So the day has come.
I feel very lucky to have woken to find the weather is dry. There was rain in the night. I have slept just a few hours and am feeling a little drowsy to say the least! The drive to the small local airport takes 90 mins along bumpy roads. It started in the pitch dark at 4:30am whe I closed the door and said goodbye to where has been home for the past eight months. I shall miss the monkeys and scent of tree blossoms in the dawn air.
Just a few miles out of the village the taxi driver slows as there I seem an animal slowly crossing the road and it seems a little dazed by the car headlights. As we slowed to a halt we realized it was a young armadillo. This was a particular thrill for me as although I know them to be in the area this was the first I have ever seen! It was so beautiful! I didn鈥檛 have my camera handy and anyway it was still very dark so he went on by unmolested and disappeared into the trees at the side of the road. I took this as a good omen for my day ahead.
The dawn slowly brought the light and by the time we reached the airport the earliest rays of sun were shining through the trees. I was so happy it was going to be a fair weather flight, not only for the nice view and chances to take beautiful photos but also because it鈥檚 not the best, calmest experience to fly through storm clouds in these tiny planes!
It is a fifty minute flight to the capital San Jose. We touched down safely and I was surprised to find a brand new aeroplane terminal with pristine new facilities and smiling healpful staff. This is a big upgrade for this air company as their last office and departure longue was more like a small hanger on the edge of the runway with virtually no facilities or comfort , just purely functional.
So now I await my main flight to Madrid - with a cappuccino and chocolate muffin! My check in is three hours away and Madrid an 11 hour flight! I hope I can nod off for a while at some point. See you on the other side!