Costa Rica is an an anomaly among Latin Countries often plagued with dictators and autocrats. It has been a democracy since 1899. The east side is flanked by the Caribbean and the west by the Pacific Ocean. In the rainforest near Poas Volcano hummingbirds flit from blossom to blossom like hungry, magical fairies. This Purple-Throated Mountan Gem pauses for just a moment.
A much larger bird is often spotted in trees in many parts of the country. Toucans are fascinating, colorful birds, looking like something from a Disney movie. This Keel-Billed toucan looks like the bill would hinder it from flying but it's very light, made of keratin.
Arenal is an active volcano about 60 miles northwest of the capital, San Jose. From 1968 up until its last eruption in 2010, lava, gas and ash were frequently seen by visitors.
Three-toed sloths live in trees and move very slowly. They come down from the canopy once a week to void on the floor of the forest. They can live 25 to 30 years.
There are hundreds of waterfalls in Costa Rica. One lovely one is only a 30-minute drive from the International Airport in Liberia. Llanos del Cortez is beautiful with its pool below that invites swimmers.
Iceland started forming 20 million years ago after several volcanic eruptions. The Ice Age ended about 10,000 years ago and during that period the fjords, icefalls and valleys were formed. It was settled in the late ninth century by Viking explorers. The language used today is based on Old Norse. By current estmates there are 10,000 waterfalls in this country that is about the size of the state of Kentucky. Skogafoss is one of the prettiest waterfalls. It's on the Skoga River in the south of Iceland and falls off cliffs that eons ago marked the coastline which has now receded about three miles away.
The Great Geysir is a geyser in southwest Iceland. It was the first one ever seen by Europeans and the name was derived from an Icelandic word "geysa" meaning "to gush".
Icelandic horses look more like ponies and are descendants of ponies brought from Norway in the 9th and 10th centuries. They are sturdy five-gaited horses and protected, as no other breed of horses may be introduced into Iceland.
Glaciers make up 11% of Iceland and there are 269 that are specifically named. Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon is a fascinating place to explore by boat. Huge icebergs float around after they've broken off from Breidamerkurjokull Glacier.
Gullfoss or Golden Falls is located in the canyon of the Hvita River in southwest Iceland. It averages 5000 cubic feet per second plunging down the fall in the summer.
