices. It is between food and a hike to a waterfall. My last meal was a dinner 2 days ago if I don’t count cookies last night. I am hungry but I have my priorities. I quickly pack my speedos and my Nikon (bad visuals, I know) and I am on my way to the falls. Only about 10’ but I still manage to take a wrong turn. But no problem and I am there in now time. It is very touristy place judging by number of cars and tour buses. Pay the entrance fee of $8 and hit the steps. There are many of them leading to the bottom of the valley. You are in a path in the middle of thick jungle. Very cool. I like jungle. It is alive and unbelievably loud. Birds, monkeys, and I don’t even want to know what else lives there. Soon, I can see the falls among the trees. Looks impressive. I get down and I am surrounded by at least a hundred of my best friends. Too many people for my taste, but nothing I can do about it. I start taking pictures for me and other people. Then it is time to swim. Perfect temperature, very refreshing. There are bunch of young “influencers” posing for the perfect pics. I love nothing more then getting into their shots! I hang around for a while, take more pics and it is time to hike back up. I can hear the thunder so I hope to get home without getting wet. I made it, but just. A big T-storm with lots of thunder and lightning. But it quickly run away and it is just drizzling now. I NEED to get some food. But I need to get some local money first. No problem in the bank. Off to the supermarket. They have whole BBQ chicken and I am hungry. Few beers and I am set.
Now I need to work on my pics and update my blog. Sitting on the porch outside facing the nearby volcano in the sunset. Very cool. I have no idea where I end up tomorrow. There is one place I want to visit on the way, I should have very cool pics from there. But you need to wait for tomorrow’s edition.
Cheers