09F (10 Weekers) The Guanacaste Quest

As our resident blog-writer Sarah is currently filling up on Gallo Pinto (rice and beans – three times daily) in Achuapa with Alpha 3, the blog has again come under the control of Rachel (mwah- ha-ha!). Firstly apologies for the delay in posting blog comments, I was a little held up in Guanacaste – as I will explain…

As naturally intrepid explorers, Tim and I set out to visit the honorable knights of the Guanacaste Quest. Accompanied by our trusty steed (Bravo 3), we journeyed far and wide, through the foot hills of San Jose and yonder north to the homestead of Don Antonio and Doña Carolina -Ganadera El Laurel


Tim with Bravo 3

Here we were due to greet the venturers of Alpha One. However, although King Alpha the First (David) and Queen Chloe handpicked them for their razor-sharp minds and Ox-like hearts - Alpha One became sidetracked in their quest, and spent some time experimenting with a new definition of geography and some inventive forms of map reading.

Incapable of idling the time away – Tim and I became apprentices to Don Antonio and learnt the mysterious art of cow-milking.

Don Antonio milking (there should be a photo of me, but I was taking all the shots!)

As the mist drew in around the hills, we knew in our hearts that we would not meet this day.

The new day dawned and Alpha One, refreshed and revitalised by bowls of lumpy porridge, set out with new resolve. They quested all day, and Bravo 3 growled up and grumbled down the hills to a new meeting point, deep within the Guateso Indigenous Reserve (twenty minutes off Route 4). Following the directions from the Oracle, Fieldbase, we searched for the illusive town of Cucaracha (meaning cockroach in Spanish), receiving strange looks from the locals as we asked ‘Where is the town of the cockroach?’ Mutually deciding that while they may be many cucarachas in Costa Rica, they haven't yet named a real town after them...our paths converged in Tonjibe.

Tina, weary but joyful, followed by Holman, Tony and Fredy

Here the daughter of the Rancho chieftain led us to a place of rest - the barn behind the football pitch...

...frequently used to sell souvenirs to tourists.

The days journeying over, the venturers set up camp and went about their duties;


Writing the SITREP - Chloe, Shane, Henry and Fee

Comparing 'tan' (mud) lines - Shane, Henry, Fee and Chloe

Preparing their beds - Shane, Tony, Harry and Michael

Fee, Shane, Michael, Harry

Jhalmar, Holman, Tony and Fredy

Analysing the route for tomorrow - David and Tim

Arising at 3.30am the next morning, the venturers swiftly (!) packed up camp, shouldered their packs, and set off into the pouring rain at 6am. Tim and I bid them farewell, and putting our rucksacks on the back seat of Bravo 3 (not feeling the slightest twinge of guilt), began our journey back to Fieldbase.

The other Alpha Groups are all happy and progressing well with their projects.

Alpha 2 are doing well on their ‘Mission Possible’, after calling in briefly to Alpha 3 in Achuapa they are just a few days walk from the impressive Volcan San Cristobal.

Alpha 3 have completed 60% of their water catchment system and are beginning trench digging.

Alpha 4 have visitors today, Oli and Bec are stopping by to pick up Guy and have a nosey around Miraflor. Oli, Guy and Bec will then spend two days with them, and all return back to Fieldbase with Sarah – so we will have photos and more detailed updates soon!

To everyone at home, thanks for all the lovely comments - we're sending them out on the food drops and project visits and I know the PMs and Venturers really appreciate them.