Cloud Forest Monteverde.

This was about the most sun we got through the canopy...

There wasn't a single limb, branch, or even leaf that didn't have something else growing on it.

And while it doesn't generally rain here... EVERYTHING is wet all the time.

this was a TREE TRUNK at eye level...? see how wet everything is! amazing...

plants started IN THE TREES and sent roots down to the ground as they got older.

yes another good lunch... sardines!

with my honey!

Your average tree trunk?  I am not sure how the tree survives with so many other plants growing on it.

Flora

from Las Flores to Monteverde... Photos...

as you can see the roads were GREAT for a WHILE...

only a small land slide or two... or three... oh well I actually lost count!   there were so many!!!!

We stopped to ??? well ... to contribute to the natural resources...

So I was playing while I waited ... for Jerry to come back..

So take a close look.. because with only land slides to deal with ... I was ... OK..

So Consider this the Before / gravel road and see the next picture for the REST of the Story...

this is AFTER the gravel road..

blood shot eyes and the life drawn out of me...

this is why..

a gravel road that in this picture appears as no big deal ONLY BECAUSE THIS IS ONE OF THE FEW $%&^*(&*((*() PICTURES THAT CAME OUT 1/2 WAY FOCUSED...

another packed lunch...

we stopped the car to take this shot... coffee... coffee, bananas... plantains.. pretty plants for sell etc... you name it ... it was within eye shot.

By the grace of a higher power we finally made it to our next hotel...

Rain Forest... did I say RAIN???

Please read post from 8/4...  as it tells more of the story ... these are pictures to support previous post.

While this is NOT local cusine... it is my perfect travel lunch, for two... besides... a good, cheap, and low fat meal is perfect when you have had such an enjoyable time out in nature. 

While eating... we were joined by two locals..

While they were a little camera shy... you can see they were bright, LOUD, and playful couple..

It is amazing how good food is when you travel in third worlds.. the food is such a testiment to LOCAL...

a simple soup.. but the taste is beyond what you will find in most towns in the U. S.

ending with the colorful pattern of my new umbrella...

In the clouds...adding to previous post.

Most of our trips start with a ride in the sky.

prefaced but having drugs so not to get sick on the plane... which knock me out.

I'm only a decent traveler because I sleep most of the time I am in the air.

always followed by CROWDS... in the air port... this time waiting on customs.

Followed by more waiting, as in an area of the world you don't speak the language... you have to take time, check things out, read all the signs and pray... you get it all right.

But thus far... Jerry and I have gotten it all together nicely.  After finding our car company, and getting the GPS up and running... we made it to our hotel...

read more about it on previous post... these are just pictures to tell the REST of the story... as in  RAIN..

RAIN and wait... more RAIN...

life is too short to worry about a little water...

Besides... didn't your parents ever let you go play in the rain?

It was a warm rain and just as fun as when I was a kid...

I enjoy being a kid when I am on vacation!

This is the first hotel, Casa Conde... in San Jose.  it is better than the link I provided earlier.. as all places... Central and South America... only get better with age... this is shown true once again with this hotel...

please see post from 8/2... as more of the story is told there...