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02/14/2011

Today again a sign of life. By the romantic area in southern Colombia, we have broken through to the border. The roads were sometimes quite scruffy. The whole area is dominated by inaccessible mountains and deep valleys. We were warned by police to leave the Panamericana not, because here the FARC guerrillas have withdrawn.

Now we are billeted in Ecuador and have at Graham, an Australian, in Ibarra. Graham is a very great guy, he runs a nursery here and is always happy to visit and talk to.

Some day we will spend more here before we leave for Quito. Incidentally, the weather here is just 80 km away from the equator, not as bad as we had expected. We take the evening more often at times of the heating and at night we need our thick blankets. We are also in the mountains at almost 3000 meters. Later.

01/30/2011
After
have an exciting journey over the Cordillera Central, with almost 3000 meters in altitude, we stayed at a farm. The family was very nice and hospitable. The next morning we visited the coffee, cocoa, tangerine and banana plantations and have been blessed with abundant fruit. On the whole bunch of bananas, we will have to chew for a long time.

Now we are on the (link:. Hacienda Bambusa and spend a few days

27/01/2011

After a few days on the beautiful caribbean coast of Colombia, we have set out in the South up short. Bogota before we came today. In Zipaquira we have just looked at the largest salt cathedral in the world. A church in a salt mine, the size of the Cologne Cathedral - fantastic.

Colombia please us so much that we are a bit sad because we only have 3 weeks left residence. We could well stay here for 2 months. We are also looking forward to Ecuador and Peru in Lima awaiting the beginning of April our Kathi on us. The rest later ...

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21.11.2010 - 27.12.2010: From San José (Costa Rica) to Cartagena (Colombia)

25.11.2010 - simultaneously on the Caribbean coast

Fast with the departure of our daughter came back the rain. Another day we spent at the campsite in Belén and did some things in the budget, then we have left the central highland rainy quickly.

In Costa Rica raged this year, as in almost all Central American and South American countries, the worst rains for several decades. Again and again it came to road closures because the road was buried by soil or broken into. Also, we were not on this Sunday very far. The only link between San José and Puerto Limón was not passable. Even before the toll gate is jammed vehicles. Good riddance to our home wherever you go. We drove to a parking lot located next to the road to drink coffee in peace and to observe the situation. was not abolished as the roadblock to the darkness, we set ourselves for the night.

The next morning we were wedged between trucks, vans and many cars. The driver had the night, as well as he spent in their cars and enjoyed the coffee, which we offered our immediate neighbors. All had Our inventories are not enough. Some came to us several times to say thank you and throw the same again a look inside the hobby. "Bonito, muy bonito" we heard again and again. Then suddenly a new beginning. The vehicles on the road drove slowly and in the parking lot all ran after a volatile adoption, to their cars to come too quickly. We waited another half hour until the run was over, and were then able to accept without much traffic the route to Puerto Limon, Costa Rica's second largest city and main commercial center on the Caribbean coast, under the wheels.

The road was completed in 1988 on the Cordillera Central and through the Braulio Carillo National Park in the Caribbean coastal plain. This was not to overlook what is the main source of income in the region. On large sites along the road were the thousands of refrigerated containers to be filled with this great thriving banana. About the new container port in Moin, they are then exported around the world. The old port was bad since the earthquake on 22.04.1991 for large commercial vessels become inaccessible after the off-shore coral reef was lifted by 1.5 meters.

Residents Puerto Limón are a motley little people of European, Asian and African origin, by the railway construction, the end of the 19th Century, found work here. Ignored by San Jose, she lived a life away from the rest of society and until 1948 they were given full civil rights. Their descendants today do the low paid hard work in the banana plantations or eke out a work opportunity.

these circumstances it is owed, that Puerto Limon is one marked by crime and high unemployment Prostition dirty port city, which scarcely to linger invites. The mainly black-skinned people looked grimly at us begging or making gestures to us all, other than welcome. We had a tour of the city is not a good feeling and were glad when we had passed the last wretched huts on the outskirts of the city behind us. On the Caribbean coast we drove further south.

Shortly after Cahuita, one of the main tourist destinations on the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica, sits on the edge of the Cahuita National Park, an old cocoa plantation. Here we spent a whole day between tropical vegetation, animals observed paddling with a canoe to the sea and relaxed the pool. In the afternoon we met wool (Wolfgang), the German owner, who invited us spontaneously to his lodge in Puerto Viejo. We could stand with the camper under the palm trees, had water, electricity, and above all, a huge collection of books available where we could exchange our books read to them.

The Caribbean beach, just behind the lodge is only since the earthquake of 1991 present in today's width. Here the increase of the sea bed has a positive effect and the elevated coral reef had holds high waves and sharks. The whole coast from Puerto Viejo south was declared a nature reserve, with strict Building requirements and the prohibition of motor boats in coastal waters. Thus, here a typical Caribbean coastline obtained, which fascinated us every day.

One week we treated ourselves to be still on the natural campsite in Punta Uva, until it was time to continue on to Panama. We wanted time to ship before Christmas, our motor home to Colombia.

05/12/2010 - The islands' Bocas del Toro "

few kilometers separated us even from the border with Panama. We drove through a landscape dominated by banana production. On either side of the road stretched huge banana plantations, interspersed with small primitive settlements of the banana workers and some packaging stations. The banana is the only chance, he creates jobs and a living wage - but also many environmental and health problems. The banana plants leach from the soil so that it is after 8 to 10 years is no longer usable for several years and lie fallow. Thus, new areas needed the most by the Deforestation can be obtained. To increase the yield will be huge amounts, groundwater polluting, chemical fertilizers used. Even more critical is the extensive use of pesticides that are banned in Europe long ago. Increased infant mortality, many cancer and infertility in women and men are the price to pay for the banana workers - their wages on the other hand is a mere 10-14 U.S. $ a day. An amount with which one in Costa Rica can now survive.

left with these last impressions we Costa Rica and went on an adventurous journey over the old Railway bridge, which spans the border river Rio Sixaola. The bridge was crowded with people, they used the price differential between Costa Rica and Panama and bought all kinds of things in Panama. Cars we have not seen on the bridge and we were not sure whether the bridge for our mobile home is ever released. The border officials in Costa Rica we waved an impatient "Adelante, Adelante" through, and so we went slowly on with a slightly queasy feeling. Both sides of the old rails were laid loose planks, which were partially slip so that our front wheel would fit well in between. The pedestrian, with its large purchases, even Mattresses and car tires have been hauled over, had to adapt to the rickety railing press, to let us pass.

At the other end of the bridge the entry formalities for Panama were done. From the reports of other Globetrotter we knew that the entry clearance may be no fault to not to complicate the shipping process in Panama. After completing the immigration procedure, I went to a camper with all papers and compared with the entries Petra. How could it be otherwise, the engine number was wrong, a digit was missing. I went back and let the change Einreisepermit and the entry pass, but now was the second mistake. On the old cry machine that served the correction, pounded the official, even before I could react, instead of an S, a 5 in the document. He looked relaxed but with Tipp-Ex and a handwritten correction was all straightened. Now I would at least still have a stamp on the entry so that you could see that the Tipp-Ex correction was performed prior to stamping. But the overtaxed immigration officers as he pressed the stamp for the first time somewhere, but not corrected on the spot. In the end I had an entry in my passport at the customs and police in Panama City is only produced more head shaking.

just behind the border crossing we found ourselves in the midst of noisy traders, crowded bars and tailgating bargain hunters in the border town Guabito. We were glad to leave this place behind us quickly and drove towards Almirante. At least we thought until we had totally lost. No sign showed us the way to Panama and we lacked the GPS map. After a random walk, we were finally on the right road to Almirante, which led to many curves through a thick coastal forest and offered no possibility to stay and parking. Fortunately, the road was in good condition and we reached Almirante against clock 20:00. A helpful Passerby showed us the way to a hotel where we could stand over night - and asked for "A little tip please", use a small tip. We had experienced such a thing from Mexico to here and never were a bit surprised. It is in Panama but normal, expected that for every little assistance to tip or even require - at least by us tourists.

The next day we explored the islands of the archipelago, Bocas del Toro, located in the Bay of Almirante. Almirante brought us a water taxi to Bocas del Toro province capital, on Isla Colon. The place has a Caribbean flair. Wooden buildings with verandas and balconies line the streets, reminiscent of the old Southern architecture of the United States. Many homes are now owned by foreigners, including many Europeans who have with hotels, bars and restaurants an existence built up under the tropical sun. In Bocas we chartered a boat and sailed into it, in the Bahia de Almirante.

Columbus and his crew were the first Europeans who discovered the bay and in his honor Bahia de Almirante bay of the Admiral, called. Even today, Columbus is revered very much. In his notes he wrote: "... the bay ... had many islands and islets and three or four openings, which allowed the ships enter and quiet weiterzusegeln. Between these islands the ships went on a road like the sails and ropes and touched the branches of trees ... ". This description us going through his mind, as our small boat between the mostly uninhabited, with mangrove vegetation, islands went through. On some islands, we have created, bathed in the lapped by crystal clear water beaches and snorkeling at the coral reef. It was absolutely amazing, what colors is formed under water. Like a blooming rock garden, in which none the colorful fish that here, without fear swam around me and the perfect idyll made. It was a wonderful trip and Basko was satisfied, he could be the whole day.

We stayed another night in Almirante and drove the next morning after David, on the Pacific side, and from there in the rain at the Pan American Highway to Panama City.

12/10/2010 - organization is all led

In Panama City are our first way to Barwil-Shipping-Agencies. The parking lot in front of the business center was empty and after half an hour we knew why. It was Dia de la Madre - Mother's Day in Panama. It was raining again and we had no desire to go away again. The large car park we spent the night and next morning we were standing point in the office of Barwil clock 08:00.

Evelyn Batista, from many famous travel accounts, immediately took time for us and checked out the possibilities. We would like to convey our motor home with a ro-ro ship (roll-on roll-off) to Colombia, but would be the nearest vessel was already booked. We still do not know why, but Evelyn has provided us with much persuasive power of Lo-Lo-shipment (lift-on lift-off) is advised. Since we wanted to have everything done before Christmas we decided to have forced this option. Lo-Lo at the mobile home is on a 40 "platform (Flatrack) down and transported on the ship as the highest load.

was After an hour with the shipment of Haneburg, scheduled departure in Colon on 12/15/2010, booked, and we had a docket for the next few errands in the hand. The first stop was the PTJ, the Policia Tecnica Judicial (N 08 ° 57.951 'W 79 ° 32.674') in Panama City. The small parking lot of the technical police station looked a little neglected and marginalized directly to the slums of Curundú. The area is far from certain. During vehicle inspection, which took place very quickly and easily and is limited to the control of the chassis number or registration number, we heard shots. The official said it would be normal. There is always something in the slums, gang wars and murders.

We quickly left this part of the city. Our goal is the Miraflores locks of the Panama Canal were - but the channel was only operating as slowly again. The heavy rain of recent days had led to the channel had to be closed for the first time in its nearly 100-year history. The visibility was so limited that the ships could not safely enter the locks. On the way back we saw along the road to the French cemetery with thousands of small crosses for the victims of the canal construction. 75,000 workers were involved in the construction of canals and a third of his life was for this technical mammoth project. Especially in the first phase of French-led 20,000 workers died of yellow fever or malaria. The cost for the construction of the canal amounted to the U.S., which had taken over the channel after the failure of the French project, $ 427 million. Money well spent, considering that the ships are now paying up to $ 250,000 for a canal transit. For shipping companies, it is nevertheless the cheapest and fastest alternative, because the 30,000 mile circumnavigation of Cape Horn would cost many times more, not to mention the time savings.

Impressed by the human output volume and the technical dimension of the channel, we drove back to Panama City to perform our second date in the Secretaria General of the Policia National, near the PTJ, . This was confirmed in writing that the information on the import document our motorhome, we have no outstanding traffic fines and are not wanted by Interpol. That was ever calm.

This important paper, we are again driven to Barwil, have the vehicle shipped and get paid for the documents for the vehicle tax in Colon. The payment was in cash only. We had begun to withdraw money in time because we only U.S. $ 500 per day from cash machines were. With two credit cards, it was correspondingly faster. The next day Evelyn has yet booked our flights and Hotel Bella Vista in Cartagena. The flight booking was not without problems, because in mid-December in Panama and Colombia, the main holiday season begins. The flights were booked up as far as possible and very expensive. Only in a society it was possible Basko bring in his air box. It was a flight with a stopover in Bogotá, but we were sure that the 4-hour flight incl stay in Bogota Basko was reasonable - a big mistake, as it turned out later to be.

now it was Friday afternoon and we almost had it all together. Vehicle output in Colon on Monday, flying on Tuesday and scheduled abolition Haneburg on Wednesday - now we need only a veterinary examination for Basko. A veterinarian was quickly found and the investigation, it also is not a problem because Baskos documents are complete and all vaccinations were entered properly. The problem lay in the rules of the State of Panama. The investigation had to a government department to be confirmed - and that usually takes, including the mail delivery times, 5 working days. For far too long for our schedule. What now, there is no other solution? In Panama, can be regulated much money, and the young vet then had to instruct the idea of an agency that can confirm the document in a day. It really worked. On Monday afternoon, we were brought the yellow form from the government confirmed to the hotel and we paid $ 100 U.S. for this service. Emergencies are just being exploited. This was exactly the same way for the shipment.

This was only necessary because the Pan-American Highway between Panama and Colombia, is interrupted for a distance of about 100 km. For the Americans it was all right, that there was no road through the Darien and she is committed to ensuring that it remained so. It was believed to prevent, so the unhindered transport of drugs between South and Central America. Meanwhile, the almost inaccessible jungle of the Darien, the retreat of the guerrillas and a major drug corridor to Panama. The construction of the so-called Pan-American Highway through the Darien Gap is a distant memory. There is only the possibility, in the Atlantic or the Pacific side, to sail around the area. Since there are no ferries only transport is by cargo ship and the few reliable shipping companies require immoral prices. For the nearly 200 miles from Colon to Cartagena, we have paid almost exactly as much as for the shipment of Halifax Hamburg. It is the most expensive 200 km of our journey.

the days until the flight to Colombia, we spent the Hostal Amador (N 08 ° 56 960 'W 79 ° 33 332'), near the old town of Panama City. We could stand with the camper on the property and sleep after the car tax in the hostel. We felt very comfortable, the staff was nice and very helpful. In addition to preparing our motor home for sea transport among others we have a plywood partition between cab and living area built, we had enough time to explore the city.

Panama City is a modern cosmopolitan city and an international banking center. Eight of the ten biggest skyscrapers in Latin America are here, the shopping centers are almost greater than in North America and the Old Town is just breathed with great attention to detail new life. An all around beautiful city, there would not be neglected slums, the ghetto in Panama City, in the middle of the city. Not even during the day should be a tourist in the slums of El Chorrillo, Curundú and in the Distrito San Miguelito stop. In a taxi we saw the full extent of this desolate area. Unlike in other major cities of Central America, people do not live here in huts on the outskirts, but in dilapidated high-rises in the middle of the city. The sewage ran down the walls and it was bursting with dirt and decay. Those who live here certainly has little chance to get out from this milieu. Violence, crime and drugs dominate life in the slums and even the police patrol only at the margins of these areas. For us, this contrast between the lavish wealth and abject poverty in a tiny space very depressing and we wondered whether in fact these people have no perspective can be created.

13/12/2010 - Farewell in Colon

On Monday morning I was already against 07:00 clock on the way from Panama City (Pacific) to Colon (Atlantic). Petra remained Basko the Hostal. The journey was quite straightforward, although this road had suffered greatly from the rains of recent days and weeks. Whole sections were washed away and only temporarily restored. My first stop in Colon, the Office of Wilhelmsen Ships Service (S 09 ° 21 903 'W 79 ° 52 844') in the district Manzanillo. Here I got the Bill of Loading (BOL) and other shipping documents with the necessary copies. With these papers, I went to the Customs (N 09 ° 20 771 'W 79 ° 52 700'), where the car was removed from my passport, so that our hobby and I could leave the country on separate paths. Then even the ride to the port Cristóbal (N 09 ° 21 129 'W 79 ° 54 177').

Unfortunately, I had no GPS data and with the rough map of the agency, I moved me. I missed the branch at a fork in the road and was always coming on, in the critical districts of Colon. The slums of Panama City are already depressing But in Colon, everything is still hopeless. The whole city is threatened by deterioration. It is a big ghetto hardly habitable, rotten wooden houses. Young people were lounging around in groups on the streets and looked at me with hostility. In her eyes I saw hopelessness, but also a certain arrogance to me. I watched with my modern motorhome just not here. Then I made the mistake and turned because there were no signs, one in the wrong direction into a one-way street. How to get here just out of this? A friendly elderly man showed me the direction to the port. At the next corner again there was a young band, they blocked my way. I slowly drove - now just do not stop here. Then I heard a blow from behind the motorhome. Only at the harbor I saw the reason, the guys have shot stones at the mobile home and one had taken the back wall. I was angry but also glad that there has not been worse.

The delivery of the mobile home in port then ran off quite professionally. It was surveyed and recorded every detail of everything, from the smallest scratch to the lack of cigarette lighter, in a log. After two more vehicle inspections had been completed then well enough different protocols with the same content. I was sent by little window to small window, and each the nice ladies missed my shipping documents a different stamp. I had then given up trying to understand the meaning of the bureaucratic process. And then it was time to say goodbye to our rolling home. I had him in a hall off the port area and was thus the loading on the platform, unfortunately, not self-monitor. Our ship, the Haneburg should be on Friday, leaving two days late in Colon. I could only hope that is caused when parking and when clamping the motor home on the platform no damage. Outside the port entrance of the express bus drove off to Panama City, and after 2 hours I was with Petra and Basko the Hostal.

14/12/2010 - Flight with obstacles

As the taxi driver and we had also opened an additional half hour we were on time at the international airport of Panama City. Basko was quite calm in his air box and watched the hustle and bustle around him with calmness. His tranquilizers slowly began to work.

at check-in then first surprise. "You have no onward ticket, we can not transport them," was the laconic statement of the somewhat haughty employee of the airline. "You are welcome to book with us onward ticket. That was the last thing we wanted. The supervisor of the check-in was much more pleasant to be around. We explained to her that we will leave our motorhome from Colombia, it showed the shipping documents for the shipment and reported briefly on our trip from Alaska to Tierra del Fuego. Quite quickly the young woman had made their decision and instructed her staff to check us. Basko came with his box to the baggage claim and before we knew it was gone on the slide, between the other pieces of luggage.

About 30 minutes late in Panama and a further 3 hours in Bogotá, we have overlooked. There was only a concern if Baskos act nor tranquilizers. Finally we landed in Cartagena, stood at the baggage carousel and waited for our luggage and our Basko. The transport workers to our question about shook Basko, only the head. A dog would not have been on board. We waited patiently until the last piece of luggage was on the tape. Several case always came back later, they were obviously in the wrong plane, but had at least five passengers without checked luggage - and we belonged to it. Basko and our bag was found. For the airline, the service in the completion of a depleted loss protocol, but concrete information I expected and demanded of the staff to investigate where our Basko was forgotten. After several calls, he came back with the information that Basko is still in Bogotá and in the morning is the first machine to Cartagena and brought us to the hotel.

It was a sleepless night and we have suffered with our Basko, the lonely in Bogotá on any of the baggage car had to spend a cold night. The next morning we called almost every hour at the airport. The son of the restaurant operator said some German and helped us with our calls. We felt led us around by the nose, because with every call we got to hear another excuse. Then, after 12:00 clock, Basko had arrived in Cartagena and again we had the assurance that he will be in no later than one hour to the hotel. At 02:00 clock we pulled out of patience.

We drove to the airport, rushed past the security guard who tried to stop us in vain in baggage handling and there made our anger properly Air. That no one understood us, because we have cursed in German, was secondary. The employees and especially the head of the claims offices, the verschaukelt us half the day had were intimidated, frightened and visibly. Our Basko was taken, but he was happy only act on the reunion with us. He certainly had not understood why we have him locked up for almost 24 hours in the box and were gone. We also think that he was in this period with neither food nor water supplies. Petra was overjoyed, but I am still angry. As a small satisfaction I have recovered the full fare for Basko and because of my stubbornness also obtained. Meanwhile our Basko had also recovered from the strains. He was healthy and alert as ever.

That was again went well. But what we will experience in the port of Cartagena?

23.12.2010 - We are complete again

To make it short, it was with picked up our motorhome from the port of Cartagena no problems, apart times of the circumstance as that the ship only arrived on Wednesday, 22.12.2010, ie almost a week late, in Cartagena. In Panama, we were aware of the Agency receive a checklist for vehicle pick-up. 11 points had to work to contact many different departments and organize the import of the mobile home to Customs. We have chosen this time for the Easy Way, the easy way out, and Manfred Alwardt charged. Manfred is a German who has lived 25 years in Cartagena and operates an agency. And Manfred is an original, a little getting used to, but an absolute rascal. He knows all the tricks of the trade. After nearly 5 hours we had the motorhome out of the harbor and out in Colombia introduced regularly. We met other travelers for the same process required 2 days and more. We have also saved more powerful at the port charges. So, Manfred was absolutely worth the money.

afternoon on the 12/23/2010, the day before Christmas, we were complete again. We cleaned our rooms and slept the first night back in your own bed - what a treat. Now we also had the peace of us to reflect on the upcoming Christmas. The successful passage to South America this year was our joint Christmas present.

Christmas Eve we spent at the invitation of the owner of the Hotel Bella Vista. As usual in Colombia, celebrated Christmas with family and friends. By 22:00 I was clock Christmas menu served. Poultry, pork and beef, meatloaf, salads and side dishes were put on the table, a dessert rounded out the feast, and then rang Latin American rhythms. It was only around midnight, all wished Feliz Navidad - Merry Christmas and exchanged gifts. It was for us, totally unexpected, a little attention here.

The next day we used to make our hobby again and ready to explore the fabulous beautiful colonial city of Cartagena. Some say it was the most beautiful city in South America, the highlight of Colombia, it is but sure. By a thick fortress walls surrounded, which was built after the attack of the pirates with Francis Drake, the old town looks like 300 years ago. Colorful facades stilted, balcony railings, entrance gates made of solid wood with wrought iron fittings - were at each corner of the old town to visit it interesting. The churches looked like they were decorated with icing. In the narrow cobblestone streets pushed their carts to the nearest fruit vendor customers and countless street vendors roamed the old city. They offered all sorts of, fruit juice, cotton candy, chips, and especially Tinto, the strong black coffee. We fell in Cartagena and left the city only reluctantly, but Colombia has so much to see and our visa is valid for only 60 days.

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Here is our latest report in the travel magazine "hobby today,"

Want to read the report in the original, which can order the great travel magazine hobby today "on the hobby website as a sample copy (title is linked) and then subscribe for free with the coupon in the booklet.

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11.05.2010 - 20.11. 2010: With Kathy by Costa Rica

06.11.2010 - rain, coffee and an invisible volcano

On our trip to San Jose as it poured from buckets. Fields and meadows, but also many villages were flooded and roads were buried by landslides in several places. With heavy technology at least one lane was pushed free, so that traffic could roll again.

came out with plenty of late We in the afternoon on which, to the airport, lying in camp at Belén - but again, everything was under water. The large car park of a hotel we found the right place for the first night with our daughter. Shortly after the text message came from Catherine, she had landed on time in San José. After a few minutes we were at the Aeroporto and looked forward to the reunion. Basko also felt that before was something extraordinary. He was excited, and then as Kathi came through the gate, he was no longer tenable. Before we could stop it, he jumped out of the motor home, ran to our daughter and welcomed them in his own way. He jumped again and again and was curious Sounds of joy from him. The other passengers were amused by this spectacle and Basko was the main character. We were at least as happy as Basko and looked forward to the days together.

The first joint night is always special. Kathi had again some delicacies, an important spare parts for our air suspension and ordered the road maps and travel guides for South America brought with him. was seen as everything was still told to keep open their eyes could no longer Kathi. The next morning we were early on the legs, the sun had awakened us and promised a beautiful day. Kathi had no problems with jet lag and could not wait to start our little tour. The first path led us to a large supermarket in Alajuela, where we are spending spree for the next few days with food. Such a joint purchasing is always an interesting introduction to a foreign country. The product range had little to be desired, especially in the fruit and vegetable section, there was always something new to discover.

started after the first breakfast together, we Poas Volcano. The winding road led through vast coffee plantations uphill. Coffee grows on the volcanic soils here and the prevailing Climate on food. He is the most important export product for the region. A coffee plantation invited to tour, so we stopped the ride and learned a lot about the coffee cultivation.

The coffee plant is a very delicate little plant, which needs a stable climate without temperature extremes. The varieties grown here Arabica thrives best in between 600m and 1200 m, at temperatures between 18 and 25 degrees Celsius. The rainfall is as important as the right soil conditions. After a maturing time of 6 - 8 months starting in September, the coffee harvest. From every bush, only the red fruits are picked and this process is repeated several times. The crop takes up to 12 weeks. This monotonous and poorly paid work is done to 95% of pickers from Nicaragua and Panama. After the mechanical peeling and drying the coffee beans that are sold primarily to North America and Europe, and roasted on site. The best coffee is exported, only the poor will remain in Costa Rica. A sad fact for a traditional coffee-growing country.

attempted After a long coffee tasting of all quality levels and tastes, we have our luck at Poas Volcano, unfortunately without success. The National Park was closed Since 16:00 clock and there was also no parking for the night. A few kilometers down the valley was the restaurant Mirador. After dinner, we asked the owner if we could spend the night outside the restaurant. He had a better idea and invited us to stay in the garden of his house. Despite the wind-protected location in the village shook and pulled an emerging storm all night on the mobile and the rain lashed from all sides. In the morning the storm had calmed down, some sunshine encouraged us in the hope of good visibility.

Even before the opening of the national park we were standing at the ticket booth and were then disappointed right when the park rancher told us that the volcano crater was completely covered with clouds. We had hoped that the clouds dissolve, but after a three-hour hike in the national park we have, through wet and frozen, abandoned. The famous crater of Poas Volcano remained hidden from us in the fog and invisible.

11/08/2010 - Volcano and Lake Arenal

the afternoon of cloudy and rainy day we used to go to La Fortuna and the nearby Arenal Volcano. After the steep descent from Poas, we drove north on the leading Road 9 to San Miguel, where the term street is a very positive exaggeration. The first 25 miles to the turnoff was a dirt road worst - dirty, muddy, often flooded by water. We watched with concern that we have only four-wheel-drive vehicles came to meet and hoped that the condition of the runway does not deteriorate further and put us not to stay. As the trail went downhill reversing was no real alternative. In San Miguel we took a load off the heart, from here the road was paved and we did it before nightfall to La Fortuna.

few miles beyond the place at The foot of the Arenal volcano, we found next to the Tourist Information a nice pitch and taught us for the night. The Arenal volcano is now the most active volcano in the country, although up to his first ascent in 1937, believed not even to a volcanic origin of the then completely overgrown mountain. On 29 July 1968 broke the Arenal with a huge explosion and has since been permanently active. With short breaks, he repeatedly raises from glowing rocks and lava flows on the slopes of the volcano to the valley and cold. Some days, this show is to watch several times. We believed, however, not because we get to see an outbreak. On the night we heard the Grumbling and rumbling of the volcano. Immediately we were wide awake, jumped out of bed, put the camera in a tripod position, and - once again saw nothing. The volcano was hidden behind a thick cloud cover, only a slight reddish glow came through the clouds, or had we been disappointed. We waited a while and then put us to sleep a little disappointed. The next day, the nocturnal outburst was confirmed by the tourist office.

The morning brought in a hot bath river water of the Rio Arenal us the refreshment, which we would have liked to almost 30 degrees Celsius air temperature. Pleasant was it anyway, in which to lie with boulders accumulated water pool and feel the soothing effects of warm water. On the beautifully situated lakeside road then we rolled around noon to Nuevo Arenal. The road led us past beautiful lodges and elegant hotel. Many emigrants has here created his little paradise. Most impressive is the Hotel Los Heroes, with a bit of Switzerland was taken to Lake Arenal. Hotel and restaurant are lacking typical Swiss chalets, and neither the original nor a mountain cows mountain railway. Once

in Nuevo Arenal we spent two quiet days on which we have known place, right on the lake shore. In the morning we were awakened by howler monkeys and were lucky, a whole troop of monkeys in the trees on the lake can be observed. Two of sloth, a toucan and many coatis us came before the lens. The Arenalregion for us is the most beautiful area in all of Costa Rica.

11.11.2010 - On the Nicoya Peninsula

Our trip took us to the Pacific coast to the northern shore of Lake Arenal around to Cañas on the Panamerican Highway and on to Liberia. From here it was not far to the Nicoya Peninsula and its Pacific beaches. On the north of the peninsula is Playa Panama, a small village with a quiet but not very attractive beach. What we are still regarded as a particular case met us with a few exceptions, all along the coast of the peninsula unkempt, with driftwood and garbage polluted beaches and dirty water. Many rivers and streams pour broth into a foaming sea, so we passed up swimming in the Pacific at most beaches.

Even at Playa Grande, one of the most important nesting sites of the leatherback turtles on the Pacific is their path to the beach through piles of driftwood blocked. Up to 180 Females of this world's largest turtle species were already observed at the same time laying eggs on this beach. 1991 Playa Grande as a Marine National Park Las Baulas. Since then, we must at night only with a guide for observation on the beach. With U.S. $ 25 this is not a very cheap thing, and then the disappointment was great for most visitors. Only one leatherback turtle came ashore tortured over the barrier of driftwood and buried her eggs in the soft sand. Several groups of tourists were out for a brief moment in the vicinity of the turtle, only to quickly make the next group space. We had the impression that it less about animal welfare rather than went to commercial. A similar impression we had in other reserves and national parks. For the night tour at the turtle beach, we had paid as much as a National Park Annual Pass in the U.S. for up to 5 people. We were glad that we had advance notice of other tourists and decided against the Centre. Many marine biologists also warn against these things to recommend to disturb at all the animals in their eggs.

Then it was run down to Playa Samara, another tourist center on the west coast, but again the beach and the water is dirty, the place seemed a bit and uninviting. In the evening stroll, we found a car rental and reserved us for the next day a small off-roader. The southwest of the island is still original, some of them very poor and without proper roads - there are only tracks with a lot of mud. Here our Suzuki felt really comfortable. Even with the water crossings of small rivers, he made a good impression. On the Rio Ario was but then last stop for us. Here we had no chance, even horses were up to their bellies in the water. We turned around and drove back on a dry runway. It was a great trip, only Petra complained about the hard suspension of the small Suzuki. You can not have everything.

14.11.2010 - Monte Verde and Cerro de la Muerte

over the large bridge at Puerto Moreno, we drove back to the mainland and then on the Panamerican Highway south to Rancho Grande. Here the road branches off to the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve. Shortly after the junction we have read two backpackers who were with her big Kraxen on the road. If you think this type of travel would be reserved only for young people, is wrong a lot. The two Belgians were together 141 years old (66 and 75). Every year they travel in this way another Area and this time it was Central America. The interesting conversation with the two gentlemen we shortened the trip over the steep gravel road to the nature reserve. This track has had to be quite good, although this turned out several cars with tire damage. A German tour group was waiting for a replacement bus after two tires were cracked within 5 minutes. Many other approaches to national parks and other natural attractions are only cope with four-wheel vehicles and thus inaccessible to our Ford Transit.

The next day we stood at the entrance point 08:00 clock, every day, because only a limited number of tickets sold be. The private reserve of Monte Verde is the best known and most visited Costa Rica - but this morning was a little busy. We had the park almost to ourselves. The cloud forest reserve is located right on the Continental Divide, it will affect climate from the Atlantic and from the Pacific side. Drastic Klimaumschwünge is not a rarity and the high rainfall and humidity favor a unique flora, ranging from orchids and bromeliads to various climbing plants, ferns and mosses. Hardly a tree is not completely covered with moss.

On a well-marked path is the nature reserve hiked, have crossed rivers and waterfalls and are run on a suspension bridge through the treetops. Unfortunately, we saw the many birds residing here, mammals and reptiles, very little. Most of the animals we have seen in Costa Rica outside of national parks and nature reserves. Nevertheless, Monte Verde was a great experience.

About Puntarenas we drove the coast road 34 and then go south. The Pacific coast was something cleaner. We spent 2 days in Playa Herradura, Dominical before we left for the Pacific coast and the steep winding road to San Isidro turned off the.

In San Isidro de El General, as the place is right, we met again at the Pan-American Highway, which reaches the stretch to Cartago at 3300 meters at its highest point. Beside the road is the Cerro de la Muerte, the height of death. The term dates from the time when the pass with ox carts crossed up here and many people froze to death or died of exhaustion. Even today it is in the dense fog often result in serious accidents, so the name still has its place.

The peak offered us a fantastic view. The peaks of the Cordillera de Talamanca were garnished by a loose cloud cover in the north-east spit of the active volcano Turrialba thick clouds of smoke and in the west we saw behind a haze of the Pacific. Only a short while we could enjoy the panorama, then came the wind and everything fell into dense clouds.

18/11/2010 - Irazu volcano and farewell

went from the highest point of the Panamericana is 2000 meters downhill to Cartago, Irazu the small town at the foot of the volcano. Cartagos main attraction is the Basilica de Nuestra Senora de Los Angeles. It was built in 1926 and is the most important pilgrimage site in the country. Across the country, Panama and Nicaragua are the pilgrims who pass through then humbly on his knees sliding the whole Church and in some cases the church courtyard to get to the altar with the statue of the little dark-skinned Virgin.

It was interesting to see how not only old people, but also teenagers through the church slipped at the altar then stood up, her earphones contracted the disease of the MP3 player and embraced by her partner left the church .

Cartago begins just behind the ramp the volcano. It went up again a height of 2,000 feet, until we, in dense fog, before the entrance to the park stood. Today we wanted to do something clever. We gave ourselves a time limit of three hours and were waiting outside the entrance. Everything was in the thick haze, the visibility was only about 20 meters. Kathi asked sadly: "Do we have no luck again?" Suddenly the clouds broke, within minutes the sky was blue and the sun was shining. We paid and headed to the large parking lot. At an altitude of 3432 meters of the volcanic crater was impressive before us. The almost round main crater has a diameter of about 1000 meters. On the ground, in 300 meters depth, it had a small green crater lake formed. The time was just enough to run around the crater and some pictures to shoot, as a new fog and clouds all subsequent re-transformed into an impenetrable laundry.

Our final aim was to campsite in Belén, where we spent one last day together with our daughter. The next morning it was said good-bye. For a long time we are only the memories of this joint two weeks left holidays.

My 21st Birthday Poem

A romantic stroll through the Prince Pückler Park in Bad Muskau

Bad Muskau already been appointed spa 1823 and is inextricably linked with the name Prince of Pückler. we entered the park through the wrought iron gate. It can be reached via the promenade along the Neisse River to the entrance.

The park is a nature park that was created by man. If you walk through the park, whose paths extend over 27 km will be one new, views of trees, bridges, buildings pavilions and free. The greater part of the park is 344 ha in Poland and in Germany are about 210 ha of Pückler Prince Hermann, who was an eccentric who floated an extended living room with the park as an idealized nature before. In 1845 the prince, however, was out of money, so he had to sell the castle and park. Unfortunately he could not be realized by all. During the Second World War destroyed many things.

The new lock has already been largely restored and rebuilt. In some rooms on the first floor and ground floor contains a remarkable permanent exhibition of the princes. We learned a lot about his love life, his ideas about garden design and many of his great journeys. With the ticket we got a prince Pückler coin. Thus, we received the "automatic love letter" a love letter, à la Prince Pückler Print. Before it went through the park, we climbed up the steps to the lookout tower. From here we enjoyed a fantastic view over the park and the roofs of the castle.

How many miles we walked, we can only guess. We think that it was now about 20 kilometers.

On this bank, we could be seen and experienced once again work on us. Two unforgettable days that we always keep in your memory.

Best regards

heidi