Page 35: - No Return Ticket - Just a Ride Report /w Pics - From the beginning
Just another Beach Hike:
There are several isolated beaches north and south along this coast, we devote a day to attempt to find 'Turtle beach'. After 90 minute of hiking we find a ideal secluded beach. The hike was much longer then we anticipated. The further we go off on foot the more serious we need to be about the supplies we carry. We should have been more prepared today.
Where Are the Turtles?......
Heidi scrambles over a rock point.
It is hard to tell if this is Turtle beach. Heidi says it isn't and she would know, because she is a turtle. I kid you not, while hiking along Heidi exclaims that she hasn't seen any 'horse poop' on the trail. "Horses bring tourists to Turtle beach" she says. I complement her immediately on the fantastic navigation and tracking skills she is utilizing. We have a good laugh. I say "You are part beach native"
It's a scenic hike back, another good day.
Our apartment is on top of a big hill outside of town, we are almost home, just two hundred more yards up the final steep jungle trail. Heidi has on her big wide brim hat and is looking down at the trail. We are both struggling to keep moving when 'Bam' Heidi's head is bouncing off this fallen tree trunk. She went down fast and obviously had her 'bell' rung. This is no fun, getting hit in the head is a stunning feeling to say the least. All I can do is first verify her physical wellness and mental state. Her neck is fine, her shoulders are fine and no gash in her noggin, good. She is alert and answering questions. She hit her head bad and it hurts like heck, we hope that's all it is. Heidi says "You should be watching me better!" I agree and suggest a bicycle helmet for future hikes. She cracks a smile :) I continue to monitor for signs of nausea and a greater than normal state of delirium……
Photo: The next day at the same tree trunk.
We march down to town. Heidi is more cautious today. 2 blocks away we wait for a bus going to Nicoya.
Bus ride to Nicoya:
Nicoya feels more like a Central American town to us. There are no tourists and the price for everything is half or less here compared to elsewhere in Costa Rica. We stock up on supplies. Heidi finds some 'lotions and potions' and continues her never ending quest for 'another bikini.
Bus stop in Nicoya: The one hour bus ride is $1.40 each for one way. The buses are nice, the procedure is to pay the driver when you get on.
While the bus is waiting at the station a guy jumps on and starts selling ice-pops and chips. As the bus is slowly creeping out of the station the seller gives the driver an ice-pop then hustles off. This is more like the Central America we have grown accustom to and love. Although the buses are nicer and the people seem more familiar the process is the same.
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North Coast Road:
Another attempt to reach this "Turtle Beach". This time we do a reconnaissance mission by motorcycle first. The ride takes us along north coast. I have heard that in Costa Rica a lot of rivers don't have bridges. At the first crossing there are 2 possible routes to get across. We wait for another vehicle to see which way go. First a tractor with huge tires goes straight across, it looks deep. Then a compact car takes the outside route, and that looks much better. The exhaust pipes make a cool sound under water.
esta nada.
On the other side of the river my left foot peg rubber is gone. It's nowhere in sight. Crap, something needs to be done. I mention duct tape, Heidi gives me major crap with a smile.
It is all dirt road as we near the coast, the hills are not super steep and the ruts are not bad. These are the kind of dirt roads I grew up on, no problem. Although the going is really slow, we think we got close to the beach area that is protected for nesting turtles. We weren't exactly sure and again the journey was further than anticipated. We didn't have the supplies needed to continue. We will return here another day better prepared. Lesson learned.
This is dry season in the 'Dry Jungle' some trees turn pink and others turn yellow.
It's nice to be lightly packed while exploring the local area. The bike feels better and we have room to carry stuff. On our way back we stop in town and load up on a few supplies.
The Ride Continues…….
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