"On the Buses"

24^th July -

I have to say this was a day I was not looking forward to. This was travel day and we had to leave our, erm, watery paradise of La Fortuna in the North West of Costa Rica and travel to Ostional in the South. And when I say “travel” I mean a long, arduous and hectic slog through the heart of the country in order to reach our community group project. This would entail five buses and a hell of a lot of dashing around, but, like a good Hollywood movie, this one has a happy ending.

The day started with yet another display of La Fortuna’s ability to lash more rain down on us than is usually seen at Wimbledon Centre Court. The 04:30 rise to ensure the troops were plied with enough porridge to brave the day ahead was doing little to brighten my mood as it was, so the prospect of packing away my tent and kit in order to be ready for the 07:30 march to the Bus Station made me blacken like the skies above me; I also couldn’t find the coffee. Grr..

Anyway, like a well drilled marine corps we ate, packed and strode off with purpose to get our first bus to Tillaran at 08:30. The rain had, by this time, somewhat abated. Thank Goodness.  The group loaded up with supplies from the “Supermarcado” and loaded up the kit on board. I have to say that the buses so far had been comfortable and spacious and certainly preferable to the Megabus journey we had endured from Teesside to London - which now seems a lifetime ago.

This area of Costa Rica is beautiful it has to be said: the cloud spewing forth from the top of the mountain like a witch’s cauldron, the lush green vegetation and the expanse of lakes (which do look a little like a Scottish Loch, I have to say!). It does have six months of rain though and we had arrived in the middle of this season, so the prospect of the warmer southern climes was a vision to cling to throughout the day.

The first journey to Tilaran was fairly uneventful and the two hours were passed in relative quiet by the Billingham gang as they dozed, read or laughed at the photos they had took over the last few days. A half hours wait in Tilaran which was akin to the Easington Services on the A19, except with more stray dogs, and we were on the way to Canas. Here we leaped off the bus and lumped our bags more or less straight onto the connecting chariot to Liberia. It was at this point that the need to lift the backpacks over the automatic people counter whilst loading up saw me turn into an Olympic weightlifter as I heaved and lifted bags to a cheery Cliff, whilst he laughed at my discomfort. I knew I shouldn’t have come here with a makem...

The next stop was Liberia. Now this was an experience. As soon as we arrived the atmosphere was less Caribbean and more wild west. It’s difficult to say what it was, but you felt the need to be on your guard here. Thankfully little of note occurred except the driver of this bus deciding our bags now cost $1 per item extra for the privilege of using his boot. A bit of a scam, but we had little choice and coughed up. We loaded up again and packed onto a fairly “full” bus and I have to say it was a relief to get the hell out of Dodge and onward to Santa Cruz.

The President was visiting Santa Cruz when we disembarked after another hour and half of humid travelling, which was nice of her, but I didn’t feel we needed such a grand welcome despite the long journey... Here we met Emilio our contact for the Project Phase and he and his compatriot Gilbert (pronounced “Heelbair”) loaded up the dreaded bags onto vans before pointing us towards our final bus. And here is where it got interesting...

This was the final bus out of Santa Cruz and to Ostional and they pack them in tight here. So in scenes reminiscent of an old fashioned football terrace we set off on an American School Bus style wagon and started the final leg. Now despite the slight worsening of the quality of the vehicles, the roads remained fairly similar – before we hit the dirt track that would take us home. By this time it was about 17:30 and the dark hits quickly here. The bus rattled, groaned and shook along the never ending track in the dark and it felt like we were aboard an army aircraft carrier about to drop troops into ‘Nam. Speaking to the person next to you was almost impossible such was the vibrations from the windows and suspension system. We passed through Marbella (no carbs before marbs!) and continued deep into the south.

Finally to our right we saw the glistening of the moon on the Pacific Ocean and we knew we were close to home. With a final push through the dark we pulled up outside our project with Emilio grinning and ready to welcome us. We are housed in a picturesque hostel right on the Ocean – finally a bed! We met another World Challenge team from Sunderland (booooo!!) and ate a welcome tea of pasta and rice. A tired team had one final surprise – a late walk along the beach with experts to see a turtle lay its eggs! This was possibly one of the most amazing sights I have ever seen – and one I’d need another 1,000 words to describe, which I probably don’t have here!

We have had an amazing day, but a very long one. I can’t wait for the project to start.

Mr A. Taggart.

Cerro Chato in the Couds

23^rd July

This morning was very much the same as the day before (Ed. but maybe 2 hours earlier :-(), we all woke up early and we had porridge and eggy bread for breakfast, the ground was very muddy as it had been raining most of the night. But when we woke up the sun was shining and it was a very hot and humid morning.

As everyone was getting ready for the day ahead, I was worried about the Cerro Chato trek, being so far away from home had hit me and I didn’t feel like I could do anything, even simply walking seemed like a hard task for me.

 As we set off I was convinced that I wouldn’t be able to make it to the top. The first 3km seemed tough the day before so I was dreading doing the same walk again, especially because today seemed considerably warmer, and we knew it was a much longer and harder walk. The whole way to the entrance of the waterfall where we went yesterday I didn’t believe in myself, but with everyone’s support, especially Taggart staying with me the whole way and telling me I could do it. I probably got to the end because he bribed me with fanta and werthers originalsJ

As we reached the entrance we all sat down and we ate half of our dinner as the walk up took a lot of energy and everyone was very sweatyJ. We all got a werthers original and we were ready to go to the top. Well, until we saw the top! The walk to pay for entry to Cerro Chato was up a slight hill which seemed liked torture to our blistered and tired feet. As we all prepared to eventually make our way to the top, Mr Taggart finally lived up to his promise (slightly) as he bought me a bottle of coke! The way up was very steep and because it was humid and wet the ground was very slippy as a few people slipped trying to get closer to our goal. A viewing point had been set up half way to the volcano and the view was absolutely amazing. We decided that this would be the best place for eating the other half of our lunch, today we had a bigger lunch with TWO sandwiches, and there was quite a variety of sandwich fillers which was highly appreciated as I think cheese was starting to get boring.

As we were getting higher and higher we met people on the way which told us just another 20 minutes we were so relieved to hear that there was not long to go. Then we reached steps, lots and lots of steps. It seemed like we were going up steps for ever, I felt like giving up as the stairs were getting too much. The people we met earlier were definitely lying about the twenty minutes as it felt like we were climbing up stairs for days! As I started to lose faith and started to think that I would never make it to the top again, Cliff’s motivation and determination to get me to the top made me realise that I probably could do it and that just because I’m tired sweaty and I am unable to feel my feet, this doesn’t mean I should just quit, and turning around and giving up shouldn’t be the answer. I thought about how good I would feel getting to the top and I would prove people wrong by reaching the top of a volcano.

As I reached the final steps I could hear others who had already made it cheering me on as I climbed my last step. I have never felt so proud of myself for anything before, it was such a big achievement for everybody, as we all struggled in some way to make it up Cerro Chato.

As we descended down and back to our camp site we were all tired and looking forward to food and a good night of sleep. Going down was so much easier than on the way up and we probably made it back a quarter of the time it took to get there. As we reached the final stretch of the way home, darkness hit and we had to walk home with our head torches.

We were all so thankful for reaching our beds for the night! And we could finally cook. Myself, Sophia, Ellie, Danny and Miss booth were cooking tonight and we put as much veg inn to make a very hearty meal as we all deserved it. By time we had finished eating and washing, the group was very tired and we all needed to sleep!

Overall it was such a good day and I can’t believe I climbed a volcano!! I don’t think we would all be able to make it without the support that everyone has given each other, everyone sticking together makes me realise how amazing our group actually is!

I honestly thank the whole group so much for helping me every step of the way and getting me to the goal, and bringing my spirit up.

I’m missing everyone at homeL

Steffi x

Steffi stough

La Fortuna and the Rain

22^nd July

Today was the first full day we had in La Fortuna. We woke bright and early (after a very hot and sweaty night) at 7.00am , ready to cook the breakfast. Whilst others packed their backpacks ready for our day trek, Jenny, Leah, Cliff and I cooked the breakfast-porridge (cliff’s awesome porridge), maple syrup and eggy bread, yum! We also made a new friend! Susie the dog, the campsite owner’s puppy, came to visit and have a play. She is very very cute but made everyone miss their pets even more! (Ed. L)

 Apart from the torrential rain during breakfast, everything was going rather well, we all collected our backpacks and set off to the Fortuna Waterfalls (admittedly later than planned). The trek there took a couple of hours and followed a long winding road with steep inclines up to the national park. It was a very humid day after the rainfall in the morning however, it created a lovely setting in the mountains; big heavy cloud surrounded the volcano in the distance. We envied the passing American tourists on horseback and in taxis however when we reached our destination, the walk was well worth it!

 The sparkling 70m ribbon of clear water cascaded down a beautiful canyon, which is surrounded by dense tropical foliage.  Many photographs later, we continued to walk around the photogenic scene to a clear blue pool of water. This was what we’ve been waiting for! We all stripped off, swimming costumes and shorts at the ready, and dived in. The water was very cold at first but we all soon got used to it and were soon swimming around like fishes (especially jenny and Danny of course). We all had a great time and had soon forgotten about the dreadful steep stairs we’d have to climb afterwards! After our refreshing midday dip, we all sat on the rocks and ate our chicken and cheese sandwiches and cereal bars whilst admiring the stunning scenery. After getting changed back into our sexy trek clothes, we climbed the stairs of doom. They were like the ones up the Whitby abbey but x100 and steep. We were all so relieved to reach the top and we all regrouped and took a last long look and the amazing waterfall.

The walk home was a lot easier as we walked downhill at a gentle pace. When we returned to camp we all split off into different groups to prepare for tonight’s meal and to wash our sweaty, dirty clothes. Whilst some went into town to get more supplies, others prepared the food and some took showers and washed and hung up the trek clothes. This was all part of our new ‘working together to plan ahead’ campaign as the morning had been particularly unorganised. (Ed. This makes Cliff a happy man J)

We sat down for tea just before 7pm and feasted on garlic potatoes and of course beanfeast! However, this meal was especially different as we had different varieties- chickpea and spicy! Taggart’s cooking group (Alex, Holly, Emily and Mr T) did exceptionally well and now were all excited for tomorrow’s new beanfeast creation!

It’s now only 8pm and we’re all so tired, partially due to the trek and the previous hot night. It’s been a long night of washing up and sorting out clothes, food etc. It’s mild weather now but I think everyone actually has their fingers crossed for some rain tonight to make us cooler! I think we’re all missing the British weather. Who would of thought?!

Missing everyone at home! But were all excited for tomorrow’s trek, we think..

Love Ella x

Ella Bloomfield

We´re on our way at last - Volcanoes here we come

Hello out there!  It’s Shaun on the blog for Saturday 21^st July.  It was most defiantly a full day.  After waking up at about 7:30 we had the same breakfast as before (Laughing cheese sandwich and fruit, bit dull. Emily is no longer leader as that duty has been passed on to Sofia. We then took five taxis to the bus station in San Jose to get a four and a half hour bus ride to La Fortuna. 

It was a long journey and by the time we got to San Carlos, which is about in the middle of San Jose and La Fortuna, the bus was completely full!  During the journey we passed through mountain roads that lead us straight into the aptly named ‘cloud forest’!  By this time some of us were asleep while the others (me included) tried to play ‘I Spy’ despite the fact that we could only see about a meter away (Ed. “I spy with my little eye something starting with ‘C’ “ hahahaha)!  Surprisingly there were quite a few things to see (Jack was able to find five things to do with a fence). 

After getting off the bus and retrieving our luggage we decided to set off to camp.  Some confusion about which way we were to go ensued and the realisation the teachers and cliff were not going to make the decisions for us set the tone for our first real challenge.  After about half an hour of no-one knowing where to go we finally set off.  After not being sure if we were going the right way Cliff asked a shop keeper for directions who showed us the way very kindly.  We immediately set up camp and prepared to cook tea (I was among the cooking team and thankfully my cooking seemed ok!). 

Around the campsite which we have exclusive use of (its the garden of Nelson our host), all that can be heard is the sound of birds and many frogs!  However it is a beautiful place and I’m happy to sleep here.  There are a number of bats flying around and it rained during the night (I guess that’s why they call it a rain Forest). 

Now this trip is starting to feel real to all of us, now that we are sleeping in tents.  To finish off I want to wish a happy birthday to my youngest nephew Liam whose Two now (good luck to your mum)! 

Once again this has been Shaun, goodbye!

Shaun Laing

Essential Planning day!

We had an early rise this morning to get showered and dressed, to then meet at 8:30 and have breakfast. We discussed the plans for the day, including what to actually eat for breakfast and also when to meet Javier, our Costa Rican guide. Javier’s representative turned up at 11am after we had sandwiches for breakfast bought from the supermarket at 10:30. We met Jovanni the representative of Javier and discussed transportation and the trekking/camping plans in La Fortuna.

We split into groups to go into town to carry out different jobs that needed to be done for the day. Me, Ella, Ellie and Mr Taggart went to look for places to eat for under $2 per person (£1.50). Emily, Stephie, Alice, Leah and Alex went to change American Dollars (between $50 and $100) into Costa Rican Colones and also find a phone and sim card which wasn’t successful until four trips later. Beth, Holly, Jack and Cliff got a taxi to the bus station to book the tickets for La Fortuna.  Jenny, Shaun, Danny and Miss Booth completed the menu planning for our acclimatisation trek near La Fortuna 

We sat around the pool and Miss Booth, Alice, Stephie and Emily split up the Colones between us depending on how many dollars we put in. We all put in $30 each for the Rest and relaxation part of our trip and also $20 each to tip the guides during our stay here. Me, Leah, Ellie, Ella, Alex and Cliff explored the stripper pole on the balcony across from the lounge, let’s say we received a few strange looks! (Ed.  I need to hone my skills a bit but I thought I taught you lot one or two things ;-) lol )

After we all went to the lounge area and played a game of Pool and relaxed on the balcony and seating area. Then Ellie, Ella, Danny Leah and myself went to town to look for fuel  for the camping stoves and still had none two hours later, despite it feeling as though we had walked round the whole of San Jose. In the mean while Emily, Stephie, Alice and Alex were still looking for a phone and sim card.

When we got back Cliff and Miss Booth weren’t pleased we spent two hours in the town and didn’t come back with any fuel, but it was getting dark and Latin-American Costa Rican men are more “open” with their compliments to women and have exploring eyes. We then went back out into town with the entire group and looked for a place to eat which, Ella, Ellie, Mr Taggart me looked for, for under $2. But with us not having lunch today we could spend $6 and therefore could afford a McDonalds J.  

All in all a busy day doing essential planning for the rest of our trip. 

(Ed. Due to popular demand we have decided to start the “Quote of the Day” again)

“All in all it seems like a bit of a nothing, but when I think about it... we achieved a fair bit” Extract taken from Alex’s journal.

Sophia Bennett

Pura Vida! We're here Safe n Sound

18th-20th July 2012

Hello :-) holly here, giving you the first report since we saw you all 2 days ago. It’s been a long 2 days for the group travelling from little old Billingham to San Jose in Costa Rica. After our final farewell we had a team talk about things such as the tight airport security in America and budget to what we would need to do over the travelling phase. We then watched the movie ‘Arthur’ until the first team were transported over to Middlesbrough for the mega bus. Following the many hit musical songs we sang on the bus ride over to Middlesbrough we had a short 15 minute wait for the mega bus. On the actual mega bus we were all separate but that didn’t particularly matter as we all fell asleep! The overall impression from the team was that the mega bus was very small but it filled its purpose.

We arrived at Victoria coach station, London at 7 on time and we were very glad to get off the bus! It was a short 5 minute journey to the tube station and although there was a little confusion about tickets, we got there in the end. We then encountered another problem when the tube we were taking was not going anymore but don’t worry folks, we managed it :-) ! So after our journey on the tube (some a bit more squished than others) we arrived at Heathrow terminal 4 at around 10 o’clock.

We met up with cliff and got checked in. We then went through security with no problems and boarded the first of 2 planes; Heathrow to New Ark. The seats were very spacious and comfortable and we all received our own pillow, blanket and set of headphones for the individual TV that there was in the back of the seats. We had a 7 hour flight that was spent watching the wide range of programs and films as well as playing the games that they had. We had 2 meals and lots of drinks and landed in newark NY at about 3:30(NY time). We then had a 2 hour wait in the airport until we boarded the second of our flights – Newark to San Jose. I am informed that we were delayed for a while, waiting for planes to go and storms to pass. I say informed because I fell asleep! (Ed. yeah she was snoring in my ear :-/) This journey was only 5 hours and throughout the team spent time watching TV, sleeping and eating.

We arrived in San José at about 12 pm San José time and took a taxi to hostel Pangea. We arrived at about 1 am and first impressions of the hostel were that it was very psychedelic. That was because the walls are covered in tribal drawings! We got settled in to the hostel, some of us showered then and others in the morning. We were all very glad to lay out on our dormitory beds and have some sleep.

We were then all up again at around 7 today and we took a trip to the local supermarket and our breakfast consisted of a lovely baguette filled with mad cow cheese and chorizo washed down with various fruit juices and either an apple or an orange. Our in country representative arrived and we have just had a discussion about transport and food etc. We have now split off into groups with our various tasks to complete. You now know what has been happening over the last 2 days, keep looking ! holly out.



Holly Laing

Top Roping (actually leading) with ‘Top People’

 

My experience on Roxcool's five day Rock Course

“What’s been the highlight of your week Annie?’ A question that is impossible to answer & brings a huge smile to my face……I’ll explain! I have just spent a week with amazing people & fallen in ‘love’ with crags and rock!

 Firstly some much deserved thanks & acknowledgements;

Cliff you are ‘excelente el profesor/instructor’ J Thank you for sharing your expertise & for the ‘chalk bags full’ of encouragement & endless patience (yes I know 15 minutes is far too long to make one move especially when it’s raining lol). Gareth (Jugs J) & Sam you are fab. I enjoyed every moment in your company & can’t wait to get together really soon for climbing (I’ll provide lunch Gareth as you still haven’t convinced me that North East gastronomic traditions are the best!!).

Jane & Adam it was great that you could join us for part of the week. Thanks for pointing out some great hand & foot holds when I was stuck, I learnt loads from the way you approached the climbs.

There is so much more I could thank you all for but as this is not an Oscar speech (although Sam your acting during the abseil deserves an Oscar lol) I had better stop here.

 

For anyone out there considering doing this course DO NOT HESITATE – GO FOR IT! Cliff & the ‘Roxcool Family 11-15 June 2012’ have taught me so much. I came to the crags with extremely limited experience of climbing. I now have a growing vocabulary (used word ‘bomber’ a few times in the pub last night & now know that ‘jam’ is not just something you do with a guitar or spread on toast J) & repertoire of skills. In five days I have climbed on different types of rock, interpreted guidebooks (ok Cliff we need more practice but am sure Gareth & Sam will agree the towel over our heads hindered us finding the ‘obvious chimney’!!), placed protection, constructed anchors, practiced rope management & emergency procedures (no Gareth I don’t mean coping with the midges I mean abseiling) & much, much more. I will never forget reaching the top of Birds Nest Crack, Almscliffe(HS 4b) after successfully jamming. Other top moments include leading a climb & sitting on a rock from a lofty & beautiful position above Derwent Water knowing how lucky I am to have such amazing experiences. A whole new world has opened up to me……..THANK YOU ‘Roxcool Family’. Annie X