Daily Travel Photo: Crocodile Party
You are the appetizer.
Daily Travel Photo: Crocodile Party is a post from:
The Expert Vagabond | Around The World Adventure Travel Blog
Crocodiles in the Rio Tarcoles
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A group of giant crocodiles sunbathe on the banks of the Rio Tarcoles in Costa Rica, one of the most crocodile infested rivers in the world. These 15ft+ monsters wait under a bridge for people to drop fish or chicken to them. The big ones will occasionally attack cows that get too close to the river’s edge…
Daily Travel Photo: Crocodile Party is a post from:
The Expert Vagabond | Around The World Adventure Travel Blog
Fairytale Magic: Costa Rica’s Rio Celeste
Hidden within the cloud forests of Tenorio National Park, the magnificent Rio Celeste Waterfall will take your breath away.
Fairytale Magic: Costa Rica’s Rio Celeste is a post from:
The Expert Vagabond | Around The World Adventure Travel Blog
Walking to the Park Entrance
Hidden within the cloud forests of Tenorio National Park, the magnificent Rio Celeste Waterfall will take your breath away.
Who knew camping in the pouring rain alongside monkeys & snakes could be so much fun?
Rarely does my mouth drop open dumbfounded…
After doing some of the more typical tourist activities in Costa Rica like visiting Monteverde Cloud Forest and whitewater rafting in Turrialba, I wanted to find an activity that was a little more off the beaten path.
I heard a rumor about a secret waterfall located in the North of the country, and decided it would be worth checking out. It was 5 hours by bus from San Jose to reach the town of Guatuso on the Eastern edge of the reserve. That was followed by an hour long ride in a local bus filled with little old ladies who stared at me the whole way.
Once at the tiny village of Rio Celeste, it’s a 2 mile hike up the steep dirt road leading into Volcano Tenorio National Park.
Hammock Camping in the Cloud Forest
Camping in the Cloud Forest
After half a day of travel, drenched in sweat & ready to pass out, I finally made my way into the entrance of the park and paid $4 to hang my camping hammock in the trees. Access to bathrooms & showers was included, and there was even a small restaurant nearby.
Summertime is rainy season in Costa Rica, and the skys often open up in the afternoons. Luckily I had my hammock set up before the daily deluge began. Although I did scare off at least 5 different snakes in the process. 
The next few hours were spent lazily swinging from my dry cocoon while reading a book and listening to the family of howler monkeys screaming directly above me. Finally I put in some earplugs and fell asleep.
Strawberry Poison Dart Frog
Hiking to Rio Celeste
The next morning I rose with the sun and began my journey into the forest in search for the famed waterfall. It was a muddy 45 minute hike through a scenic canopy of trees alive with curious white-faced monkeys, colorful red poison dart frogs, singing birds, and fluttering blue morpho butterflies.
Not a bad way to start my day.
But the best was yet to come.
I heard the roar of the waterfall before I saw it. Slipping and sliding down the muddy trail I rounded a bend and suddenly stopped cold…
Rio Celeste Waterfall
Was This for Real?
I couldn’t believe my eyes. It looked like something out of a fairytale story. A powerful river came crashing 60 feet down from the trees above into a dazzling pool of turquoise blue water. It created a cold mist that floated through the air around me.
Rarely does my mouth drop open dumbfounded at the beauty of a place!
Standing alone in the middle of an emerald green forest transfixed by this beautiful bright blue wonder of nature, I had another one of those special surreal moments that all travelers long for.
Climbing the Rocks
Time for a Swim
I couldn’t wait to take a dip in that cold water! It felt great after my early morning hike. The intense color of the pool is created by volcanic minerals in rocks underneath.
The rest of my day was spent climbing rocks and playing in the vibrant blue liquid. There is a pretty strong current at the base of the waterfall that pushes you away, so it’s impossible to swim too close to the powerful cascade of water.
A few other people stopped by the falls that day, but for the most part I had this magical place all to myself. To top it off, my adventure was completed with a dip in natural hot springs located further up the trail.
While it’s definitely not the easiest place to get to without a car, a trip to Costa Rica’s Rio Celeste waterfall is an unforgettable experience. 
Watch the Video
Rio Celeste Waterfall Video
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Specific Details
Location: Tenorio Volcano National Park, Costa Rica
Place to Stay: Rio Celeste Lodge
Notes: There are two entrances to Tenorio National Park. The East entrance near Guatuso is more rustic with less tourists. You can camp, or rent a bungalow. For complete instructions on how to get here, check out my Rio Celeste Waterfall Backpacker’s Guide.
Fairytale Magic: Costa Rica’s Rio Celeste is a post from:
The Expert Vagabond | Around The World Adventure Travel Blog
Confessions of a Travel Addict: Gary Arndt
Gary Arndt is one of the most popular travel addicts around. He’s been off-the-wagon since 2007, galavanting around the planet searching for his next fix.
Confessions of a Travel Addict: Gary Arndt is a post from:
The Expert Vagabond | Around The World Adventure Travel Blog
Clearly the Face of a Hopeless Junkie
Gary Arndt is one of the most popular travel addicts around. He’s been off-the-wagon since 2007, galavanting around the planet searching for his next fix.
In fact, Gary was one of the first people who introduced me to some high quality product. It was his bad influence that helped turn me into a fellow travel junkie. He runs a therapeutic website that documents his debilitating addiction at: Everything-Everywhere.com
Gary, now I know this subject may be difficult to talk about. But you’re amongst friends here. Nothing that you say today will ever leave this room.
Share your darkest secrets with us, and let the healing begin…
When did you shoot-up with your first dose of wanderlust?
“My first real trip outside of the United States was during a business trip in 1999. After I sold my consulting firm, I convinced the business that purchased it to send me to their offices around the world. I went on a 3 week whirlwind tour of Taipei, Singapore, Paris, Frankfurt, Brussels and London.”
What made you run away from home to travel long-term?
“After I sold my business I started a few other companies which either had moderate success or didn’t involve my day-to-day involvement. I had no idea what I wanted to do, but I always remembered the trip I took in 1999. I really wanted to do more of it, so I decided to just travel around the world.”
How have your family & friends responded to your unconventional lifestyle?
“Most of my friends thought it was pretty cool and most of the people who knew me weren’t really shocked. I think my family was worried, but when the local newspaper did an article on me I think they became proud. I tell everyone who is worried about this to just do it and over time the concerns of others will turn to pride and envy.”
Has your travel addiction changed you?
“Sure. I don’t think it is possible to travel for 4.5 years and not be changed. I think I’m much more stoic now and willing to accept things which might happen.”
What’s your seediest travel vice?
“Eating at McDonald’s in every country I visit. That being said, there is an actual sociological reason for doing it. Because McDonald’s are fundamentally the same everywhere, the differences which exist really stick out. Those differences usually reflect something about the local culture.”
Can you tell me about your biggest travel regret?
“There are a whole host of places I didn’t visit that I could have. As I can always go back, I don’t really think of them as regrets.”
How do you fund your addiction? Armed robberies? Prostitution? Stealing copper wire?
“For most of my first 4 years of traveling I funded everything with the savings from selling my house and my business. Lately I’ve been able to work more with companies and tourism boards around the world.”
Have you ever overdosed?
“The last 3 months have been exhausting for me. I’ve been moving almost every day and I’m ready to stay in one place for a month or so just editing photos and writing. You definitely have to pace yourself.”
Do you find it hard to relate to normal people who are
clean & sober?
“The biggest issue is having to answer the same questions over and over (What is your favorite place? Don’t you get lonely? How do you afford it?) But it really doesn’t bother me too much. It’s a small price to pay for my life, and they are honest questions. Most people have some deep-seated desire to travel but are either too afraid to do it or feel their circumstances will not allow it.”
If someone wanted to get a little taste of your addiction, which of your blog posts do you recommend they check out?
I recommend they just start following along on my adventure. They can subscribe to my email newsletter or my RSS feed. I’m also very active on Twitter, Facebook and Google+.
Do you think you’ll ever be able to kick the habit?
While I might get an apartment somewhere in the future, I don’t foresee myself traveling less than 6 months a year unless I am physically unable to do it.
Thanks for sharing your experiences with us Gary. I sincerely hope your powerful story can help others surrender to recover from this awesome devastating addiction. 
Confessions of a Travel Addict: Gary Arndt is a post from:
The Expert Vagabond | Around The World Adventure Travel Blog
Hitchhiking & Road Cheese in Costa Rica
Abby and I had stranded ourselves on the top of Costa Rica’s Volcano Irazu, and needed a way to get back down to catch a local bus to San Jose.
Hitchhiking & Road Cheese in Costa Rica is a post from:
The Expert Vagabond | Around The World Adventure Travel Blog
Farming in the Clouds
Abby and I had stranded ourselves on the top of Costa Rica’s Volcano Irazu, and needed a way to get back down to catch a local bus to San Jose.
Because there were still a lot of trucks in the parking lot at the top of the volcano, we decided hitchhiking back would be a fun way to see the countryside.
It’s cold in the back of a pickup truck at 11,000 feet…
Volcano Irazu is not like other volcanoes I’ve visited along my journey. Even though it’s the highest volcano in Costa Rica, there is a road that goes right to the top. This makes it easy to visit if you have a car.
The top of the volcano is often covered with a thick layer of clouds, but luckily we had a short window of time when Irazu’s famous blue/green crater lake revealed itself.
Hitchhiking in Costa Rica
Hitchhiking in Costa Rica
After 2 hours of exploring, we walked away from the parking lot a bit and sat down to wait for a ride. I’ve hitchhiked many times throughout Central America – in Mexico, Guatemala, and Nicaragua.
But this was going to be Abby’s very first hitchhiking adventure. Ever. I could tell she was a bit nervous, but excited at the same time. I was excited for her! One of my favorite parts of travel is embracing new experiences.
Hitchhiking often gets a bad rap. Unfortunately the people who are quick to warn about it’s dangers have zero experience themselves… the armchair quarterbacks.
Talk to anyone who’s done it, and you’ll get quite a different opinion.
The Switzerland of Central America
Finding a Ride
The first 2 vehicles I approached said no. Well, that’s not entirely correct. They made up lame excuses as to why they couldn’t take us. One was a bus full of fellow gringos! The group leader, obviously lying through his teeth, claimed there was no room…
I guess the common local practice of standing in the asile wasn’t an option either? 
Of course I don’t expect these people to feel obligated to drive two total strangers down the mountain for an hour. But I always think it’s funny when they feel the need to make up a reason why they can’t.
On our third try, success! A big local family looked deeply into our eyes, understood that we weren’t a pair of axe murderers on vacation, and let us jump in the back of their brand new pickup truck.
Attacking my Ball of Queso Palmito
Fluffy Clouds & Tasty Cheese
The first part of the trip on a rutted-out dirt road was a bit bumpy, and we tried to make ourselves comfortable as best we could. We soon needed sweatshirts too. It’s cold in the back of a pickup truck at 11,000 feet…
The ride down the volcano was incredibly scenic though, and more than made up for the discomfort. Clouds came rolling into the side of the mountain as we passed farms and small villages.
Locals had set up little produce stands on the side of the road, and our truck stopped to buy some local Costa Rican cheese called Queso Palmito. I got into the action and bought a giant ball of it to snack on for the rest of the ride. Soft, watery, and ice-cold – road cheese was the perfect hitchhiking treat.
At the end of our journey, we thanked our new friends and found a bus into the city.
Specific Details
Location: Irazu Volcano National Park, Costa Rica
Notes: There is a tourist bus that leaves from San Jose and Cartago that will take you to the top of the volcano, if you don’t feel like hitchhiking. Beware of the rapid change in altitude, it’s possible to get sick from it. You won’t get sick from road cheese though.
Hitchhiking & Road Cheese in Costa Rica is a post from:
The Expert Vagabond | Around The World Adventure Travel Blog
Tokyo knows how to do hotel bars. Sophisticated, classic, calming spaces where one can really relax. Twenty Eight is the perfect example. The hotel bar at the Conrad is stylishly if unadventurously designed, decorated in lots of soft, muted colours and warmly lit. The furnishings are elegant and contemporary and the place echoes with the sound of chattering international voices and gentle jazz pi… 
The winners in the gin-, rum-, and whiskey-cocktail categories. 
With all due respect to Riesling evangelist Paul Grieco, there are other summer quaffs worth sipping. 
