Yesterday the long green tentacles of Expedition 10B stretched way down south as the Bravo Three team - myself and Ashley - set off on the first Phase Three roadtrip. Our first mission was to tackle the rugged tracks of La Amistad national park to restock the rucksacks of Zulu One. Two days before, the Corcovado trekkers began their journey in the tiny settlement of Progresso...
Day One presented fwe problems for this top team: they made light work of the 10km hike to Alturas, tackling a handful of river crossings before making an overnight camp in this remote rural village.
Carla and JC get busy in the camp kitchen
Bright and early on Day Two they russled up a fine breakfast of fried eggs before donning rucksacks and heading through the picturesque rural valleys of Coto Brus to reach Aguas Calientes. We caught up with them at the community Bull Ring where they were camping for the night. After dropping off their food supplies for the next five days and tucking in to a hearty supper of soya and rice (plus a tray of sticky bread and butter pudding that we'd brought along as a trekking treat) we snuggled up under the stars and caught up on their trekking tales. The next morning, as we bade them farewell, this is what they had to say for themselves:
So far, the trek has see-sawed up and down the mountain ridges of La Amistad national park, a UNESCO world heritage site packed with green peaks and glorious views. Having reached Pittier ranger station last night, the team now head into a dense jungle section for today's trek to Alta Mira ranger station - a tough but rewarding day with plenty of opportunity for spotting wildlife. Waiting for them at the ranger station tonight will be one of the treks most incredible views - a lofty campsite that gazes east over the national park. Tomorrow morning, along with their mess tins full of coffee and sticky energy bomb breakfasts, the sunrise should be rather special...
Next up: we catch up with the Coast to Coast trekkers at Barbilla ranger station.
Yamuna Morton-ZULU NINE
ReplyDeleteHey again, we just hope you are doing fine in Conte Burika. We did post your package, hope you get it ontime. Everybody is looking forward to see you on your bithday. Sorry about your ticket thingy, but we are all waiting for you here. Dini's misses you sooooooooooooooooooooooooooo much............. Remember your friend Narasimha! Love u 4ever, love u4always.
Piba and mama.
1
Hi Olly Longworth, Zulu 6,
ReplyDeleteWe're doing OK here - George has just broken up for Easter so is very happy with no school and having friends round, my knee is improving (tho not exactly perfect), my brain is getting properly straight after the op so returning to some Fortunata, Jess is away ski-ing with her uni in the French Alps (back this weekend and we are expecting her sometime for emergency re-fuelling)and dad is working hard, as ever, and playing for the 3s (!) this weekend. I might watch him tomorrow if I can get a lift down to the club. Belle good (good...), chickens laid their first egg today(yipee), still no election date(pathetic), sunny today and daffodils pretty(horrah), Zhen Kun and Sarah Carron asking after you today, Louise down tomorrow for the night (fab). I think that's about it.... Loads of love to you, thinking of you, as ever. Hope you are having a fine time building your paths in a beautiful place with good people. Mumx, Dadx and Georgex PS. Still not over the fact that Martin Johnson dropped Jonny - what WAS he thinking of?
Lieve Mark (Zulu 2) en Isabel (Zulu 7) en Emma (Zulu 3). Zoals Marieke 2 jaar geleden schreef aan het eind: "Bloed, zweet en tranen, but I did it",
ReplyDeletevoor jullie zijn de laatste twee weken een feit. Ik hoop dat jullie nog even een geweldige tijd hebben gehad en nog krijgen. Ik denk dat veel mensen via deze blog jullie hebben gevolgd.Heerlijk om te lezen. Nog heel veel plezier en tot over een paar weken!! veel liefs Pim en Karin
To: Samuel Becht, Zulu Seven:
ReplyDeleteLieve Sam, denk niet dat we niet aan je denken. Maar mijn berichtjes op het weblog worden de laatste tijd om onbekende reden niet geplaatst. Toch blijf ik het proberen: Hoop dat je het goed hebt in Los Tolodos en dat je nu (wel) op je zelf mag passen. Met baard herkenden we je bijna niet, maar wat staat dat leuk, met dat lange haar. Ik was heel druk deze week, spannende nieuwe werkdingen, vertel ik nog, en het ging lekker. Dus nu met een goed gevoel het weekeinde in. Béla heeft gisteren een fantastische zangperformance gegeven. Voor het eerst dat hij helemaal "los" ging, zijn verlegenheid afwierp, indrukwekkend. Pappa schoot helemaal vol en ik wist niet wat ik zag. Je was trots op je broer geweest. Bé kondigde vandaag aan dat hij snel met jou op vakantie wil Samen hebben we vanavond kaasfondu gegeten, gezellig en nu is de vogel weer gevlogen en ben ik alleen. Davy komt pas donderdag 1 april a.s. terug. Hij belt elke dag even, hij heeft het heerlijk met Judith. Verder ga ik zondag met opa naar de Matteus Passion, daar verheugen wij ons erg op. Ik geloof dat ik al meer dan 40 x geweest ben en ik vind het steeds mooier worden. Lieve schat, ik geef je een grote knuffel, muchos besos, big hug, je mam
Hi Charlie,(Zula one)
ReplyDeleteCook for the day ???????The poor trekkers - who allocated you that role?Would absolutely love to be spying on you right now!Look forward to hearing more as the trek goes on.Good look to you and all those who have to eat the food prepared by you!
lots of love Mum xxxx
Anna Dawson Zulu 9
ReplyDeleteHi Anna
Just a quick blog to let you know I am thinking about you always. Hope your first day went well, we are just going into Taunton,Tash has just gone to play netball, Becky has got Masie here so busy writing out invitations for their birthday disco.
The weather is quite good at the moment at least it is sunny.
Take care and enjoy your final project.
Lots of love Grandma xxx
Marijne Zulu 7
ReplyDeleteHoi lieve Marijne,
Hoop dat blogger Sarah snel in Los Tololos komt en dan wat verhalen en foto's op de site kan plaatsen, zodat we weten wat jullie daar uitspoken. Ik ben razend benieuwd! Heb natuurlijk wel de leuke stukjes over de vorige groepen gelezen, en die vond ik heel indrukwekkend. Hoe gaat het met je? Wat bijzonder zal het zijn om kennis te maken met het platteland van Nicaragua, en zelf te ervaren hoe het leven daar is.
Met ons gaat alles goed, druk met werk en school. Anne Linde is DJ uit Portugal tegen gekomen in Delft op een open dag, leuk he, je moet de groetjes hebben.
Het is nu echt lente geworden, we genieten van het lekkere weer, hebben zelfs al een keer in de tuin geluncht. We verheugen ons enorm op je thuiskomst, nu gaat de tijd snel. Maar jij moet eerst nog even hard werken om te bereiken dat de bewoners van Los Tololos water uit de kraan kunnen tappen, wat een genot zal dat zijn. Dan je weekje lekker chillen, ook een goed vooruitzicht.
Ik heb contact met de ambassade in San Jose gehad, als je in Turrialba terug bent moet je daar aangifte doen. (Wel heel goed op je paspoort passen, dat spreekt vanzelf)
Geniet, Marijne, pas goed op jezelf, en tot gauw!
XXX M
To blogger Sarah
ReplyDeleteYour stories and pictures on the blog are wonderful! Thank you very much!
to lucy benville zulu 1
ReplyDeletehi lucy just been looking at some new pictures of your group. i can't believe you actually look clean ! thought you might be getting pretty stinky! have a great trek up all those hills. will make the howgills seem like mole hills
see you soon Love jill matthew sam & tom
to Mike,and Joey:
ReplyDeletehey guys!!! how is it going? Me, in the real life, too busy at uni, but now am having some days off at a very nice place with my family,cuz my brother came from Russia(0:...
hope everithing is going well with ur proyects.. enjoy it. Am missing it a bit)=..
a biiiig hug to u guys!! looking forward seing u again!! Adri(=- muaaaaaaa!!!
Clare davey Zulu 1.
ReplyDeleteHi darling
Ive just watched you on camera which was lovley. It all sounds very hard work but very rewarding. I hope you managed that uphill trek to the rangers station. The views will have been worth it im sure. Only 3 and abit weeks left so enjoy every moment. You look very brown in the photos so i hope your keeping the sun cream on!!!
We are all good. dan had a drama festival for past 3nts and his group won the adjudicators award for best mime! George was asked yesterday by Andy to join the mens tennis team at O.H. tennis club so hes chuffed. Hes playing 3 matches 2day at david lloyd to get his ratings down and is in a tennis tournament the 2nd easter week. We go to Kevs on Sat to Mon, on tues and weds boys at Golf camp and Thurs Grace and Theresa come and we r having lunch at Grove!!! for Graces birthday. Paul fine and busy decorating his hse. Hes just had bathroom done so it looks nice. Take good care my darling girl, love u lots and lots Mumxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Luke Sussams - Zulu One!
ReplyDeleteHi darlin', SO lovely to see you in action in the video clip. Your group seem lovely! Hope the feet are in good condition, fancy a foot scrub a la moi on your return?!
I MISS YOU and love you a LOT.
Becky x
"please come back quickly luke becky is going mental mental chicken oriental" (from Sarah)
(It's not true I am SO rational and sensible these days...you know me!)
To Alexis de Vilmorin Zulu One
ReplyDeleteFrom Joseph de Vilmorin
Hi Scoobie saw your film when you were day leader and setting off for a long walk
Hope all is well with you, here weather is slowly improving and we should have spring for your arrival home.
Tintin walls finished and they look great
Love from all back home
D
To Ruth, Zulu 3
ReplyDeleteGreetings from daffodil country! It is a week since Zulu 3 set out so I guess you feel pretty tried and tested by now? Think of you each day, but probably when you are asleep as I keep forgetting about time zones. Just one week before Martin goes back to France with a big load so we are fully stretched clearing and packing to make sure van and trailer are really full. Having to turn down all invites for week ahead - except Easter Saturday when it is Doreen's birthday so must dig out the glad rags and take them out for a meal.I don't suppose the Easter bunny will track you down? Hope you aren't hopping yourself by now and that you are enjoying this masochism - really looking forward to seeing the next blog entry about the trek. Tons of love (as though your rucksack wasn't already heavy enough!) xx Mum
Nick Ash - Zulu 1
ReplyDeleteHiiii Nick!
Hope the treks going well and you arent struggling too much! We had such a good time in Hong kong despite losing Emus passport!! oops. The rugby was so cool, basically just drunk all day which was fun. We're now in Bangkok buying a whole new wardrobe in the markets! Really hope your having a good time and that your group is fun.. watched ur video and was loving your red outfit going on! Very nice. Anyways message me when your back, cant wait to hear from you.
Love H xxxx