Raleigh Costa Rica and Nicaragua

Hi everyone, Rose here (now back at Field base).

I have loved spending the past 9 days with Alpha One and I thought that I would write to let you know what we have all been up to on San Lucas Island.

The first 2 days of Phase 3 were spent at Field Base eagerly awaiting to find out if we would be deployed to Roca Quemada to finish the school. We had great fun around Field base keeping each other amused! A few of us went on a day trip to Guayabo, Costa Rica’s largest and most important archaeological monument. We also had a fun time celebrating Anna’s birthday with a party and a few games.

We were sad to find out that we wouldn’t be able to go to Roca Quemada but were thrilled when we found out where we would be going instead…
The next day we set out for San Lucas Island. After a bus ride and a very wet boat ride we arrived at the historical and beautiful island. The island was deserted apart from one ranger and a host of exotic wildlife. While we have been here we have seen crabs, eels, snakes, crocodiles, scorpions and a tortoise. Of course I mustn’t forget Lucas – the island’s friendly deer.

Our first night was a little traumatic as we awoke in the middle of the night to find our selves surrounded by crabs – not good if you are terrified of them like me! This episode encouraged us to crack on with building our ‘beach camp’ the next day so we wouldn’t be sleeping on the floor again!

We have spent the other days clearing a path across the island and we also spent a day painting the ranger’s station.

We have been eating like Kings whilst we have been here with Jamie and Pedro as resident master chefs in our camp kitchen. We have eaten crab, fish and coconut – all harvested by our own fair hands! David, the ranger took us on a night walk to catch the crabs!

In our time off, we have been lucky enough to pop to the beach or swim off the pier. It’s paradise! As a group we have been reading ‘The Lonely Men’s Island’. It is a book about the horrible history of the prison on the island. So far no-one has dared sleep in the prison yet but I don’t think it will be long before someone plucks up the courage!

We have also been very adventurous as a group…
Georgie designed an excellent assault course for us to do one morning. Roly and Cam also spent the whole morning setting up a prisoner/ survival challenge for us to do in the afternoon. They had us running all over the island trying to work out clues, complete challenges and escape from our captors! It was fantastic and everyone had great fun.

I am really missing Alpha 1. They are such a brilliant group of people with a huge amount of enthusiasm, initiative and laughter. Keep up the good work Alpha 1!