Monteverde

We took a bus then a boat then another bus to get to the Quaker town of Monteverde. Touristville again but a place with a fascnating history. We did some short 'treks' around the Monteverde reserve. We saw some white faced howler mokeys, coati with babies (very cute a bit like a badger/ardvark/skunk), and up near the cafe loads of humming birds. They were feeding at bird tables right where we were, some of them were tiny - really colourful, amazing, flying all around us. On the main trek of the day we were treated to spectacular views of the Monteverde cloud forest and if you stood still and listened, the trees were literally humming with the sound of insects, reptiles and other animals.

So far the treks described as 'strenuous' and 'for very fit people' have been pretty easy - I guess they are marketing to the adventure traveller who is not ncessarily that fit.

Costa Rica is well known for sustainable development. Costa Ricans are trying to strike a balance between developing the tourist industry which has saved thier economy, and protecting the precious natural wonders that draw the tourists in. I'm not sure where zip wiring fits in with this so called 'eco tourism', as it no doubt involves destroying areas of forest or at the least damaging trees.