Day17- San Jose

There was no Internet access in Tortuguero, so here I am back at hotel Don Carlos for probably 2 nights. I'm thinking of going down to Manuel Antonio Park mid-week, but that depends on how I feel. Otherwise I'll stay in San Jose and do day tours out places. Either way I'll see some things and miss other things. I already know I'm not doing any canopy tours, I haven't heard of any really good experiences yet.

It was an interesting ride to Tortuguero, up over the central mountain range and down into the caribbean lowlands. It gets very flat very fast, and it was mostly cattle pastures and banana plantations all the way. We had to go a more northerly route because of flooding on the more southern roads. When we arrived, we took an open boat for 1:30hrs through some minor canals and rivers ( we even saw a crocodile) before arriving at Laguna Lodge. It was very nice, if basic. When they say lodge, they mean lodge.

Tortuguero was very wet! We had about 2 hours of Sun on day 1 and 1 hour on day 2. Other then that it was always overcast or raining. The water level rose at least 40cm during the 2 nights. The tours consisted of some boat rides through the canals and estuaries to look for wildlife much like Cano Negro, only the park is much much bigger. Other then some toucans I didn't really see much new. The clouds also made for some not great lighting conditions, I think I took less then a roll the whole time I was there.

The best part of the trip by far was the people, couples from Holland, Belgium, Spain, and Israel, and Me. We talked and talked about anything and everything, and it made the whole experience worthwhile. We also had a very enthusiastic guide, who took us looking for baby turtles Sunday in the late afternoon. She dug about 50 holes before finally finding a nest with some live babies in it. Many nests had nothing but death, poor Isabel almost lost her dinner a few times. If we had not come along, this nest would have gone that way as well. The rain had compacted the sand and made it difficult for the babies to get out. As it was we sent 5 little lives off into the ocean. watching them flap their way to the water was amazing.

So that was Tortuguero. Now we'll see what I feel like doing. I will probably stay here tonight, wander around the city tomorrow, and either go to M.A. the next day or stay in SJ and do tours. I'll probably switch up to a nicer hotel for my last 3 nights if I go that way.

RECOVERED FROM PERSONAL ARCHIVES

Posted at 05:54 PM to Vacation By: John Fairley