We've come a long way baby...

Over the last three months we've been on quite a journey, haven't we. This blog was designed to bring you along for as much of the ride as we possible could - we've taken you up volcanoes and deep into the jungle; we've been welcomed into the humble homes of isolated Nicaraguan communities for a cup of sticky-sweet coffee; we've taken a peek at the lives of the indigenous people of Conte Burika; we've come face-to-face with turtles, taranatulas, puma and peccary pigs; we've experienced the highs and lows of trek; we've witnessed the chaos of changeover and we've sampled the delights of Raleigh rations - Pork&Beans, energy bombs and the ubiquitous, zingy joy of Tang!

This wouldn't have been possible without the help of many people. Here at Fieldbase, the Expedition support team work tirelessly to facilitate the activities and adventures that make such a big difference to both the participants and the project partners. Our team of driver, administrator, accountant, photographer and the fantastically organised logistics team, plus the management squad who organise us all, have done an incredible job, often working round the clock to make sure things run smoothly.

The Fieldbase team

Out in the field, our dedicated team of Volunteer Managers facilitate the three-week projects, translating, team-building, planning, negotiating, motivating, counselling and cajouling the Alpha, X-ray and Zulu teams. All these marvellous folk are volunteers, who also raised considerable funds to 'Get out there' on a Raleigh expedition.

We rely on a huge number of suppliers and friends, both here in Costa Rica and back in Blighty; top travel magazine Wanderlust Publications supplied maps and advice for our expedition publication. If you're planning your next adventure, Wanderlust magazine is packed with ideas, photos and practical information to get your itchy feet on the road again - check out there website http://www.wanderlust.co.uk/

Thanks also to CATIE for providing us with support and our Fieldbase facility, the British community in Costa Rica, the wonderful Nicaraguan communities of Los Tololos, Caña Florida, El Terrero, El Cebollal and Las Palmas, and the indigenous community of Rio Alto Claro. The Cooperativa Juan Francisco Paz Silva, El Foro Miraflor, UCA Miraflor, MINAET, SINAC, the park rangers of Tapanti, Barbilla, La Cangreja, Camaronal, Golfito, San Lucas, La Amistad, Corcovado, Rincon de la Vieja, Volcan Tenorio, Santa Rosa and Playa Hermosa.

Special thanks also go to our suppliers and sponsors here in Turrialba: Farmacia La Salud #2, Arte 21, Karina Express, TransNica, Bogantes, Merayo, Rainforest World and Turrialba Laundry.

At a higher level, we'd also like to thank our Vice President Manfred Peters, The British Embassy, The Governments of Costa Rica and Nicaragua, Lacle y Gutierrez, PWC and Dr Oscar Palma for his ongoing generosity and medical advice.

My final and perhaps biggest thank you is to the Venturers. Without them, Expedition 10B wouldn't have happened at all. They have supplied the grit and determination, the blood, sweat and tears (thankfully fairly minimal in the blood department), and the boundless energy and enthusiasm that has made our time in the last three months so incredibly special. Many of them will now be heading onwards to take on new, exciting challenges, and I can't wait to hear about them at the first 10B Raleigh reunion on the 22nd May.

Today, however, we turn off the Fieldbase radios, don our rucksacks once again and head off to explore some more of this incredible country. The blog will be dormant for a while - our next Costa Rica and Nicaragua expedition - 10F&G - kicks off in July so do check back then. Thank you again for your support, for your messages and for tuning in to our daily updates. Blogfollowers, it's been a pleasure. This is Blogger, signing off for the last time. Over, and out.