Costa Rica
Bidding adios to Panama, we headed toward its northerly neighbor, Costa Rica. COPA Airines was our airline host from Panama to its neighbor on the north. Costa Rica is known for its conservation efforts, and much of the total land mass has been dedicated to national parks. San Jose, the capital, is located in the immense Central Valley. Here, 51% of the population of Costa Rica lives. As a result, the rest of the country is sparsely populated.

Just outside San Jose (about an hour's drive) we decided to have a look at an honest-to-goodness volcano! Costa Rica is, indeed, volcano country - it has 88 volcanos and 112 craters. The ride from the city to Poas Volcano was great. Just as we entered Poas National Park on a winding road, the air became cool and the vegetation began taking on a new look. We saw many ferns, and an interesting large-leaved plant commonly called the "poor-man's umbrella."

Why such a name? Well, the plant grows large stalks with huge round leaves on the ends. If you suddenly encountered a rainstorm while hiking, you could just cut a stalk at the bottom and have an instant umbrella! But, if this happened while hiking in a national park, well, you'd just have to get wet. No cutting of plants is allowed. Some of the leaves I saw had to be over 5 feet across!

The cool mountain air was exhiliarating, and soon we were at the volcano's edge. I'm glad we went early in the morning because the view was crystal clear. The clouds hadn't moved in as of yet. Looking way down to the crater's center, I could see the sulphur color as liquid and gases bubbled!

Sarchi, Costa Rica
Colorful Ox-Carts? The only ox-carts I've seen have been really old, broken-down things. But, in the city of Sarchi - as Kathaleen found out - artisans have developed what has become a sort of nationally known art-form. They make traditional looking ox-carts here, the kind you can use to ride in and carry supplies, but with a different twist.

These carts are magnificently painted, using a variety of bright colors in a kaliedoscope effect! I saw small carts that one might keep as a souvenir to place on a table or shelf, to larger carts that could be used in the home. There were even full-size carts! And, they easily fold up so we could ship them home. One of the painters there is very famous, as he's been featured in magazines such as National Geographic many times.