Here we are, spending our last night in Central America, about ready to go to bed. It has been an amazing trip. I will recap the highlights, pros, cons, things we would change, items to pack, and unpack, as soon as I get back to the States and have time to think about it myself. So, keep checking out the blog for the last recap on the trip.
Our flight leaves San Jose, Costa Rica t 10:55 am, arriving in Spokane at 9:00 pm, that's if everything goes well. We only have one hour in Dallas, to collect our bags and go through customs, and recheck our bags, so that will be a rush!
Today was an awesome day in San Jose. Hana and I randomly ran into a market and found lots to see and buy! We made it to a grocery store to buy snacks for the plane ride home. This afternoon we spent in the pool and packing our bags, so everything would fit. Hopefully our packs are under 50 pounds! We also met a girl from France who cooked us dinner. I think Costa Rica will be a fun place to visit in the future. When I have more time and money.
So, Goodbye Central America! It's been great! Hopefully we will be back soon!
Kristen
Tuesday, February 13, 2007
Sunday, February 11, 2007
Oh Happy Day.
Granada, NICARAGUA . . .
We climbed up this church´s belltower (during the service) for a view of Granada. The tower was closed, but KK charmed our way in with the caretaker.
View of Lake Nicaragua from the belltower.
Granada´s streets are a frenzy of bikers interspersed with the traffic and pedestrians. Our favorite sight was the men biking with a woman or child (or both) riding perfectly balanced on the handlebars with legs to one side).
Laguna de Apoyo, NICARAGUA . . .
Crater´s Edge - a hostel on the shores of Laguna de Apoyo - a 900ft deep (or more!)crater lake. We spent the weekend relaxing here, waking up to sunrises that we could see from our dorm beds, and spending the day floating in intertubes and reading.
Heather, a lively girl from Humboldt put on a wonderful birthday eve concert of singing and guitar by the shores of the laguna. There was much laughter and great energy, with group participation singing ¨Home on the Range¨and even some beatboxing lessons! Heather´s voice was incredible! She sang some original songs, along with my favorites - Blackbird and Killing me Softly. Her boyfriend also had an amazing voice (Scottish accent) - so KK and I enjoyed just listening to him speak!
KK showin´off her expert kayaking skills on Laguna de Apoyo.
Birthday morning sunrise swim in CDA Lake, I mean Laguna de Apoyo, the perfect lake - no boat traffic and lots of waves so you feel like you´re swimmin´in a rodeo! Perfect way to start the day!
Thanks everyone for the birthday lovin´! KK SURPRISED me last night at Crater´s Edge when everyone started singing me happy birthday as they brought out the banana splits for us all! Definitely a wonderful past 24 hours!
Love you more,
Hana T.
PS. We are flying home on Valentine´s Day! Can you believe it??? Which means the next two days are a straight shot from Nicaragua to San Jose, Costa Rica. Ay yi yi.
We climbed up this church´s belltower (during the service) for a view of Granada. The tower was closed, but KK charmed our way in with the caretaker.
View of Lake Nicaragua from the belltower.
Granada´s streets are a frenzy of bikers interspersed with the traffic and pedestrians. Our favorite sight was the men biking with a woman or child (or both) riding perfectly balanced on the handlebars with legs to one side).Laguna de Apoyo, NICARAGUA . . .
Crater´s Edge - a hostel on the shores of Laguna de Apoyo - a 900ft deep (or more!)crater lake. We spent the weekend relaxing here, waking up to sunrises that we could see from our dorm beds, and spending the day floating in intertubes and reading.
Heather, a lively girl from Humboldt put on a wonderful birthday eve concert of singing and guitar by the shores of the laguna. There was much laughter and great energy, with group participation singing ¨Home on the Range¨and even some beatboxing lessons! Heather´s voice was incredible! She sang some original songs, along with my favorites - Blackbird and Killing me Softly. Her boyfriend also had an amazing voice (Scottish accent) - so KK and I enjoyed just listening to him speak! 
KK showin´off her expert kayaking skills on Laguna de Apoyo. 
Birthday morning sunrise swim in CDA Lake, I mean Laguna de Apoyo, the perfect lake - no boat traffic and lots of waves so you feel like you´re swimmin´in a rodeo! Perfect way to start the day! Thanks everyone for the birthday lovin´! KK SURPRISED me last night at Crater´s Edge when everyone started singing me happy birthday as they brought out the banana splits for us all! Definitely a wonderful past 24 hours!
Love you more,
Hana T.
PS. We are flying home on Valentine´s Day! Can you believe it??? Which means the next two days are a straight shot from Nicaragua to San Jose, Costa Rica. Ay yi yi.
Thursday, February 8, 2007
I Believe I Can Fly
A flashback to Honduras this past week . . .
(Lauren´s weiner dog Frita had puppies right before we arrived! Here´s Oliver at one month old. Aren´t they beautiful?!)
Now we´re in Granada, Nicaragua. It´s a neat colonial town on the shore of the huge Lake Nicaragua. First morning here we met a former Peace Corps volunteer and former THEOLOGY major from Boston college. He is currently in the process of setting up a non-profit organization here in Nicaragua. Upon meeting him, I hoped perhaps he could use a fellow theology major as his partner in non-profit adventure! Alas, he seems to have disappeared.
There is a poetry conference going on this week, so every night the central park is alive with venders selling Hot Dogs out of carts brightly painted with pictures of Bugs Bunny or Tigger or other various cartoon characters. There is a stage that moves locations every evening, and each night loads of people crowd around to listen to the poets who have come from all over to share their words and rhymes. There is a troupe of drummers that parade around the streets each night with a fifteen foot tall ¨woman¨in a pink dress and a little man with a huge head that dance around. We´ve been so captivated by the street entertainment and markets that we haven´t made it to the shores of the lake yet!!
(Looking out over Granada, Nicaragua)
So . . . Kristen and I decided to catch a glimpse of the lake from the top of Volcan Mombacho. We booked a tour and caught a ride out to the dormant volcano that is covered in lush rainforest. There was a spectacular lookout of Granada and the Lake. The winds were incredible! We spent a lot of time up there watching several hawks riding the wind currents.
(KK and Lago Nicaragua)
Also the first time I´ve seen orchids in the wild!
(Muchos orchids up on the volcano in the cloudforest.)
After the hike, we hit up a tour of the same canopy we had been overlooking moments before. The tour had thirteen ziplines that we made our way down doing various sorts of manuevers: superwoman, no brakes, upside down, it was quite exhilarating and the views were incredible! Though I was surprised that my adrenaline was not rushing like it does on certain rollercoasters and even when cliffjumping. At one point, they hooked Kristen and I juntos (together) and we flew down together.
(KK pulling herself up the last leg of the zipline)
(Freefallin´upside down! FYI: watch out for branches!)
With a few days left in Central America, we´re starting to think about home and discussing what´s to come when we return...KK has several interested engineering companies that have just contacted her these past few days! And I have my brother to go visit in Missoula! And my grandparents in Clarkston! Realizing that time spent with loved ones is very important to me right now. And KK feels the same about spending time with her granny . . . maybe even taking her to Vegas?!?! We love all of you.
(Runnin´across a swing bridge reminds us of days at camp)
La paz del Espiritu Santo,
Hana T.
(Lauren´s weiner dog Frita had puppies right before we arrived! Here´s Oliver at one month old. Aren´t they beautiful?!)Now we´re in Granada, Nicaragua. It´s a neat colonial town on the shore of the huge Lake Nicaragua. First morning here we met a former Peace Corps volunteer and former THEOLOGY major from Boston college. He is currently in the process of setting up a non-profit organization here in Nicaragua. Upon meeting him, I hoped perhaps he could use a fellow theology major as his partner in non-profit adventure! Alas, he seems to have disappeared.
There is a poetry conference going on this week, so every night the central park is alive with venders selling Hot Dogs out of carts brightly painted with pictures of Bugs Bunny or Tigger or other various cartoon characters. There is a stage that moves locations every evening, and each night loads of people crowd around to listen to the poets who have come from all over to share their words and rhymes. There is a troupe of drummers that parade around the streets each night with a fifteen foot tall ¨woman¨in a pink dress and a little man with a huge head that dance around. We´ve been so captivated by the street entertainment and markets that we haven´t made it to the shores of the lake yet!!
(Looking out over Granada, Nicaragua)So . . . Kristen and I decided to catch a glimpse of the lake from the top of Volcan Mombacho. We booked a tour and caught a ride out to the dormant volcano that is covered in lush rainforest. There was a spectacular lookout of Granada and the Lake. The winds were incredible! We spent a lot of time up there watching several hawks riding the wind currents.
(KK and Lago Nicaragua)Also the first time I´ve seen orchids in the wild!
(Muchos orchids up on the volcano in the cloudforest.)After the hike, we hit up a tour of the same canopy we had been overlooking moments before. The tour had thirteen ziplines that we made our way down doing various sorts of manuevers: superwoman, no brakes, upside down, it was quite exhilarating and the views were incredible! Though I was surprised that my adrenaline was not rushing like it does on certain rollercoasters and even when cliffjumping. At one point, they hooked Kristen and I juntos (together) and we flew down together.
(KK pulling herself up the last leg of the zipline)
(Freefallin´upside down! FYI: watch out for branches!)With a few days left in Central America, we´re starting to think about home and discussing what´s to come when we return...KK has several interested engineering companies that have just contacted her these past few days! And I have my brother to go visit in Missoula! And my grandparents in Clarkston! Realizing that time spent with loved ones is very important to me right now. And KK feels the same about spending time with her granny . . . maybe even taking her to Vegas?!?! We love all of you.
(Runnin´across a swing bridge reminds us of days at camp)La paz del Espiritu Santo,
Hana T.
Tuesday, February 6, 2007
5 Countries down, 1 to go.
Onto Nicaragua...well, actually already here. We made it from Roatan to Tegucigapla yesterday (long travel day starting at 5:30 am). Stayed with my friend Lauren overnight. Today, we traveled from Teguci to Granada, Nicaragua. This town reminds us both of Antiqua, Guatemala. Another colonial town. There is a HUGE lake located somewhere, but since we arrived at night, we will explore this town tomorrow. I believe we will be here until around Feb. 11th (Hana´s birthday).
Not much else really to post, or to say. Our trip is coming to an end, I can almost see it. Feb. 14th is our return flight from San Jose, Costa Rica. Which gives us...8 more days. I can´t believe that 7 weeks has come and gone. Now it seems like Roatan was so long ago. Man-o-man. We took a safe route to get to Granada this time, instead of the Chicken buses at night. We shared a taxi with two Danish girls from the capital, a 1 hour ride. They turned out to be 23 and 24 years old, with only brothers as well. Weird the similarities.
In Granada, we are expecting to head to the lake, maybe climb a volcano, maybe do a canopy tour, maybe go to the island in the middle of the lake...well, those are some options.
Kristen
Not much else really to post, or to say. Our trip is coming to an end, I can almost see it. Feb. 14th is our return flight from San Jose, Costa Rica. Which gives us...8 more days. I can´t believe that 7 weeks has come and gone. Now it seems like Roatan was so long ago. Man-o-man. We took a safe route to get to Granada this time, instead of the Chicken buses at night. We shared a taxi with two Danish girls from the capital, a 1 hour ride. They turned out to be 23 and 24 years old, with only brothers as well. Weird the similarities.
In Granada, we are expecting to head to the lake, maybe climb a volcano, maybe do a canopy tour, maybe go to the island in the middle of the lake...well, those are some options.
Kristen
Thursday, February 1, 2007
Los Fotos Finalemente :)
(KK and I reached the coast of Northern Honduras, ready to head out to the Bay Islands)West End, Roatan, Bay ISlands, Honduras
A quick peak at what turned out to be a TWO WEEK venture...
(Meandering down the seaside from West End to West Bay - Johnny G, KK, Devin)
(Devin posing during his modeling shoot on the Caribbean Sea)
(Kristen and Chelsie RANDOMLY reunited after ten years. Turns out they used to be in band together at Sacajawea middle school in Spokane!)
(Lazy morning breakfasts on the front porch of JD and D's island cabin)
(Devin's ridiculously crazy (or as he and Johnny would say "ugly") hair . . . one of many styles these past few weeks)
(The Open Water Diving Class of February 2007!! JD, Devo, Hana, Chelsie and Dive Instructor Extraordinaire, Adolfo "Adi" Hirzer.)
(Captain Marcos and Jack "Adi" Sparrow taking us out to sea).
(D is all suited up for a backwards entry, while Adi waves at me to stop being a photographer and focus on my diving! :)
(D entering da wata. As Adi said, "so that's where all your oxygen goes!")
(Johnny G scores a 10 on his backwards entry! Good form!)
(The posse upon completion of our open water course!)
(Celebrating our certification by watching the sun set over our beloved reef)
Wednesday, January 31, 2007
Under da Sea
A quick shout out to everyone!!
I am alive and well, though I have been in class nearly 24/7... I feel like I'm back at the University, with 75 page chapters to read, exams, and in-class sessions. SCUBA diving school is a blast! I cannot believe I'm getting certified in the Bay Islands. In between class sessions we play SCRABBLE out on the dive shop's front deck, watching the funny tourists walk by in their fanny packs, goofy hats and even an old man with a GIANT fish purse. Kristen and I are meeting all sorts of peeps through Johnny (JD) and Devin (Devo). They have become our family here, and we have family breakfasts every morning and either cook or go out to the local BBQ stands in the evening. Kristen is reading books like a madwoman cuz she has so much downtime while we are at school. SHe recommends reading "The Kite Runner" and "Eleven Minutes". (Auntie Carla, KK suggests this book to you especially. She thinks you'd really enjoy it!!!! Then you can chitchat about it!)
A theme that keeps arising during our time in Roatan is BEING PRESENT IN THE MOMENT. JD and Devo are both reading The Power of Now and other similar books. It was a theme in Kristen's latest book. And for me, it has been my personal diving ethic . . . to be present in the now. My mom's biofeedback/relaxation techniques have been VERY useful while learning to dive....deep breathing, relaxing, and thus, I am turning out to be resourceful with my air. KK is excited that I am not an "AIR SUCKER" so that when we go diving together, our tanks will last for longer!!! And YES, Jim, the dive company I'm with is very reputable . .. its the oldest dive shop in Roatan with the least amount of drama. My instructor is VERY excellent - knowledgeable, patient, thorough and quite handsome. :)
Everyday we have power outages for extended and unforeseen amounts of time, which has limited our internet usage and made the logistics of living here quite interesting. What I'm trying to say is that PICTURES are COMING . . . but we don't have the camera with us today. So . . . keep checking back :).
Love you more,
Hana T.
I am alive and well, though I have been in class nearly 24/7... I feel like I'm back at the University, with 75 page chapters to read, exams, and in-class sessions. SCUBA diving school is a blast! I cannot believe I'm getting certified in the Bay Islands. In between class sessions we play SCRABBLE out on the dive shop's front deck, watching the funny tourists walk by in their fanny packs, goofy hats and even an old man with a GIANT fish purse. Kristen and I are meeting all sorts of peeps through Johnny (JD) and Devin (Devo). They have become our family here, and we have family breakfasts every morning and either cook or go out to the local BBQ stands in the evening. Kristen is reading books like a madwoman cuz she has so much downtime while we are at school. SHe recommends reading "The Kite Runner" and "Eleven Minutes". (Auntie Carla, KK suggests this book to you especially. She thinks you'd really enjoy it!!!! Then you can chitchat about it!)
A theme that keeps arising during our time in Roatan is BEING PRESENT IN THE MOMENT. JD and Devo are both reading The Power of Now and other similar books. It was a theme in Kristen's latest book. And for me, it has been my personal diving ethic . . . to be present in the now. My mom's biofeedback/relaxation techniques have been VERY useful while learning to dive....deep breathing, relaxing, and thus, I am turning out to be resourceful with my air. KK is excited that I am not an "AIR SUCKER" so that when we go diving together, our tanks will last for longer!!! And YES, Jim, the dive company I'm with is very reputable . .. its the oldest dive shop in Roatan with the least amount of drama. My instructor is VERY excellent - knowledgeable, patient, thorough and quite handsome. :)
Everyday we have power outages for extended and unforeseen amounts of time, which has limited our internet usage and made the logistics of living here quite interesting. What I'm trying to say is that PICTURES are COMING . . . but we don't have the camera with us today. So . . . keep checking back :).
Love you more,
Hana T.
Monday, January 29, 2007
Sea Turtles ROCK!
Still in Roatan, still stormy, but had a few breaks in the weather, where yesterday and today I got to go diving! Yesterday, went down 66 ft for 51 minutes, and saw a SEA TURTLE! It was so exciting! Today went down 90 ft for 63 minutes, and saw huge crab, lobsters, and shrimp. Too bad I didn't have a net! I also found out about sea lice...and got eatin up pretty good on my legs. It stings! Also, the boat ride back we got to swim with dolphins! They were right up next to our boat so we jumped in! It was cool. This afternoon the weather is cloudy and raining hard!
Hana is in the process of getting her diving certificate and I am sooo excited for her! Now I will have a diving buddy in Idaho and we can go exploring the lake! I am planning on going on her last dive in a few days...so I can see how she is under the water!
So, we are still planning on being on Roatan for at least a few more days, becuase Hana has 3 more dives to complete before she is done! Life is great on the island!
Kristen
Hana is in the process of getting her diving certificate and I am sooo excited for her! Now I will have a diving buddy in Idaho and we can go exploring the lake! I am planning on going on her last dive in a few days...so I can see how she is under the water!
So, we are still planning on being on Roatan for at least a few more days, becuase Hana has 3 more dives to complete before she is done! Life is great on the island!
Kristen
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