In the Jungle, the Mighty Jungle

The crew after the muddy hike on which we saw no wildlife.
Showing off our stylin´boots!
Golden Silk Spider
Getting ready for some bird huntin´
Wonder what this caiman is thinking?
White Faced Capuchin Monkey....soo in love with these fellas!
Green Iguana

June 25, 2011 Tortuguero, Costa Rica….In the jungle, the mighty jungle….

Following up a well deserved night´s rest after the expedition in search of the nesting 650 pound turtle, we walked outside of our lodge room to see what an incredible morning it was for crusing down the canals, in the National Park of Tortuguero in search of wildlife. The West Valley crew loaded an open air boat driven by Juan Carlos and guided by Margel, after applying sunscreen of course, in hopes of spotting creatures alongside the canals. For three hours, we wound through the canals at a leisurly pace, appreciating every moment in this wildlife sanctuary. Margel told us that this country used to be more diverse, animal and plant wise, before the building of the Panama Canal, which split Central and South America. For example, there are only four species of monkeys found in Costa Rica, and upwards of thirteen in South American countries. Before this journey, I had always been suspicious of monkeys, and what they were up too, as I guess many people are seeing that they are known as the ¨diablos de la selva¨, or ¨devils of the jungle¨. However, I think I have fallen in love with these cute little devils, after watching a group of about six White Faced Capuchin Monkeys swinging through the trees, cracking and sucking the juice out of fruit, and listening to the Howler Monkeys make uncharacteristicly loud Gorilla-ish noises for such a small twelve pound animal. The sounds the Howler Monkeys make can be assimiliated to the scariest animal noise you can picture from a horror movie…..just amazing! In addition to the monkey sightings, which at first brough tears to my eyes, for no other reason than it being such a unique sight, we also spotted an array on birds in their natural habitat. We saw Blue Billed and Green Backed Herons, a Rufus Tailed Jacamar, a Toucan, and a Blue Throated Tiger Heron adult and baby. Additionally, we saw several caiman (small crocodile like creatures) floating around the canals as if to warn that they were claiming their space, and a turtle. For not being a self-proclaimed animal enthusiast or knowledgeable about animals, this trip has been inspiring. It felt as though we were cruising down the Amazon, which we were in a way, just the Costa Rican Amazon J.

An afternoon siesta and a delicious lunch, which of course included gallo pinto (rice and beans), we prepared for our afternoon hike. We should have all known that we should be suspicious when they instructed us that we were to wear the rubber inrrigation-ish boots provided by the lodge instead of hiking boots or tennis shoes. So, off we went in our rubber boots, trailing our trusted guide Margel through the Costa Rican rain forest. Mary was the only one who didn’t comply with the suggestion, and decided to brave the trek in her Keen sandals. Two hours after beginning, we ended, up to the top of our knee high boots covered in mud, having seen no wildlife, yet having sloshed through several miles of deep mud. Mary rounded out the group a trouper, with mud up to her knees, and we all posed for a group picture with her posing for her magazine shoot front and center. We all agreed that when we come again to Tortuguero, we may pass up the Day Two optional excursion.

A surprise of the evening ocurred when after enjoying about forty five minutes of live salsa music during dinner, another group leader convinced my Mom to hit the dance floor with her. My Mom was hesitant at first, and I refused to join her, until I saw how good of a teacher Yoni was, and my Mom looked great out there. So, in group leader fashion, I convinced the majority of my students to join as well. The girls were awesome following the steps and letting loose on the dance floor!!! We danced for about twenty minutes, and when it felt as though we were just getting started, the music ended much to our dismay. Such a great ending to an unbelievable day!!! Tomorrow we are on to Sarapiquí!