This post is a significant one — the final Photo of the Week from my twenty weeks of Latin American adventures. Today, Anders and I part ways and tomorrow I’ll be flying back to the US. It’s incredibly bittersweet — I’m paralyzed at the thought of saying goodbye to my copilot for the past three months, I’m also undeniably looking forward to the precious time with my family and friends that awaits me stateside. It’s a strange time, reflected perfectly by the knots my stomach has been twisting itself into. We spent our final week in Costa Rica, and our wallets have been thanking us we limited ourselves to that. Costa Rica has been called the Switzerland of Central America, and I can see why. I have to be revived from near fainting on a daily basis when I calculate the colones to dollar conversion. Next week, I’ll be checking in from New Orleans, where I’ll be staying with my sister for ten days. Thanks to my pass to Viator’s Exclusive Parade Viewing Stands, I hope to have some serious shots of the Mardi Gras action! But even more than attending the festival that’s long topped by bucket list, I’m looking forward to laying on the couch gossiping with my sister, eating Chipotle, doing my own laundry, and getting a real pedicure. You know, the glamorous stuff. Onto Photo of the Week…. Photo A 
Riding with Bruce, the amazing character behind Playa Chiquita Riding Adventures Photo B 
Signature shadow shot Photo C 
Recovering animals at the Jaguar Rescue Center in Puerto Viejo Photo D 
Anders’ last portrait of me, in Puerto Viejo Photo E 
My last portrait of Anders, in San Jose
Oh no, that’s so sad that you have to part ways with Anders. But believe me, long distance relationships can last. I am the perfect example, because I have been married to my 2.5 year long distance relationship for 8 years this year!
Aw, happy anniversary Tammy! Our situation is pretty complicated as we are going so firmly in other directions (Anders is starting a degree in Denmark in the fall) but we do care greatly about each other. Perhaps there is a post brewing…
I like a. bandana and machete … hardcore
He was quite the character! We had a great ride and a fabulous chat π
First of all, amazing pics! I think my favorite is C, the toucan is incredibly beautiful π
B is also very nice. You captured the horse very well in the shadow.
Thanks for the votes! I just adore photographing animals π
I love the shot with the horse. Best of luck returning home. I know you’ll enjoy New Orleans…there is a certain level of charm there and it always remains on the top of my list for US cities!
On a side note, I’ll be going to Panama in a few days and one of the things I am going to do is get my Open Water Certification. I have an appointment with a shop, but am second guessing my decision because of reviews I’m reading online. Do you have any suggestions as to dive shops in Bocas town?
Hey Chinye! I only dove with Scuba 6 on Bastimientos. But I did have a friend who dove with Dutch Pirate in Bocas Town and loved them! Hope that helps! You’ll love Panama π
D, love all the colors in there, and of course, you’re pretty as well. π
Thanks Kadri! I just went mad for that wall. What a background!
Photo C – the sloth!
Enjoy New Orleans for the both of us please!
Thanks Colleen! I’m super excited to get there…
I can’t believe your trip is coming to an end! I appreciate all your posts on Ecuador and Peru – we just touched base in Quito!
My picture fav is C – love the critters!
Enjoy Quito, Emily! I have a few more posts from Ecuador coming up this week π
Photo C.. The sloth is my spirit animal haha.
Sloths have a pretty good life, so good choice on the spirit animal π
The first photo of the white horse on the beach is gorgeous. Costa Rica is absolutely amazing. It’s definitely a hard place to leave!
I agree, however I’m glad I was able to tour the country so thoroughly when I was in 2007, before prices spiked and before I had to pay my way 100%! (I was in high school, after all :)) I have been absolutely gob-smacked by the prices here!
My fav is definitely the horseback on the beach one!
Thanks James! It was a beautiful ride!
I choose A, love it! I’m sorry you had to part ways with Anders though. But enjoy being back home and catching up with friends and family!
I can’t wait to see my sister at the airport! I’m so lucky that my loved ones insist on living in the coolest places, too π
Can’t wait to hear about New Orleans! If you can, please let us know if you think it’s doable without a car… my boyfriend wants to take the greyhound bus there for some reason π
Congrats on the completion of your Latin American travels! I’ve really enjoyed it, but also am looking forward to hearing what it’s like for you to come back home after such a busy trip.
Hey Lauren! I will try to suss that one out for ya (I never rent cars as I’m under 25!) but my sister has one down there so we will have that advantage! And I’ll be home for quite a stretch now, so I’ll be sure to get some posts about it up.
While we had a car in NO we never drove it other than arriving/departing. We stayed in the French Quarter and just enjoyed that section of town. We visited cemeteries, historical buildings and ate a ton of good food. There was plenty to do within walking distance. NO also has street cars, and a decant bus system.
It is easy to go without a car in most cities if you are not there for to long and things like food, and historical sites are close.
Bus Stations tend to be in the crummy part of town, so check out transportation to the station. But if you are busing I would consider bringing your car as that is less hassle. Cars have the advantage of carrying stuff. They also give you a much wider range of travel.
I vote D! I hope you stayed at Rockin J’s hostel in Puerto Viejo.
Duh. D
You’re biased π
All great photos but D takes it for obvious reason.
Thanks for your vote Rick!
Today I am choosing two photos, D & E. Don’t feel too sad. I am sure you will be together soon. By the way I have enjoyed your photos from your Latin America adventures. Enjoy Mardi Gras
Thanks Steve, I’ve really enjoyed sharing them! Hopefully there are many more good ones to come π
Aw, love those animal shots. It’s sad that you have to part ways with your partner, but sometimes when we’re moving in the opposite direction from people we care about, all we can do is smile, be thankful for the time had together, and carry that love with us. Happy travels π
That’s a beautiful way of looking at it and on we have tried to remind ourselves of π Thanks for the beautiful comment.
C!!! I absolutely love toucans and am dying to see one in the wild. Will definitely visit that rescue center! Buen viaje mi amiga xo
We were lucky to see some in the jungle in Peru and also in El Valle in Panama. This sweet one being nursed back to health was a beauty as well!
I have enjoyed following your track from Machu Picchu to San Jose and learned stuff along the way.
Thanks for sharing and enjoy NO!
Thank you, Ron! That means a lot to me, and I’m happy I was able to share!
Photo B bc those little guys are the sweetest!
I have a million rec’s for NOLA but here are 2:
The chocolate cookies @ Cochon Butcher in the Arts District.
The handcrafted cocktails/sodas @ Bar Tonique in the French Quarter.
JUST TRUST ME
My sister was just talking about Bar Tonique! We definitely are planning to hit it up, and I’ll make a bid for Cochon Butcher too!
Is that a little sloth in the middle of the trees beside the toucan? Lovely pics! π
It is indeed a sloth! I am obsessed with them!
My friend loves them too! She made this: https://slothsthatlooklikemusicians.tumblr.com/ (Sloths that look like musicians!!!!) Enjoy π
OMG, cute sloth pic overload! Love it!
I won’t even pretend to know I know what you are feeling as your time with your copilot comes to an end, but for me, since that’s the only person I can speak for, what I’ve loved most about traveling is making intense, meaningful connections with people, even when I know we are going in opposite directions in the world. It opens me up to being vulnerable, to feeling deeply, and to being able to say goodbye without clinging to them. I can respect that we might be going separate ways, and maybe we’ll never see each other again, but when we were lined up side by side in the world, wherever and however we happened to meet, we were able to fully and honestly enjoy the time we had together. This can be friendships or romantic relationships; the same sentiment applies. Living like this has taught me more about intimacy and honesty than I ever thought a transient life could.
Your posts on South America have been fantastic reads and have given me a lot to think about in terms of planning my own route and potential future job plans. Thanks for sharing as much as you do and for sharing it so well.
That was so beautifully put, Cortney, and you summed up a lot of my feelings really well. I am trying to find the words to write a post about how we made our decision but it is a tricky one. You’ve inspired me to keep trying π