We headed out early this morning to go on a Jet Ski Tour, sharing the experience with Paul and Wendy from Surrey. It’s a long time since we have both been on a jet ski. In fact, we think it may have been around 96/97 when we went jet skiing in Esperance. A quick van ride to the marina and then a transfer via boat to the station that held the jet ski’s followed. Dan and I shared a jet ski with him driving the jet ski on the first leg. A very quick demonstration on how to use it and we were off. Dan wasted no time (like about 30 seconds) and soon we were speeding at top speed along the ocean at between 60 and 70 km’s per hour getting air off the swell. The ocean was calm and very warm. 
After about 15 minutes we saw what we thought was a dolphin but upon closer inspection realized that in fact it was a humpback whale cruising the ocean with her baby! In Costa Rica none of the normal restrictions in terms of distance that you have to keep away from the whales apply so we got quite close – initially 20 metres away but otherwise not close enough to scare her or get in her way. 
Once she disappeared underwater we would cruise ahead of her by a couple of hundred metres and wait for her to arch out of the water. It was truly an amazing experience and we got to see this beautiful creature for around 40 minutes.
Dan and I swapped drivers position on the jet ski and after a quick intro, we were soon going full speed ahead on the ocean, even faster than the guide. We stopped for a while to follow some dolphins around although they didn’t hang around too long compared to yesterday. It didn't matter as we saw the whales!!
After about 15 minutes we saw what we thought was a dolphin but upon closer inspection realized that in fact it was a humpback whale cruising the ocean with her baby! In Costa Rica none of the normal restrictions in terms of distance that you have to keep away from the whales apply so we got quite close – initially 20 metres away but otherwise not close enough to scare her or get in her way. Once she disappeared underwater we would cruise ahead of her by a couple of hundred metres and wait for her to arch out of the water. It was truly an amazing experience and we got to see this beautiful creature for around 40 minutes.Dan and I swapped drivers position on the jet ski and after a quick intro, we were soon going full speed ahead on the ocean, even faster than the guide. We stopped for a while to follow some dolphins around although they didn’t hang around too long compared to yesterday. It didn't matter as we saw the whales!!
We then made the long trip back to the Jet Ski Base going as fast as the jet ski would take us. Dan was yelling instructions in my ear (backseat driver!!) and before long, we were zipzagging behind the guide in his wake and actually getting the jet ski airborne on its side to the point we nearly fell off. We had a ball and I think our cheeks both hurt from laughing so much. The whale was an unexpected highlight and the jet skiing was phenomonal.
We then had to head back to the hotel to pack. 
We had a chance for a final drink though I think someone might need a bit of help!
After lunch we started the drive back to San Jose, our final destination of the trip.Going down the hill into Quepos, the razor wire reminded us of why we didn't stay in town.
We passed through palm oil plantations now used for bio diesel. 
It was amazing to see the difference in climate as we headed north and then east. From warmth to rain (again) and then into the highlands with lots of cloud before ascending into the central valley to San Jose. 
We spent about four hours in the bus making it back to San Jose just as the sun had set. As we had to be up so early for our flight back to Mexico tomorrow we opted to eat in the hotel with Dana and Sal and an early night. We said goodbye to our group and that was the end of just over two week of Costa Rica. We had an absolute ball!!
It was amazing to see the difference in climate as we headed north and then east. From warmth to rain (again) and then into the highlands with lots of cloud before ascending into the central valley to San Jose. We spent about four hours in the bus making it back to San Jose just as the sun had set. As we had to be up so early for our flight back to Mexico tomorrow we opted to eat in the hotel with Dana and Sal and an early night. We said goodbye to our group and that was the end of just over two week of Costa Rica. We had an absolute ball!!
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