Nikki and Matt's World Tour

After six months away, visiting far-flung destinations, tasting exotic foods and lying on tropical beaches, we are now finally home. And it feels like we haven't been away at all... But then Hong Kong does seem like a lifetime ago now!

Our last few days in Costa Rica were great. Dave and Veronika's wedding was wonderful, despite the torrential rains which poured down and forced the ceremony from the marquee outside into a room inside the hotel. But not to be deterred, it was a beautiful ceremony and the bride looked fantastic in her 1950s-style dress. The groomsmen's speech was well received and we all enjoyed a few glasses of plonk to toast the happy couple.

The day after, me and Matt left the wedding party early to get the bus to Manuel Antonio, a tiny beach resort bordering a national park (the rest of the group followed us there the next day). The town comprises of just two small streets lined with cafes, bars and street traders, with hotels hidden away in the jungle behind.

It was glorious. The weather was hot and humid, the beaches were stunning with tropical rainforest bordering the golden sands, and the sea was a warm treat which we freshened up in after hours in the sun. Once the rest of the wedding posse arrived, we all ventured into the national park itself for a trek up to stunning lookout points and to undertake a bit of wildlife spotting. It was hard going, and our necks were aching from looking up high into the canopies but we did actually spot a Sloth! As it's name suggests, it doesn't do a great deal apart from sit in trees all day and eat, but our man did have a bit of a stretch for us, too. We also saw exotic birds and a racoon-type furry creature scampering around the picnic areas.

It had been great, but when we left we had a mammoth journey facing us. Basically it consisted of a four-day epic: A four hour bus journey back to San Jose, overnight in San Jose, flight to Dallas, connecting flight to LA, overnight in LA, and finally overnight flight from LA to Heathrow. We were due to leave Manuel Antonio on Tuesday and finally rock up in Leicester on Friday afternoon. Well, that was the plan and it all went swimmingly until we were faced with horrific customs queues at Dallas airport. We had 90 minutes to catch our connecting flight to LA and we were stood in mind-numbing lines for 60 minutes. We then had to move our bags and go through customs. Needless to say we missed our flight. But there was one helpful member of staff who took pity on us red-faced souls after we'd ran through the terminal only to miss our flight by about two minutes. Instead of putting us on a later flight to LA he actually managed to wrangle us on a flight straight from Dallas to Gatwick! Unbelievable. So we were actually going to land 24 hours ahead of schedule. All I had to do now was ring my mum and dad and ask if they wouldn't mind a trip to Gatwick the next morning...

So here we are, back in the Midlands. It feels strange to be back and it's all so familiar that it doesn't feel like we've been away at all. But then I just have to close my eyes, and I'm transported back to Tioman Island, or Singapore, or Queenstown. It's been an amazing journey and I hope you've enjoyed all these traveller tales.

Hope to speak to you all soon and have a fantastic Christmas!

Lots of love, Nikki xxx