TRAVELS
Here are some pictures from our bus and boat trip to Tortuguero today.
First, breakfast.
These next two pictures show views of a nationally protected cloud forest we transected during our trip to Tortuguero. In this park we crossed the continental divide at an elevation of about 4,000ft.
Pictures from our boat ride into Tortuguero. The trip took about an hour and at one point the waters were so shallow, a large wood pole was needed to propel the boat.
Roseate Spoonbill
Platalea ajaja
TORTUGUERO
We are staying the next two nights at a hotel in the middle of the jungle that is only accessed by taking a boat through national forest water canals! It is really nice and the grounds are complete with pool, canal access, canoes, hammocks, wildlife, an open-air bar, a beautiful dining complex, and large rooms with jungle view! Check it out!
We were greeted at the hotel with these delicious beverages! Shout out to my San Ramón crew...we finally got a picture all together (well, minus Ben).
FIRST GLIMPSE OF THE CARIBBEAN AND TORTUGUERO VILLAGE
After getting settled into the hotel we were taken across the river to see the Caribbean, walk the beach and see an old turtle nest, and visit the small village of Tortuguero.
Before catching the boat back to our hotel, we were blessed with this breathtaking sunset. =)
TURTLES!
We just saw a female green turtle laying eggs on a beach in the middle of Costa Rica! Wha?!...such an incredible experience!!!
Ten of us USAC students (four from San Ramón and six from Puntarenas) signed up for a $25 turtle viewing tour this afternoon with high hopes of seeing a turtle in its natural nesting habitat. The tour lasted two hours and does not guarantee you see any animals. The way it works is that scouts walk the beach in search of approaching, digging, or laying females and then (or maybe more accurately, if...) they find one the come and tell the guides. It is at this point that you actual step foot on the beach. The guide is the only person with a light and the rays they use are only red in order to not scare, distract, or disorient the turtles.
My group waited under an overhang and watch an incredible lightening show unfold before being summoned to the beach. The rain fell harder than I may have ever seen before! The cracks of lightening lit up the sky and allowed you to see the figures around you and dense rainforest beyond. Between flashes, you could also catch glimpses of lightening bugs dancing about in the rain. Wow, was it beautiful! As I took in the scene I came to the realization that even without seeing turtles this would be a wonderful experience. I was so in awe of the work of God's hand that I separated myself from the group, stepped out into the rain, and began singing praise out loud. I thanked God for his provision over me, his love, his peace, and the great satisfaction I find in him. I offered up my heart and reminded myself of his goodness and ability to bless and sustain me. "God of wonders beyond our galaxy, you are holy, holy...Lord of heaven and earth!" "Let our voices rise like incense, let them be as sweet perfume." "Que puedo decir? Que puedo hacer? Te ofrezco mi corazón completamente a ti." I knew that God could bless me with the chance to see a turtle, but I didn't need it. Sure enough though, God chose to love on me - we were called to the beach within the next 30 or so minutes!
In order to access the beach nesting site we had to trudge nearly a mile in the pouring rain. I did not have a raincoat because I knew that after an hour in the rain it wouldn't matter anyways! Hahaha! I don't think I knew the definition of wet until tonight! I was wet to the core - including my feet, which sloshed about in water that pooled in my rainboots. Hah! The rainstorm made it feel like an adventure and the group was buzzing with excitement as we neared the site.
The female was beautiful! She was nearly five feet long and was glistening and wet after her long, rainy trek from the Caribbean waters.
We we came upon her she was just finishing up her nest excavation. The group huddled in a tight circle (with many giggles and bonding moments) in the pouring rain and waited for her to transition to laying. After about 30 minutes she was laying in full force (dropping an egg about ever four seconds!). It was beautiful to see! Nature at work...
I was able to observe with my own eyes something it seems you only hear about or see on TV. Wow. Truly breathtaking!
Middle of Costa Rica, Caribbean Ocean, National Park, Crazy tropical lightening and thunderstorm, Green Sea Turtle...wow, wow, wow!
Thank you God for the experience of a lifetime. I am now toasty and tucked into bed. God is good and my heart is glad. Marveling at a majestic king and profound author.
RAINFOREST HIKE
As one of our tours today we were guided through the freshly wet and muddy rainforest. Rainboots were a requirement, but not all were lucky enough to have bright homemade polar fleece socks to sport as well. Haha! Shout out to my Mommy...
On the hike we saw lots of wildlife and enjoyed learning about some pretty cool plants as well. My group's guide, Henry, grew up in these forests and had many fun facts and personal stories to share as we hiked.
This tree can actually relocated within its lifetime! The tree produces new roots in the direction it will move and the roots found on the other side rot away. Crazy, huh!?
Here is a picture of the coconut our guide Henry broke open for us to taste. He used the root of a giant tree...no knife, no rod...just straight jungle magic. ;) This was hands down the most delicious coconut I have eaten here to date. It was the perfect ripeness - sweet coco water and moist, thick flesh. Yumm. Yum. Definitely ate enough to get a belly ache, but it was well worth it! Pura vida!
CANAL TOUR: THE REAL "JUNGLE CRUISE"
Today's canal tour was another breath taking experience in viewing God's creation. More than ever before I was able to see the wildlife of this beautiful country. We saw river otters, spider monkeys, white faced monkeys, howler monkeys, little blue herons, egrets, caman, bats, ....
What an amazing array of species and wonderful life experience. It was like being on Disney's jungle cruise, but for real and all in high definition. In moments I felt overwhelmed by this sense that I was living within a National Geographic episode. The things you have seen in documentaries and shows all your life are really out there and I was able to witness them! I saw monkeys chowing down on fruit, swing through the high canopy, caring for their young as they traversed limber jungle branches.
Ringed Kingfisher
Ceryle torquata
Little Blue Heron
Egretta caerulea
Jesus Christ Lizard
Basiliscus basiliscus
The plant life was also astonishing. You can never capture the density, lushness, and expansive green of the rainforest on film. It is truly wonderous. The jungle extends as far deep as the eye can see and your imagination can run wild as you realize you are getting to glimpse only the fringes of a vibrantly alive ecosystem. The plant species are highly various, giving the expanse of forest a rich texture, pattern, and color. Vines drape from the high treetops and touch all the way to the water's surface, flowers adorn the branches and flash in pinks, yellows, and reds. Pollen floats on the surface of the water and creates a mural of swirls and streaks. Water lilies float along at the canals edges and provide places of insects and animals to hide.
It seems that every crack and detail is teaming with biodiversity. Around every corner is a chance to view a new species or capture a moment in absolute awe.
To conclude our tour, we picked up speed and flew through the open water - jungle rising high on both sides, water flipping up from the boat spray, rich canal waters, and expansive skies filled with massive clouds and waning light. I rode home with a grin upon my face and a sense of complete awe at all I had just seen.
DAWN TURTLE TREK
This morning 17 of us (all 12 San Ramónians and four Punaranas kids) woke very early. We met at the hotel dock at 4:30am and took a taxi in the dark over to the Caribbean Coast. As we took off the sky was seen flashing with bolts of dry lightening. Little did we know, this would set one of the most amazing scenes to date. The dim light of dawn and pink-tinted clouds dissected by cracks of lightening and flashes of light. All while thunderous booms of a tropical storm broke the early silence.
As we arrived, the first light of day could be felt in the air and a sweet warmth touched the skin. The whole group was tired but ringing with anticipation and delight. Our mission: baby turtles! We were told these early hours were the time to see the hatching turtles making their grand journeys to the sea. We reached the beach and within several were blessed by more than just baby turtles; we found a mother finishing her two hour laying marathon. She was covering her eggs - flinging sand and dragging moist earth over her fresh eggs. After about ten minutes of standing in awe and exchanging excited whispers between us, the mother turned her massive body toward the sea and began her exhausted trip back to the water. She was slow and labored - after two hours of digging and laying she was clearly worn out. She pulled herself through the sand and left a uniformly patterned trail behind her. By the time the beautiful mother was reaching the Caribbean waves, light was breaking the night sky and pink hues tinted the clouds. It was 5am. Watching this green turtle swim into the sea I could hardly handle the imence sense of peace and marvel. Nature is incredible.
To finish our trek, we scoured the beach for hatching babies. With keen eyes we spotted two little guys and watched them all the way to the ocean. By this time the sky was filled with a soft light and the entire scene could be well viewed with the naked eye. Although my camera was unable to capture the mother's movements, the little turtles were a joy to capture on film.
THE BORDER CROSSING
After a wonderful two and a half days in Tortuguero we traveled down the Caribbean coastline by bus until we reached the Panamanian border.
The border crossing took nearly an hour and a half, but once we were through and on our way to Bocos it was interesting to compare the country to the things we have now become accustomed too "back home" in Costa Rica. The country as a whole appears to be poorer and there is a higher afro-influence in the culture, food, and music than seen on the pacific side of Costa Rica. One of my favorite things associated with this change is the rice and beans, which are made with coconut oil. Delicious, especially when served with seafood (which I ordered at EVERY opportunity). =)
From the border we took a short taxi ride and then traveled the rest of the way to Bocos del Toro by boat (we used boats as our only transport from this point on until we would return on Thursday).
A FEW RANDOM HIGHLIGHTS FROM BOCOS (THE TOWN) & BAHIA HOTEL
Fantastically fruity and fun "piñalada" drink at our final dinner on the island. =)
Delicious coconut chocolate bar! Tasted like fudge and just melted in your mouth.
DAY TRIP 1
ISLA DE PAJAROS
PLAYA DE LAS ESTRELLAS
BOCOS DEL DRAGO (LUNCH!)
RED FROG BEACH
DAY TOUR 2
CAYO CORAL
CAYO ZAPATILLA: The island where the first season of Survivor was filmed!
AFTERNOON SNORKEL COVE
Here is the coolest fishy I saw that day. It literally had multi-toned neon turquoise spots! Unbelievably beautiful and certainly a fish I have never seen before. =)
THE GROUP
Farewell to a great week!
sloracer | October 8, 2011 at 2:28 PM
I'm jealous... except for the spiders.
Hannah | October 10, 2011 at 7:19 PM
Hahaha =)