It would yet again of course present some very twisty mountain roads with the potential for some terrific views, but on this day what we saw were mostly clouds down below.
But first we had to say good bye to the ocean waves of Costa Rica...
So the drive was twisty and slow at times but uneventful, though we did find a make-shift viewing platform by the side of the road...
overlooking a lush valley...
We continued along Cerra de la Muerte until we arrived at the turn-off for San Gerardo de Dota, where we stopped at a soda for lunch.
Casados for mum & dad, burger for Cory...
Casados always include rice and beans - but they are not always mixed together. When they are mixed together, the rice looks spotted, which gives it it's Spanish name of Gallo Pinto - spotted rooster.
This soda had an interesting American Old West Saloon look to it....
From the soda, it was back onto a narrow, twisty mountain road down into the small town of San Gerardo de Dota.
Rockslide to the right, steep drop to the left...better stay in the middle...
until we arrive at Savegre Lodge...
which turned out to be one of our few disappointments in Costa Rica. We had picked this location since continuing on past San Gerardo would have meant a very long day of driving. Plus, San Gerardo is located just outside Los Quetzales National Park...and we'd hoped to perhaps see a quetzal. Plus it does have a reputation among bird watchers as a very good location to see a large variety of birds.
After checking in, we went for a walk, which was very nice but we saw no wildlife except for a couple of woodpeckers.
Perhaps because we had seen so much wildlife so easily in the Osa and in Ojochal, we were somewhat disappointed not to see more. Also, there were 2 busloads of tourists at the lodge...not particularly friendly ones. It reminded us that Ticos are so friendly since we had gotten used to making eye contact and smiling with strangers everywhere, but these tourists wouldn't even make eye contact. The buffet dinner was expensive and not particularly remarkable.
The rooms were rather spartan, and everything looked dated and worn.
So except for the drive into San Gerardo, and this drive back from the trail where we did our walk...
it was a rather uneventful day in Costa Rica...we didn't get to see a quetzal (not that we really expected to see one...internet photo)
but we did expect to see a lot more birds than we did see in San Gerardo. The next day however, would bring more adventure....driving to Volcan Irazu.
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