A TRIP ROUTE
INTERESTING STORIES
Poland has never been a maritime country, and our compatriots did not emigrate until the fall of the Polish state in 1795. Poles arrived in Central America only in the nineteenth century, and the first known information about our compatriot was the stay of Karol Beneski in Guatemala and Nicaragua in the years 1824-26, who was a representative of a company involved in the construction of a canal connecting the Pacific with the Atlantic, running through Nicaragua. Another famous Pole in Central America was the traveler and geologist Paweł Edmund Strzelecki who conducted research in Costa Rica, El Salvador and Guatemala. In 1844, the outstanding Polish traveler and botanist Józef Warszewicz came to Central America, where he made a floristic expedition for the Berlin Horticultural Society. Aleksander Hołyński, a traveler, Juliusz Słowacki's poet and friend stayed in Panama in the years 1850 and 1851, and after returning, he published a work in which he pointed to this country as the best site to build a canal connecting the Atlantic and the Pacific. In the mid-1870s, Józef Konrad Korzeniowski, a marine writer known around the world as Joseph Conrad, made three trips to Central America as a simple sailor on sailing ships. In turn, in 1877 the vegetation of Costa Rica was studied by Henryk Polakowski, the author of the allegedly first scientific work on the flora of Central America. marine writer known to the world as Joseph Conrad. In turn, in 1877 the vegetation of Costa Rica was studied by Henryk Polakowski, the author of the allegedly first scientific work on the flora of Central America. marine writer known to the world as Joseph Conrad. In turn, in 1877 the vegetation of Costa Rica was studied by Henryk Polakowski, the author of the allegedly first scientific work on the flora of Central America.IT IS WORTH KNOWING
While traveling in Costa Rica, I often heard the familiar-sounding words "pura vida" uttered in various situations. This distinctive Costa Rican phrase literally means "clean life", with connotations that suggest translations such as "full of life", "this is life", "going great" or "real life". The phrase is used both as a greeting and goodbye, as a response to say that everything is going well, and as a way to show appreciation. In modern usage, a saying goes beyond simple translation, it is a way of life. It is a perspective in life that evokes a spirit that is carefree, laid back, and optimistic. According to Víctor Manuel Sánchez Corrales of the University of Costa Rica, the origin of the phrase is Mexican. It is believed, that it comes from the Mexican movie "Pura vida" in which the main character, played by Antonio Espino, used the word "pura vida" in situations where it would not normally be used, and the Costa Rican adopted the phrase using it in a similar way. The phrase was formally incorporated into dictionaries in the mid-1990s and has since become an unofficial but ubiquitous Costa Rica motto.January 2018
This year I was close to visiting Brazil and Argentina, which I had dreamed of for a long time. Due to unfavorable departure dates, I decided to go to Central America. I was planning to visit all the countries, but as always, I was running out of time.
Untouched nature and magnificent views fully compensate for the lack of monumental monuments similar to Mexico or Peru. But if someone has the soul of a traveler, he will certainly appreciate what these countries offer. Contrary to the opinions lingering in Poland, Panama and Costa Rica are not as poor as we think, and our capital city could certainly envy them their impressive skyscrapers. Anyway, in Panama I felt like in the states, because the US dollar is a commonly functioning currency there. On the other hand, Nicaragua resembles typical South American countries.PANAMA
Panama City
There are plenty of atchitectonic gems from the colonial times in the historic center of New Panama. A walk through the narrow streets of Casco Viejo was a real pleasure, but the most delighted me was the magnificent golden altar from the 17th century located in the San Jose church. On the other hand, Old Panama, despite being inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, did not impress me much.
Panama Canal
Built at the beginning of the last century, the Panama Canal is one of the most important waterways in the world. However, its future does not look rosy, thanks to the melting ice of the north, which may open a hitherto inaccessible isthmus through the Baffin Sea. Although I only saw the Miraflores Lock, watching the huge container ships crossing the canal was an unforgettable experience.
Chagres National Park
Chagres National Park is known for the richness of tropical fauna and flora, but its greatest attraction, which attracts tourists like a magnet, are the Embera Indians. I must admit that I also went to the Chagres River to see with my own eyes people living in the middle of the rainforest. The Embera Indians looked fantastic in their colorful costumes, but there was a pervasive commercialism around.
COSTA RICA
Manuel Antonio National Park
Manuel Antonio National Park, located on the Pacific Ocean , is one of the most visited places in Costa Rica due to its beauty and accessibility. And no wonder, because the wide, white beaches and the jungle cliffs towering above them can delight everyone. Unfortunately, the animals were apparently hiding from me and I was able to observe only the Capuchin monkeys that reigned in the upper parts of the trees.
San Jose
The capital of Costa Rica, San Jose is not a very attractive city, which was founded in the middle of the 18th century. I decided to stay here because of a good base for nearby attractions. There are many buildings from the colonial period in San Jose, but what impressed me the most was the Jade Museum located in a building with an innovative architectural shape.
Tortugero National Park
During the trip to the Tortugero National Park, the weather was not spoiling. But as our rainforest guide jokingly put it, it's something completely natural. Despite the bad weather, a trip to the marshy jungle on the Caribbean coast, cut with ribbons of canals, was an amazing experience. The most delighted, however, was the sight of an iguana lounging on a fallen tree trunk.
Irazu volcano
Lying in the Central Cordillera, Irazu is the highest active volcano in Costa Rica. When I saw the mist rising above the crater on arrival, I almost cried out with anger. Fortunately, after several dozen minutes the wind did its job and my eyes saw the main crater filled with a green lake. On the way back, I visited the city of Cartago, which was twice damaged by a volcanic eruption.
Rainforest
I really wanted to see the rainforest from the position of the treetop animals, so when the opportunity arose, I eagerly took advantage of it. The guided walk, who showed me the animals hidden among the leaves, and the gondola ride completely satisfied me. The opportunity to see the jungle from a different perspective was an unforgettable experience, although the birds above were like medicine.
NICARAGUA
Ometepe Island
Ometepe Island in Lake Nicaragua just amazed me. The active volcanoes of Concepcion and Maderas, which form it, are most picturesque from the ferry running between the island and the mainland. Visiting Ometepe on a scooter, I felt almost like the author of "Motorcycle Diaries". Life moves at a lazy rhythm here, and I delighted to let myself go along, savoring the little pleasures.
Granada
Granada is certainly one of the most picturesque cities of Nicaragua. Romantically located on the waters of Lake Nicaragua at the foot of the Mombacho volcano, it charmed me with its pearls of colonial architecture. The churches of La Merced and St. Francis, while the fabulously colorful old town delighted me with the richness of colors and shades, which became even more intense in the late afternoon.
Masaya volcano, Managua
The opportunity to see the active Masaya volcano with my own eyes was a hail I couldn't miss. Add to that the fact that the tour was supposed to take place at night, I was prepared to pay whatever price. Due to the poisonous fumes, the stay above the crater lasted only 15 minutes, but what I saw is nothing to compare with. The later night walk around Managua was only a faint reflection of my previous experiences.
Leon
When I saw on the internet pictures of tourists walking on the roof of the Cathedral of Our Lady of Grace in Leon, I knew immediately that I had to visit this place. This Unesco-listed pearl of Ibero-American architecture from the turn of the 18th and 19th centuries is one of the largest buildings of this type in Central America. A stroll among the shining white domes and attics and the beautiful panoarama of the city of Leon simply knocked me off my feet.