Dec. 4-Tortuguero National Park by boat and kayak-Costa Rica-Rainforests, Volcanoes and Wildlife with Go Ahead Tours
Day 3 of our Costa Rican adventure (December 4) started early, again, but the only sounds we heard were crickets and jungle night sounds. The howlers greeted us at 5 AM with their distinctive "barking", but that was OK because we had to be up and at breakfast by 7 AM.
On our walk from our bungalow we saw a lot of beautiful flowers.
We met up with Carlos, our boat driver for the day. Today we're traveling in an open boat to see the tree tops better...you'll see why in a minute.
Off we go with our life jackets, cameras and binoculars. Costa Rica is a birders paradise. There are so many local and migratory birds here, it's mind boggling.
Like this Blue Heron who just happened to catch breakfast as we motored by.
The trees begin to rustle and we all look up to where Carlos is pointing-howler monkeys pop out into view.
One of our travelers spotted a sloth high up in the tree. Way to go Martha!
In addition to birds, lots of iguanas are seen on the trees.
There are Green Fishers flitting about looking for fish.
And we heard a Howler Monkey "barking" to let us know that we were disturbing his breakfast.
Across from the howlers are a troop of Spider Monkeys. Including a couple of moms and their babies.
More photos: CLICK HERE
After a yummy buffet lunch at the Evergreen Lodge, we met up with our kayak guide from the lodge, Antonio. He gave a briefing on how to paddle, gave out our life vests and loaded us up. There were a few experts paddlers and a few never-evers.
Most of us were in two-person kayaks. A few lucky ones got singles.
Antonio gives us a few last minute instructions and we head out.
We stop to learn about the mangroves and get eaten alive by mosquitoes. Thank goodness Darlene brought her bug spray and was willing to share it-thanks Darlene.
Sometimes you get to see a Jesus Lizard, you know the ones that walk on water. But this guy was just chilling on a tree branch.
The Capuchin monkeys let us know they were around. This one stuck his tongue out at us...cheeky monkey!
And just as we were heading back to the lodge, were very lucky to spot this Curassow and it's mate, they were pretty well hidden so I feel very lucky to have gotten a few shots of them.
More photos: CLICK HERE
Next up: Boat back to Cano Blanco, a banana processing facility, a pineapple plantation tour and on to the Arenal Region.