We're up early for a beautiful breakfast then off for our long van ride to San Carlos. We stop at a roadside fruit stand and have fresh coconut water right out of the coconut---not something I can get in Maine on a regular basis! I admit it, I also bought a whole watermelon (my favorite fruit) and very strange looking candy for the ride.
A policeman with an AK 47 makes sure our bathroom stop along the way is safe for us. It seems a little ironic. Somehow here you just go along with the occasional thing that at home would make you run for the hills.
We have amazing whole grilled fish for lunch in San Carlos and meet our boat on the Rio San Juan. We hit a bad rainy patch and cover up entirely in blue plastic slickers held even over our faces to stop the torrent of rain from hitting us but we still manage to see 3 kinds of monkeys, many birds and a sloth!
Andy and Hope amuse themselves by trading sightings of things they claim to see on the river that the other one missed including a gorilla in the mist and a mermaid. We also decide we need nicknames for ourselves on the trip and I somehow become the Laughing Falcon which is a bird with a big blonde head. Hard to argue with that one I suppose.
The Holiday of Purisima is still underway when we arrive at El Castillo and everyone in the town walks to visit the shrine set up by one family where candy is given to the children so we walk up and watch the action. We don't exactly blend in, but everyone treats us warmly.
Adventure Life has been an extraordinary travel resource for us over the years and today was no exception. Our River Cruise booking was handled by Jess (who has been our personal trip planner for several years) the same day as our inquiry. Suggestions were given for cabin choice and pre-trip options (that were not shown on the cruise line's website) like airport transfers and prepaid gratuities. Trip insurance recommendations followed and we were assigned a travel co-ordinator till the end of the tour. All we have to do is show up! Great service from friendly folks.
APtravelwell
1 day ago
My representative Kevin was very responsive generally and in crafting our itinerary to our specific priorities.
Rocco Labella
1 day ago
Although there was a lot of paper work, I received help and guidance when I needed it.
Donna Kirby
2 days ago
Our travel was flawless! The rider pickup (airport, hotel, ship) was seamless. Jane's recommendation for Emerald Cruise Sakara was everything I wanted but the experience was soooo much more. Adventure Life took care of each and every detail and this was the easiest of all my travels.
Anne Petty
3 days ago
Follow up was effective any questions were answered in a timely manner