Playa Caletas and Corcovado National Park, Osa Peninsula
National Geographic Sea Lion had navigated during the night around the Osa Peninsula. At the crack of dawn, an overcast day revealed the landscape of this peninsula. Lush forests, still covered with low clouds, invited us to the deck in order to enjoy the sunrise.
It was a good morning for taking photos of this remote area. This pristine area of Costa Rica is only reached by boat or on foot. We all were eager to go and explore the area but first we had to charge our batteries with a healthy breakfast.
Right after this meal, we grabbed our gear and went ashore. Several options were offered. It was hard to choose between horseback riding and hiking through the forest. Finally a group of horseback riders took off along the beach while others went to explore the forest.
It was just spectacular scenery that we enjoyed as the horses passed along the beach. As we got deep in the forest, the call of scarlet macaws gave us the welcome. The scarlet color was hard to miss. Many other birds also joined the song. Our concentration was interrupt by the wild sound of a troop of white-faced capuchin monkeys foraging.
As the horseback riders continued their march, a lonely coati climbed up a tree and spied on them. Another sound called the attention of the riders and it was a pack of white-collared peccaries that passed in front of the trail. No doubt about how pristine this area is.
A delicious picnic lunch prepared by the galley was waiting for each explorer as they return from their adventure. The comment of how great the morning had been was the common topic at lunch. We then headed towards our next destination, Corcovado National Park.
As the ship approached the park, the sky began to get darker. The rain began to fall. This did not discourage our explorers! With the rain, it gave a real sense of a tropical rain forest. As they landed in the ranger station of San Pedrillo, it rained harder. A troop of spider monkeys greeted them as they made their way to the trail. Regardless of the heavy rain, the joy could be seen in each one who decided to make this walk.
It has been another great day of the trip!
