(The view from the office, sweet!)
(out on The Reefer for a booze cruise)
I've been keeping myself busy since my last post. I came back to Puerto Viejo for New Year which was a bit of a culture shock. 2 weeks deep in the jungle and then arriving back in the party town of Puerto the day before New Year. The town was packed and spirits were high so a good time was had by all. Needless to say I over-indulged and felt awful the next day but that is what NY eve is all about isn't it?
We have been having lots of barbeques and for my birthday we all went down to Punta Uva and had a great time on the beach. A Mega Supa supermarket has opened in town and they do the best spicy Chorizo sausages. We got through 3lbs of them! Mega Supa must be putting in special orders for the sausages because we certainly are getting through them. Jessica, a friend from the dive shop had her 40th birthday a week after mine so we decided to do something difference so we went to Cocles beach for our barbeque instead.
(The girls on my birthday)
(Back on The Reefer)
A couple of weeks ago there was a revenge attack for a murder that happened six months ago at the end of my road. A guy was shot 5 times in the back at 10am while people were having breakfast. Amazingly the guy survived and is fighting for his life in hospital. I guess the revenge attacks will continue seems they were not successful. A couple of days later we were out diving and got stopped by the Coastguard under suspicion of drug trafficking. It was after a big storm and apparently it is common for drug packets to wash up on the storm so the Coastguard were out checking all boats on the ocean. It all makes for an exciting life in Puerto.
I still haven't completed my Divemaster. I have probably half a day of work to complete it and only 3 days to do it in so I need to get my rear into gear. I think I will be doing my 60th dive tomorrow so that just leaves my exams and my underwater stress test. I have to exchange all my dive equipment underwater with a buddy whilst we share air. Meanwhile my instructor will be doing all sorts of nasty things to try and put me off. My instructor is looking forward to this task a lot!
(Finally proof that I am diving! It is not all partying here you know)
Jamie went back to the states about 10 days ago so I'm missing him a lot. We are still in touch and I'm trying to convince him to join me in Colombia while he is trying to talk me into going to Georgia. I guess we will have to see who gives in first.
(Jamie!! Vas a colombia con migo!)
So what are my plans now? On Thurday I'm going down to Bocas del Toro for a couple of days with a big group of friends from Puerto. I'm really looking foward to it because it will be a good send off for my leaving Costa Rica. I return on Saturday and then head up to San Jose on Sunday ready for my flight to Venezuela on Monday. I'm not spending any time there though, I'll be moving straight on to Colombia the following day. There I have 3 weeks before I go to Ecuador.
I'm planning on coming back to Puerto Viejo so will be able to travel light and leave some stuff here. I'm not sure how long I will be in South America or how long I will come back for, I guess it just depends on how things go. I'm keeping my plans fluid so I can make the most of this trip. I do however have mixed feelings about leaving because I love living here and have made loads of friends but feel it is time to see a bit more of the world. I've had 10 months here, much longer than I ever expected to stay and have enjoyed the experience of living in a latin country.
I'm hoping to make a friends birthday in Vegas in June but I will have to see how the travel plans pan out. North or South, decisions...decisions.
So that about brings you up to date. I hope everyone is well and enjoying life wherever you are. Do let me know what you are up to.
Take care all!
Nikkie
