Friday July 15

Ansel Adams in Training

Today was a hard travel day - but well worth the effort.  Davis and I got up early and walked through the gardens at the Hotel Bougenvillea.  Davis became an avid photographer after I taught him how to use the camera.  Subsequently, every plant, insect, frog, statue, and bird needed to be photographed.  The gardens were worth the early exit from bed. 

"Airport" at Palmar Sur

We were picked up from the hotel and dropped off at the airport to board our 12 passenger plane from San Jose to Palmar Sur.  After flying over the mountains we headed south with the Pacific Ocean to our right and the green peaks of the mountains to our left. Landing at the airport in Palmar Sur was smooth.  When I say “airport,” I am being generous with the term airport.  The open air shack somehow supported two airlines and a “security guard” who seemed to serve no purpose at all.

White Faced Monkey

Tara catching some "zzz's"

We met our guide Bryan at the airport and we piled in a van for a 25 minute trip through palm tree farms to the boat dock in the town of Sierpe.  After loading all the boats, we traveled down the Sierpe river.  We saw a troop of white faced monkeys along the banks of the river.  One of the white faced monkeys came scream at us to show us his “territory.”  He then proceeded to another branch and proved he was the “king of the jungle” by mating with a female.  

Forrest Runner Snake

Diverting to a small canal, we traveled through the mangroves and spotted a snake called a forrest runner.  it was black, about 5 feet long, and is supposed to be very speedy on the floor of the jungle.  Of course, my little herpetologist Davis was thrilled!

After exiting the river into the ocean, we traveled across Drake Bay for at least 50-60 minutes.  A rough ride mixed with rain.  We passed by an island which was the nesting ground for a number of birds including the brown booby, ibis, frigates, and pelicans - all of which were spotted.

Davis' Capture of a Baby Basilisk

Arriving at the hotel with a beach landing, we were taken by tractor up to the top of the hill where we were greeted by hotel management and shown to the bar where we were given the most delicious tropical drink.  Lunch was brought to our table - a long plate with grilled fish, rice, a heart of palm salad, and a mix of pickled vegetables.  YUM!

Our bungalow is huge.  We have two interconnected rooms each with a living room and a bedroom.  The hotel is eco friendly, so no a/c, limited hot water, no hair dryer or coffee pot.  Nonetheless, it truly is luxury in the jungle.  

Dinner is served at 7pm and all the guest eat at that time.  A horn sounding like it is blown from a seashell lets us know dinner is served.  Appetizer included ceviche and a tomato stuffed with lentils and bacon.  I had a mango stuffed chicken for dinner and the others had shrimp in guava sauce.  Pretty good, but a little sweet for all of us.  To complete the meal, pineapple upside down cake which was, of course, sweet.

Animals spotted today - frogs, forrest runner (snake), white faced monkeys, spider monkeys, squirrel monkeys, frigates, pelicans, black ibis, brown booby, basilisk (Jesus Christ lizard), red grasshopper, flycatcher (bird), green parrot, scarlet macaws, turkey vulture, bats, and coati (mammal like a raccoon with a long prehensile tail).