Jungle Lodge Tortuguero

... one at 8:00-10:00 and another at 10:00 – 12:00.  We ended up on the later viewing time and had a local guide by the name of Carla who was a local from 4 generations back. It was apparent she knew what she was talking about, as not only was she a guide but a biologist trained in conserving the green sea turtles.  So we learned a lot about the turtles but also a little bit about the history of the area.

The tour was organized very well as Carla, our guide, was ...

... still wings outstretched drying them off in the morning sun. Its feathers are not waterproof so it has to spend long periods drying out its wings. The word 'anhinga’ comes from the Brazilian Tupi Language and means snake or devil bird. The snake part must be because of its extraordinarily long neck.

Clinging to the underside of a large branch Umberto spotted some Proboscis bats sheltering from the hot sun, we counted about 10 and it looked like some were babies ...

... the right grave and didn't suddenly appear on the surface after any seismic activity. In the villages the houses were much nicer and their gardens absolutely beautiful and full of colour. The plants that can be grown here I had only previously seen as house plants at home. They even have a plant called labios ardientes or "hookers lips" whose bright red bracts do indeed look like a pair of lips as well as beautiful Heliconias and exotic Cannas.

Tortuguero, Limón, Costa Rica jowhiting

... unsafe. That being said, one of the tour members had a camera lense stolen. He talked with Karen, and she talked with our boat captain who grew up in the area. He talked with the locals and was able to arrange for a buy back at $20. A bit sketchy... Over all, the visit to Torgtuguero was very memorable for all the right reasons. It was a mix of education about the local flaura and fawna, mixed with jungle living in a resort style setting. Roughing it in style.

... tänään yliarvioineet ruokahalumme lojuu pöydällä vielä herkkuja. Vastaamme taas luonnollisesti, että olemme lopettaneet, ota vain mitä tahdot. Täman jälkeen poika vielä luvan kysyttyään lappaa kaiken repustaan kaivamaansa muovipussiin - myös puoliksi syödyt palat lautasiltamme. Ruokittuamme ainakin muutaman nälkäisen yhdeksi illaksi, koettuamme nähneemme Granadan ja ostettuamme Päiville eurolla uudet sandaalit torilta, lähdimme järvenrantaan odottamaan lauttaamme ...

... tropical rainforest but the moisture actually comes from the cloud blanket layer that surrounds the canopy rather than the humidity we normally experince. From the reserve we were at there is a lookout to an active volcano called Arenal, its about 2 hours drive away by car. Unfortunately we were completely clouded in so no show for us that day. Celebrated my 25th birthday and started to ease into the Central American way of life - pura vida in costa rica. I'm down with it.

... that had expired perhaps a couple months ago. You would think someone would collect the giant shell, as I am sure they are quite rare. The scales on it's back were starting to delaminate, and the skull layed next to the body. It's flesh had been gone quite a while. After the first mile and a half into the park reserve, I could not walk more than a few meters without seeing some kind of plastic trash on the beach. This was not ...

... at the port of the Tortuguero Canals, Limon, where the 3 yanks, Naomi and I were met by our boat that would take us to the lodge. Though I have never been to Florida (and by earlier outcry I doubt I ever will be allowed through immigration) the boat ride was one that I imagine would resemble that of a trip through the Everglades. We had a nice picnic stop before finally arriving at Tortuga Lodge. Now I hate to sound like some jumped up rock star but ...