COSTA RICA - A JOURNEY INTO PARADISE

Hello - Anne H here.

I feel so lucky that I am able to travel to amazing places, meet fabulous people and learn about different cultures.  This was never more so than on my trip to Costa Rica in February. I went with one of my closest friends (not the other Anne this time!) and we chose Riviera Travels' "Caribbean to the Pacific" 13 day escorted tour for our first visit to this beautiful country. We have travelled with Riviera before and were more than confident that they would do us proud and they did not disappoint. On meeting our tour manager, Karen, at Gatwick we knew we were going to have a great time and be well looked after.

Our first stop was San Jose, literally to sleep prior to setting off on our adventure early the next morning. We met our tour guide Josue and coach driver Jose, who were to be with us for the whole holiday, and our fellow travellers who made up our intrepid gang of 25.

Our first day was spent heading to Tortuguero National Park on the Caribbean coast, with a hearty Costa Rican breakfast on the way and our first introduction to the staple diet of rice and beans (gallo pinto) which we got a real taste for. Our transfer to Tortuguero was by boat (see above) a mode of transport that is typical in this area and something we made plenty of use of during our stay - perfect for water-borne safaris as the rainforest touches the water and you can see caimans, crocodiles, monkeys, sloths and a stunning array of birdlife at every turn. Our home for the next two nights was Mawamba Lodge  an eco-lodge set in the heart of the rainforest flanked by the Caribbean on one side and the waterways of Tortuguero on the other.

The village of Tortuguero was just a 10 minute walk away either along the beach or pathway from the hotel. Colourful, with a lively Affro-Caribbean air and plenty of souvenir shops, street vendors and quirky bars and cafes overlooking the waterway, it is most famous for the hordes of turtles that nest on its beaches between July and August. Sadly not something we saw, however by visiting the Sea Turtle Conservancy visitor centre and museum we learnt a lot about these amazing creatures.

More than 1300 people live in this waterway community where there are no roads and the only access is via water or air, making it a truly exceptional experience. I was really impressed by this, my first, experience of eco-tourism and the eco-lodges at Mawamba were comfortable with lovely hammock-adorned verandas and every amenity you could require.
 

Renowned for its navigable waterways, this area has been nicknamed 'Costa Rica's Amazon' and is an abundant bio-diverse wilderness with 100s of species of birds including herons, toucans, kingfishers, macaw and three species of monkey, all off which we spotted on our time there -  the white faced Capuchin, Spider Monkey and the Howler Monkey which has the most haunting cry.

After two nights at Mawamba we set off, initially by boat, in a westerly direction towards Arenal and the Arenal Volcano. We had experienced the extremes of the rainforest's climate in Tortuguero from brilliant sunshine on our first day to rain showers and rainbows on our second morning, followed by a serious downpour. We all thought we had come prepared, but to a man were all drenched! All par for the course in the rainforest and a real immersion in every sense of the word.

Normally you wouldn't see me rocking a 'Dora the Explorer' look but the outfit below was the best buying decision ever. This became my daily outfit whilst in Tortugeuro and Arenal (with key items clean each day I hasten to add).  I purchased the trousers and a number of T shirts from Craghoppers and focussed particularly on their Nosi-Life insect repellent range.  I am a mosquito magnet and apart from taking some serious Deet soaked insect repellent wipe, I credit this clothing with saving my skin. So much so that I only had one bite on the top of my foot. The cotton twill hat is from White Rock and includes bug off, hydro cool crystals and all round sun protection.  I purchased mine from Cotswolds outdoor for under £30 and a very good investment it was too.  The Terradora walking shoes are from Keen and were purchased from Go Outdoors in their sale, another good buy and one I had researched beforehand.  For my time in the rainforest I had a packable rain jacket which was lightweight but provided no meaningful protection, but given the amount of rain I think just a simple rain poncho would have been better and only a heavy rubberised material would have made the necessary impact, which would have been far too heavy with which to travel.

Our home for three nights in Arenal was the beautiful Tabacon Thermal Springs and Spa a 4 star hotel at the base of the majestic Arenal Volcano.

Set in more than 900 acres of tropical grounds it was an incredible hotel with naturally flowing hot springs cascading through the grounds.  This is a split site with accommodations, bar and the a la carte restaurant on one part and the pool, springs, buffet restaurant and pool bar an easy to walk away.

It was a beautiful location to use as our base for the next few days and we had plenty of time to explore the grounds, soak in the springs and relax by the pool.  Our second day there included a guided Rio Frio boat tour through the Cano Negro Wildlife Refuge with a traditional lunch at a local restaurant.  We were privileged to see a rare albino monkey, many species of birds and other mammals on this beautiful stretch of the Rio Frio.

There were optional excursions which included early morning bird-watching and a natural night experience with dinner. We opted for the night experience and in retrospect wished we had gone with the other, although we did see Costa Rica's famous Red Eyed Tree Frog.

Part Two of our Costa Rican journey continues next week where we visit the volcano, the cloud forest and end our journey on the Pacific coast.

CASUAL BLACK TROUSERS

So let's be honest here - Anne C's daughter hates her in this outfit!

Most of Anne's clothes tend to be plain colours.  Because she is short and curvy, she shies away from patterns and motifs, but then sometimes, you just have to have something with a bit of sparkle, and this is just one of those times!

The t-shirt was a steal in the sales of a local boutique, and since mustard is quite popular this year AND it has sequins, it was a no-brainer for her, particularly since she has two trips to Greece planned for later in the year, for which it will be perfect with either jeans or long shorts.

She is wearing the t-shirt with faded black denims bought a while ago from TKMaxx, black sparkly earrings from H&M which were a gift, and distressed cowboy ankle boots by Red or Dead at Schuh which were a surprise gift from hubby.

Anne H is wearing some new jeans from TopShop, the Jamie black flared jeans at only £40.  They are a really great length and they even do them in their tall range if you are even leggier. They are a great fit and are really comfortable.  Lets hope they don't let her down when it comes to the washing. ..... I will keep you posted.

She has teamed with a purple T shirt from Massimo Dutti which is no longer available on the site. It has a really lovely weight and structure to it which means it sits beautifully and includes some lovely gold button detailing on the neckline and cuffs.   She is not a great one for tucking things in, so this length is perfect and although casual it is still quite dressy.    On her feet she is wearing her trusty Kurt Geiger boots that she bought in John Lewis at a discount. They are so comfortable, she tried to get the grey ones as well but they had run out in her size.

A final look at styling casual black trousers comes from Anne C with apologies that this was taken last autumn while the sun still shone!

By adding a few matching accessories it can lift a plain black outfit from frumpy to fabulous!  The top was from a local boutique, the chinos from Florence & Fred at Tesco, as were the gorgeous pink suede loafers - both no longer available - however, there is lots of pink around for the coming season and similar loafers are available here.

She bought the necklace from Itsgoodshopping which she spotted on Instagram (the pink is out of stock but it is still available in silver) and the handbag is Michael Kors from a previous season, but a later model here.

BRUGES REVISTED

When we planned our trip to Bruges before Christmas, we couldn't have known how perfect our timing would be.  While the UK suffered a surprising downturn in the weather with freezing snow and ice, we were enjoying an unseasonably balmy couple of  days - complete with a little sunshine!

Regular followers will remember that Anne C and her daughter visited Bruges a couple of years ago, but Anne H had never been, so we decided to remedy that!

Living in Yorkshire, we were able to zip along the M62 to the port of Hull to catch the overnight P&O ferry to Zeebrugge - and they have some great deals during the winter months.  We went as foot passengers, though you can take your car if you want to drive at the other end.

Our comfortable cabin was complete with wine, crisps, biscuits and most importantly tea - while the adequate bathroom was stocked with Clinique toiletries - perfect!

We bought a dinner/breakfast package which was very reasonably priced, and the selection in "The Kitchen" self-service restaurant was varied and tasty.

We docked early in the morning and a coach took us into Bruges - a half hour drive - dropping us off at the Red Bridge, which was less than a 10 minute walk to our hotel - Hotel Academie, which we can highly recommend.

The hotel was absolutely lovely - and again very reasonably priced since we went mid-week.  The decor was quirky - with the reception area boasting a poster of the film "In Bruges" starring the lovely Colin Farrell, so they are used to British tourists!

Our room was beautifully decorated with large twin beds, a coffee table and a couple of easy chairs - with more tea and a bar of chocolate - of course!

If you have never been to Belgium, it is noted for its chocolate, chocolate and chocolate.  There are chocolate shops absolutely everywhere, and they are always happy to let you have a sample too - it would be rude not to! There is even a chocolate museum, although since Anne C had already visited that last time, we decided to give it a miss and just buy some.

The Old Chocolate House  is a family run business, selling every kind of hot chocolate and chocolate covered waffles - chocolate heaven!  We headed upstairs into the cafe area for a hot chocolate drink which was as filling as any meal, then back downstairs to make sure we bought some to bring home. The decor is very traditional, while the chocolate drinks have a modern twist - a jug of hot milk, a large mug and a chocolate cup which you just dunk into the mug and watch it melt!

The city is incredibly pretty, criss-crossed by the waterways which made Bruges the economic centre of north-west Europe in centuries gone by.  Unfortunately for them, the harbour silted over and the trade ships went elsewhere, but the legacy is of beautiful canals and rivers.

We jumped on a City Tour minibus which for 20 euros took us around the city and headphones linked to recordings in 16 different languages gave us a great overview of Bruges and whetted our appetite for the things we wanted to visit.

There are more museums in Bruges than you can possibly visit in a couple of days - from Flemish Primitives to contemporary art, archeological finds, furniture, silver, a torture museum and even a chip museum - otherwise known as the Freitmuseum in the Saaihalle, one of the most beautiful buildings in the city.

We opted to visit two of the museums, the St John Hospital Museum with its apothecary, and the diamond museum. The Sint-Janshospital is one of the oldest preserved buildings in Europe, and although there are no longer any beds there, artwork depicting how the building would have looked adorn the walls, while chests, cupboards and pewterware are still on show. There is very little to show that it actually was a hospital - most of the exhibits there are artworks rather than medical equipment, and since it was staffed by nuns, who tended to pilgrims, travellers, the poor and the sick, there are many religious artefacts. The  pharmacy/apothecary - just a short walk away and part of the complex - has changed very little since 1634, and features beautiful old jars, pots and jars used by the nuns to administer their medicines.  In fact the apothecary was in use until as recently as 1971. 

The diamond museum was a little gem, if you'll pardon the pun!  Bruges was once the centre of the diamond industry - long before Amsterdam and Antwerp.  In fact, history details diamond polishers in the city as early as the 14th Century. Since Bruges was a very prosperous city, it makes sense that there was a high demand for luxury goods, epitomised by the wealthy Dukes of Burgundy.  From diamonds to exquisite lace, paintings to sculptures, Bruges had it all.

As well as museums, there are any number of beautiful churches and cathedrals for every denomination. The 13th Century The Church of our Lady houses one of the most famous statues in the world - that of Michelangelo's Madonna and Child, which is freely on display.  The church is currently undergoing extensive renovations, so despite notices asking for silence, the  church resounding to the noise of drills and banging!

The centre of Bruges is the famous marketplace - dominated by the 83 metre bell tower.  We actually gave this a miss since we are both scared of heights (Anne C attempted to go up last time but turned back half way up because it was so scary - very narrow vertical stairs with only a rope handrail and people coming down the same stairs as you were trying to climb upwards).  We are told the view is phenomenal from the top, but too much for us!

The market place is very much the heart of the city, and was previously a centre of entertainment.  By that we mean this is where the executions were held - criminals were either hung or beheaded, festivals were held, and commercial deals struck. Nowadays this is where you catch your tour bus or pick up your horse and carriage - very much aimed at tourists.

The historic centre -  the Burg square - around the corner from the market place, are the Gothic the council buildings, the Palace of the Liberty of Bruges, and are a UNESCO World Heritage site. Tucked away in the corner is the 12th Century Basilica of the Holy Blood, a Roman Catholic church housing the blood of Christ, which was brought from the Holy Land by the Duke of Flanders.

Back to the market place, and it is easy to see why it is so heavily photographed - such beautiful buildings, filled with restaurants and bars, and a stone's throw from the shopping district, rich with local lace, tapestries, artworks, perfumes and of course chocolate!

We have given just a flavour of this lovely city - and our trip there was just a flying visit.  There is so much more to see and do - walking tours, beer tours, exhibitions and activities in which you can join, with so many places to eat and drink.  On our last day we found the perfect place to eat, and while we only had time for a toasted sandwich in the deli at the Cafe Cambrinus, we would love to go back and eat in the lovely restaurant Brasserie Cambrinus in Philipstockstraat just a couple of doors away.  Maybe next time....

ATTIRE FOR A LONG HAUL FLIGHT

There are  a lot of things about long haul flights that are trying but if they are daytime and you have the promise of a lovely holiday destination ahead of you and some good in flight entertainment it is bearable.  That is not always the case on a night flight on your way home, when you are struggling to sleep and the cabin temperature is unpredictable. I thought I would share some of my go to items to try to stave off the worse of this potentially uncomfortable journey.

Layers, layers, layers and loose clothing is a must for me.  I often wear jeans, not my skinniest, tightest, pair but rather the loose fit ones that I feel truly comfortable in.  I will team with a long sleeve T shirt underneath in cotton - yep, natural fibres are a must too.  For the top layer I will take a cashmere hoodie, which is lightweight but really warm and I can pull the hood up and hide my potentially dribbling face from the world. This one is from La Redoute who I really recommend for reasonably priced cashmere.

For my feet  I have found these Myria Geox trainers purchased from John Lewis are great. Not only are they breathable so you don't get over-hot feet but they have a zip as well as laces so you can easily take them on and off when going through security and obviously on the flight when your feet are likely to spread.  Wear some cotton or cashmere socks to make sure your feet stay warm.

The next item is something I am going to road test on my next trip which is coming up in a few weeks.  It has come highly recommended from a friend and is the architect designed Trtl neck pillow with built in support that you can position where it suits you best.  I have the conventional U shaped neck pillow but always find that I nod of and my head drops forward so I wake with a start and never truly fall asleep.  The theory of this one is that it stops your head from doing this and cradles it .... fingers crossed it works.  A revolution in my life if it does.  Mine came from Amazon and was £24.95 on their prime service.  I will be sure to let you know how I get on with it.

NEW SEASON NEW BUYS

Winter had been threatening to hit with vengeance in the UK but has only just delivered - with "The Beast from the East" and Storm Emma bringing Siberian weather to the UK. Anne H always breaks out a duvet coat to cope with the chill, and this one (above and below) was purchased in the sale at John Lewis and is from Ralph Lauren.  It features an inner zipped section then a toggle fastening front with lovely stand up collar but no hood.  It is really warm and toasty but not so bulky that you feel like the Michelin Man and a real bargain as it was just £76 instead of the original £270.  Nothing beats the feeling of a bargain like that. The pictures were taken just before the snow fell, so none of the white stuff on the ground!

She has teamed it with black flared jeans from TopShop which are their MOTO Jamie design and are really long, comfortable and reasonably priced at just £40, they even feature in their Tall range for a really really long leg.   She is wearing those Kurt Geiger boots again - they have featured a lot this winter and she even thought of getting the grey ones she loves them so much.  They are in the Miss KG range and are the Spider boot which they also did in tan, some sizes are still available in the sale for £59 including the grey.

Meanwhile Anne C (below) has also been keeping warm with a puffa coat in the Evans sale in her favourite pink (reduced to £40 but now sold out), with a matching pompom hat from Simply Devine Hats to stave off those winter chills.

Her new purchases also include this neutral long top (below), with frilled hem in an asymmetric design, with a long back, which she loves.  She has similar tops in black, navy and grey.  If you find a design you like - just stick to it, particularly if it suits your body shape. It was bought from an independent boutique in the  small Yorkshire town of Cleckheaton.

She has teamed it with stretch jeggings in a matching stone colour, and a pair of fringed suede heeled boots from River Island from last year so no longer available, but similar ones still online here.

Her glorious neutral silk drop tasselled earrings were a Christmas gift from her daughter (similar ones here), while the beautiful cosy wool black and neutral checked scarf was another Christmas gift, but from the other Anne a couple of years ago. Watch by Reclaimed from Asos and still available.