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HOME » Travel Journals » I LEFT MY CLOTHES IN COSTA RICA (AND MY HEART)
I LEFT MY CLOTHES IN COSTA RICA (AND MY HEART)
By : Gaye McCallum
Trip Begins July 19, 2008
Trip Ends July 26, 2008
Where do we begin to tell about our wonderful adventure in Costa Rica? It was a once in a lifetime experience. How many people get to see a leatherback turtle baby scoot his way into the ocean, or awaken to howler monkeys?
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July 19, 2008
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Wonderful Costa Rica
San Jose, Costa Rica
Where do we begin to tell about our wonderful adventure in Costa Rica? It was a once in a lifetime experience. How many people get to see a leatherback turtle baby scoot his way into the ocean, or awaken to howler monkeys, or lay in a hammock with a surreal view of the tropical rainforest? My husband and I took risks that people our age most likely would not participate in -- we zip-lined, hiked, and had a whitewater-rafting trip that left us white-knuckled! The birds were incredible -- my husband is a huge bird-watcher and loved his experience with a very knowledgeable and patient guide. Our guide not only knew how to sight birds, he also easily recognized the birds' songs. I enjoyed the birds also, but I especially enjoyed watching my husband -- he was in his element! I cannot begin to tell you about the graciousness of each and every Costa Rican we encountered. They are truly wonderful people who enjoy life to the fullest and want to share that joy with those of us who visit their country.
July 20, 2008
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Leatherbacks at the Pacuare Reserve
Pacuare Nature Reserve
We spent our first few days at the Pacuare Nature Reserve and got to see first-hand the enormous devotion that the people had to save the leatherback turtles. They walk each night along a beach of 6 miles one way to ensure that the turtles and their eggs remain safe from poachers. We were so excited to find a nest that several babies had left and were able to witness the guide digging to find any possible remaining babies, with the help of a seven year old extremely excited girl. When the turtle emerged, it was like giving birth! The little fella made his way, slowly and surely, into the ocean and we all hoped that he had a safe journey.
July 21, 2008
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Pacuare Reserve
Pacuare Nature Reserve
See above
July 22, 2008
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Selva Banito Lodge
Selva Bananito, Costa Rica
The next days were spent at the Selva Banito Lodge. The lodge was very isolated and we even needed to cross a river with a four-wheel drive to reach our destination. Once there, we were in for several treats! The first day, we embarked on a bird-watching journey early in the morning and were astounded at the multitude of birds that were sighted! The following birds and their average size are listed below to give you a sense of what was identified by my husband and our guides. What a treat to see the birds in the wild and then read about them with full color pictures in the guidebooks as well.
July 23, 2008
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Costa Rica is for the BIRDS
Selva Bananito, Costa Rica
Magnificent Frigate bird 44.0
Brown Pelican 43.0
Great Egret 40.0
Anhinga 34.0
Black Guan 25.0
Yellow-crowned Night-Heron 24.0
Chestnut-mandibled Toucan 22.0
Montezuma Oropendola 20.0
Grey-headed Chachalaca 20.0
Squirrel Cuckoo 18.0
Green-backed Heron 17.0
Collared Aracari 16.0
Roadside Hawk 15.0
Purple Gallinule 13.0
Short-billed Pigeon 12.0
Gove-billed Ana 12.0
Pale-vented Pigeon 12.0
Slaty-tailed Tougan 12.0
Strong-billed Woodcreeper 10.75
Northern Jacana 10.0
Clay-coloured Robin 9.25
Snowy Cotinga 9.0
Scarlet-rumped Cacique 9.0
boat-billed flycatcher 9.0
Great Kiskadee 9.0
Eastern Meadowlark 8.0
Golden-bellied Flycatcher 8.0
Fasciated Antshrike 7.0
Palm Tanager 6.25
Passerni Tanager 6.25
Scarlet-rumped Tanager 6.25
Blue Gray Tanager 6.0
Pied Puffbird 6.0
Golden-Hooded Tanager 5.0
Blue Dacnis 4.5
Variable Seedeater 4.0
Not only was the bird life plentiful but we were able to see, identify and photograph things like the 1. Blue Jeans and Strawberry Poison Dart Frogs, 2. Sand crabs, 3. Blue Murpho Butterflies 4. 3 toed sloths, 5. Four striped whiptail green snake, 6. Green Iguanas, 7. a Baby Giant Leatherback Sea Turtle, 8. Squirrel Monkeys and Howler Monkeys plus unusual plants like the 9. Shrimp plant and 10. Hot Lips. Perhaps too many to mention, you just have to go and see for yourself. (Such beauty, color, variety and not enough time to see and photograph it all - see pictures below)
July 24, 2008
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Zip-line Adventure
Selva Bananito, Costa Rica
We were also able to zip line through the tropical rain forest in a manner that was not commercialized at all. Our journey was very serene and I, not being one to care for heights, was able to take this trip and truly enjoy myself because of the beauty of where we were. Not only did I take the zip line twice that day, but also had the privilege of repeating the activity the day we were to leave to go rafting. Not a planned trip, but one of necessity, due to the fact that the river was too high to cross. So, imagine, you witness your luggage going across first, you follow, and then your husband, who is laughing hysterically at you due to the fact he knows that it was a huge fear factor in the first place! That alone will give us many years of laughs!
July 25, 2008
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Pacuare River Rafting - return to San Jose
San Jose, Costa Rica
Our final adventure was the whitewater-rafting trip. Thank goodness for a well-trained guide, as we had quite the adventure. If you take a good look at our pictures, the caption could read, "Now you see us, now you don't" It was an amazing trip, only one of us fell out of the boat and it wasn't me, and we were thoroughly soaked at the end. We changed clothes, put them in a plastic bag, and proceeded to leave that bag on the bus. So, when I say, "we left our clothes in Costa Rica," I'm not telling a tale. We're hoping that they are still enjoying themselves there as much as we did.
July 26, 2008
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Thank you!
San Jose, Costa Rica
Thank you, Adventure Life, for helping us plan this trip of a lifetime!
My Photo Album: I LEFT MY CLOTHES IN COSTA RICA (AND MY HEART)
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