Jungle Massive - the view from Zulu 4

We 13 brave and intrepid Venturers/Explorers/PMs have begun our journey together in the highest of spirits.  Our task you may ask? To provide the legions of tourists, and their pristine white Nike Air trainers, a path as amazing as the jungle we have had the good fortune of living in for the past week. After we arrived tired and weary from our three hour bus ride, Oscar our personal ranger, showed us to our jungle accommodation – a cosy clearing situated just 50m from the main road and our main base, or as we’ve come to call it, ‘The Zoo’ due to the wide range of wildlife preferring to live in our kitchen rather than the jungle. Oscar then proceeded to show us the work of the previous Alpha and X-Ray groups, at which point we vowed to do Raleigh International proud and make our Zulu path just that bit better.  After we were shown our 400m path the rain began. With only half of our basher beds made Hanko, James, George, Michael, Uriel, Thea and Josie declined the opportunity to have their first jungle shower/bath, little did we know it would be a while before the next opportunity.

As the first proper day began Zulu 4 rose to a confusing melange of sounds; from one side the peaceful hum of the jungle, from the other Costa Rican traffic. We stumbled bleary eyed to our mess tins for porridge.  After completing jungle camp we set out to begin work on our path in earnest, under the capable leadership of James and the ever watchful eye of Oscar the ranger.  Due to some early logistical issues (i.e. where would we get sand and stones from) work started slowly, but soon picked up pace as our combined intellect ground slowly into 3rd gear (the heat preventing 4th) and we figured out how to dig sand, carry sand and put sand on the path.  The rocks followed the same pattern. Then, like 11 well oiled combine harvesters we ploughed on.  Everyday has yielded more and more progress, as our fluency in path building improves.  20ms turned quickly into 30ms, then 40ms, although A-Bomb does his best to distract us by pointing out every monkey that comes close and Michael leads off American tourists (of the female variety) with the invitation “come on ladies” in his best Spanglish.

Obviously we are fuelled by fine cuisine (bar the crackers and refried beans) produced ‘cada noche’.  The pure culinary genius of Erika, Josie, Thea and Vicki (take note they are all female) combined with our fresh fruit and veg allowance has meant such delicacies as Brushetta, Guacamole and something vaguely resembling Ratatouille and much, much more has been eaten.

Each day we have taken it in turns to guard our zoo in morning, afternoon and evening shifts.  As well as being a welcome break from the searing heat of the jungle it has also meant the Hanko and James could run around like little girls whilst being chased by our resident lizard (yet to be house trained).  A yes there was screaming!  Also it means Claire can read in relative peace and quiet, but we do our best to divert her attention.  As we enter the hottest month in Carara (the other extreme to Amanda’s 19 days of rain on the previous phase) the heat is, no surprises here, verging on unbearable, although Vicki is lapping it up (tan is obviously her number one priority).  However after work the watering hole has been there for us, like a faithful Labrador, away from the beady eyes of the tourists lest we be mistaken for beasts of the jungle. It is here we may finally relax.

Each evening has been more eventful than the last.  George has unearthed a new found passion for cards, but is yet to win (something James can associate with now that Poker has been aptly renamed “how Goose is going to lose all his money”).  Our hard work thus far is definitely paying off as we have already surpassed the half way mark and each passerby has told us what superb work they believe we are doing.  This means a lot to us, as well as willing us on to do those extra 5 metres each day.

So from Zulu 4 out here in the jungle its goodbye and Pura Vida!

Hola desde El Portillo!

Today is Monday and after living with our families for almost a week we are all settling in well and getting used to the Nicaraguan way of life. While eating lots of traditional food we are all practicing our Spanish followed by giving birth to loads of food babies! We have been lucky enough to try some of the pigs and chickens that were running around our houses a few days earlier. Some of the venturers had the opportunity to milk a cow and as a reward have tasted the fruits of their labour – delicious ‘arroz con leche’ (rice pudding).

After a slow start on the building of the new eco-latrines, work is now going well and we are developing our construction skills – taught by the locals. We are all now nearly experts in cement mixing and brick-laying, so we have a plan B for when we get home. The eco-latrines we are building are more environmentally friendly than traditional long drop latrines. They are more sustainable in the long term as they provide compost for the soil and prevent contamination of the water.

Every afternoon, after work, the kids gather around the school excited for their English lessons taught by the venturers. they are keen to learn all kinds of subjects but 'ninja' seems to gain the most interest. They are all very interested in all us 'cheles' and use us as climbing frames, teddy bears, and they love tickling.

Much Love to everyone at home Zulu 6

Zulu 5 - Volcan Tenorio

Zulu 5 have been in the depth of Volcan Tenorio for almost a week and a half now and we are still standing!

We have practically sifted the Sahara and moved mountains of sand along treacherous paths as we fight a race against time in preparation for the swarm of tourists that will descend on the park in Holy Week. 

Hours have also been spent fixing our temperamental jungle camp. Fosca discovered that the bamboo holding her basha bed together was not as strong as expected when she awoke at 3am… on the floor! PM Daniel 'Flaves' Saborio has done copious amounts of reconstruction work, receiving a few injuries along the way. 

However, amidst the hard work we've soothed our aching bones in the hot springs, visited the rich sugar cane and gaped in awe at the magnificent waterfall that lies at the heart of the jungle. 

Tourists are not the only thing to infest this place; Jay and Elliot were joined by a Coral snake during their afternoon cigarette break, Fleur, Lisa and Yssa spotted the famously ugly tapir (which is on the brink of extinction), sloths and monkeys have graced our camp and toads have made themselves at home in our showers. 

Our evenings are spent with Valeria in her element hosting aerobics classes’, intense games of monopoly deal and sleeping bag races in which Istvan remains unbeatable. 

We Zulu 5 will keep you updated on our adventures in sunny Volcan Tenorio (sorry X-Ray 6)