Ever since our first trip to Nicaragua, Hope has been dying to go to Solentiname. We figure we are never going to get closer to those islands than we are now, so we arrange a boat trip there for the day.
We leave early in the misty morning with jelly sandwiches and a thermos of coffee and it stays humid and misty until the sun breaks through. Andy has an egg sandwich in San Carlos at the McCafe (no, not the one you are thinking of). There are several stops for military permits along the way.
We pass by an amazing island that is entirely protected for birds. Their noises are overwhelming. The trees are chock full of large nests on almost every branch. We see migratory formations flying overhead with nesting material in their beaks for as far as we can see. My favorite was the Spoonbill with their big beaks and their bright salmon bodies. Hope loves the yellow and rust colored Jicana bird and tried to photograph it so she can make an outfit at home from similar colors including a yellow clutch purse she already has! Art imitating nature!
We travel up the Los Guatuzos reserve of wetlands and I am so glad we took this long side trip. The river becomes so narrow that the amazing birds are on both sides of us and very close to the boat. We spot a beautiful Tiger Heron. We stop to watch large iguanas in the trees, including two males up close wiggling their wattles at each other in a territorial dispute. The males are salmon and brown and the females are lime green.
We make it to Solentiname (which by now we have learned to pronounce) and watch the Montezuma Oropendulo birds making their incredible show of whistling then almost turning upside down on the branch as they bob. A bright Macaw was walking around and preening while the resident cat looked on and simply ignored him.
We stop at home galleries to see the balsa woodcarvings and primitive paintings for which the island is so well known but they have had a large art show recently and are low on inventory. We do watch an artist carving from the large but light wood.
True to form, it pours on the way home in the boat.
Adventure Life has been an extraordinary travel resource for us over the years and today was no exception. Our River Cruise booking was handled by Jess (who has been our personal trip planner for several years) the same day as our inquiry. Suggestions were given for cabin choice and pre-trip options (that were not shown on the cruise line's website) like airport transfers and prepaid gratuities. Trip insurance recommendations followed and we were assigned a travel co-ordinator till the end of the tour. All we have to do is show up! Great service from friendly folks.
APtravelwell
1 day ago
My representative Kevin was very responsive generally and in crafting our itinerary to our specific priorities.
Rocco Labella
1 day ago
Although there was a lot of paper work, I received help and guidance when I needed it.
Donna Kirby
2 days ago
Our travel was flawless! The rider pickup (airport, hotel, ship) was seamless. Jane's recommendation for Emerald Cruise Sakara was everything I wanted but the experience was soooo much more. Adventure Life took care of each and every detail and this was the easiest of all my travels.
Anne Petty
3 days ago
Follow up was effective any questions were answered in a timely manner