Bijagua – Liberia

Breakfast was included in this hostel and since I was the only one there, I was treated like royalty. A large plate of fresh fruit, scrambled eggs and toast, and lashings of good quality coffee all hit the mark. All served on the terrace adjacent an immaculately maintained garden. The señora had put out some fruit scraps which attracted two little squirrels and a multitude of brightly coloured birds. It was a very pleasant way to start the day.

I got directions to the bus stop and waited for the bus back to Canas. From there, I needed to catch a bus to Liberia, one of the major Costa Rican cities. I could use Liberia as a base to visit another two national parks as it was cheaper and easier than going somewhere else closer to both. The Liberian bound bus wound its way through the suburban streets for a while, before hitting the Pan-American Highway and then bombing along before reaching Liberia.

I found a hostel and checked in. Then I had a very important question to ask. Midway through these trips I need to find a half-way decent hairdresser to touch up my roots. I used to dread the potential outcome but am much more chill about it now. I mean, the worst that could happen is my hair all falls out… The señora gave me directions to a hairdresser at the local market, however, I think she missed the brief of a ‘good hairdresser’. I punched hairdressers into Google Maps and found a nearby salon with a good rating. I showed her this and she confirmed it was a ‘very good salon’. Thus satisfied, I headed out.

Sirius Salon and Spa was just what I expected – a small salon trying to impersonate a quality hair salon. everything was shabby and the small quantity of product was behind lock and key. My stylist, Leo, was lovely though and after explaining what I wanted, left it in his hands and waited to see what transpired. What did transpire was a quality job with a price tag to match. I paid about what I would back home, but at least I could tick that job off until I got home again.

By the time I had finished, the day nearly was as well so I sought out cerveza and something to eat. A fairly chill afternoon in downtown Liberia but I had plans for a much more active day tomorrow.