Travelling from Sydney to San Jose, Costa Rica was an adventure in itself. It took 40 hours including a half day in Santa Monica (L.A.) between flights. Our luggage was last off the plane in San Jose - we had started to worry but there was no need, all was OK.

Thanks to AL there was a seamless transfer to our hotel. After a much needed freshen …

After a hearty breakfast we set off on the winding road to Monteverde. The mountains and plantation scenery was made all the more interesting by William, our guide's commentary. The last 10km are still gravel roads - very bumpy - but that just adds to the sense of adventure.

After checking into our hotel we went for a walk on the hotel's Dry …

On the short drive to the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve it became clear that we were not going to see the reserve in its typically cloudy conditions. We were lucky to enjoy this special place in perfect sunshine.

We saw White-Faced Capuchin Monkeys swinging through the trees, and William was on hand to tell us all about the complex …

The transfer to Arenal was billed as the "ride of our lives" by William and indeed took us down some of the bumpiest roads in the country, and then onto a ferry for the last 30 minutes. It was great to see the volcano getting closer and closer and more spectacular as we crossed the lake. We could see smoke coming from the crater and even …

Up early for a paddle on the Penas Blancas river. A great way to explore the area in silence and at a gentle pace. As well as the many birds, we "Jesus Christ" lizards, Otters, Bats, a 3.5m long Crocodile (!!!) and a Sloth hanging lazily in a tree.

On arrival back at the hotel we were treated to a crazy five minutes. Two Toucans (and …

Driving around the volcano, we noticed it was throwing out even more smoke/ash, more than William had seen before too. It looked like a pyroclastic flow was coming towards us...but we still got out of the car to take photos and have a closer look. Eventually William uttered the probably frequently used "we'd better get our ash outta here …

To get to Aguila de Osa in Drake Bay we took two small planes, two cars and a speedboat. With just 30 minutes between flights we didn't have much time to play with, although there was live English football on TV in the San Jose departure lounge which despite the score was welcome news from our usual world.

It was great fun sitting behind the …

Before we even arrived in the Corcovado national park we had enjoyed a dramatic morning. Minutes after our speedboat had left the hotel we saw a dolphin chasing a fish - both jumping out of the water. One man was so impressed he jumped in to get a closer look (despite the guide's request for him to stay in the boat).

Then the approach to the …

Another speedboat ride another playful pod of dolphins, en route to Cano Island, 1.5 hours offshore from Drake Bay.

We enjoyed some great snorkeling with White-tipped Reef Sharks, Puffer fish, rays and a school of 100+ Bat fish.

Before lunch we hiked up to the top of the island to see the ancient ceremonial stone spheres.

After some time …