Life as James knows it

Originally called "El Burío", La Fortuna was founded in the mid 1930s by settlers that came from Ciudad Quesada, Grecia (canton), Alajuela and other parts of the region.  In 1968, the Arenal Volcano erupted to the west, killing 82 people. The eruption did not touch the village of La Fortuna.  It is now one of the most visited touristic destinations of Costa Rica.  Arenal Volcano as seen from downtown La Fortuna Another angle ... Crushing the sugar from the cain ... another organic farm. Baldi Hot Springs resort - I did take a visit.

A small town in Puntarenas, located in the Cordillera de Tilarán, considered a major ecotourism destination in Costa Rica. Some spectacular food, coffee ... a great little town!  Plenty of locals ... Some yummy ... This coffee house was the best - Beso Espresso & Roasters Also make the best brownies ... Aventura - Zip Lining

Playa San Juan del Sur, a beautiful fishing village turned tourist town boasts surfing, fishing, affordable hotels and good food variety enveloped by natural splendour. Ceviche and mojito time ..... yet again!

Maderas With a height of 1,394 metres, Maderas is the smaller of the two volcanoes which make up the island of Ometepe, situated in Lake Nicaragua in Nicaragua, Central America.  Unlike Concepción, the other volcano on the island, Maderas has not been active in historical times. Its crater contains a crater lake. The slopes of Maderas are one of the few places on the Pacific side of Nicaragua where cloud forest grows.  Cloud forests are characterized by a rich plant and animal life, made possible by the high levels of humidity in the climate.  Prehistoric petroglyphs have been found at the Maderas volcano. Myself and 3 Swiss friends decided we'd take the 10 hour climb up and down Mederas.  These guys liked hiking (they're Swiss), and they were all in their 20's .... so I was looking forward to a steady paced climb.  We were all advised to bring at least 3 litres of water each ... I packed 4.5 litres! Departed at approximately 5:30am.  At about 100 metres elevation

Isla de Ometepe, Nicaragua The largest island in Lake Nicaragua, Ometepe is formed by two volcanoes rising from the lake.  Its name derives from the Nahuatl words ome and tepetl, meaning two mountains. Boarding what can only be described as a boat that looks like a refugee vessel I see in the news sometimes. Approaching the Island, looking quite spectacular. Sunset at night ... Fire by the water edge ...

Granada Founded in 1524 by Francisco Hernández de Córdoba, ostensibly the first European city in mainland America.  Granada was not only the settlement of the conquest, but also a city registered in official records of the Crown of Aragon, and the Kingdom of Castile in Spain. Laguna Beach Club, Laguna de Apoyo - Warm fresh water swimming.