Relaxing in the natural wonders of this world...

Costa Rica has been a total turnaround to the experience I had in Cuba.
This country is all about its natural environment, and makes a big effort in ensuring sustainability is at the top of its agenda.
And, it embraces everything American, including its tourists, fast food chains, TV programs and advertising, and more.
I have thoroughly enjoyed my few days here, and wish I could upload some of my photos and videos to share... but it will have to be another time, when I return home.
Some of the highlights include walking through and ziplining over the canopies of the Monteverde-Santa Elena cloud reserves and rainforests; canyoneering down waterfalls; seeing lava flow out of a volcano; seeing so many wildlife and birds in their natural habitat enjoying life; interacting with locals, experiencing the food, music and culture; meeting other travellers; and seeing the contrast in Costa Ricas natural beauty when I went to the Coast.
My last day in CR was in Manuel Antonio, which included having lunch at Si Cono Mo, overlooking the beautiful Pacific Coast. The place is a hotel, totally focused on sustainability... fascinating, inspiring, and should be a role model for similar instutitions around the world. It is a member of the Green Hotels of Costa Rica and is all about being in harmony with nature...

My next destination will be all about nature but in a different way I think, so lets see. I would have never thought of coming to Costa Rica as a holiday destination until my Mexico plans had to change... and throughly encourage others to come and see this wonderful country.
Note however, no need to experience San Jose, except as a transit stop.

Seeing CR in five days was a challenge, so relaxing as the term defines was hardly on the cards... still, my mind is at ease from these wonderful and natural experiences. Cant wait to see what lies ahead... and hope I one day get to come back here too.

Things aren´t always as they seem...

The society we live in often dictates how we perceive things...

whether it be what an object is, how a country operates or how people should interact.

I have discovered in Cuba that chicken isn´t necessarily chicken, men aren´t necessarily polite to women, and that what the media in Australia and other western countries portrays about various situations around the world may not necessarily be the case.

For example, the swine flu is a problem but Mexico is still an okay place to travel right now.

Similarly Cuba, and the fact that although it is a communist country, the people here actually like having Castro as their leader and see no need for change. They don´t see it as a dictatorship, and are very proud of the revolution and its 50th anniversary celebrated recently.

I guess my message here as I am running out of credit at the internet station at the post office in Santiago de Cuba... is that it´s important we don´t always listen to what people tell us or simply accept it at face value. Creating our own opinions and seeking opportunities to explore beyond the surface is important too. And, that whether it be interactions with people, media reports or even personal experiences, ´things aren´t always as them seem´.