Golfo Dulce, Costa Rica
As good as it gets! That has been our motto for the past three days. And just as we thought it could not get any better, it does!
We woke up this morning inside the calm waters of Golfo Dulce just outside the mouth of the Esquinas River. We had two choices for the morning; we could either kayak or take a Zodiac ride. Right after breakfast we got in our kayaks and ventured into the mangrove estuary. Whimbrels, willets, white ibis, and other species of birds welcomed us. Those of us who took the Zodiacs could go a bit farther up the river as toucans, parrots, ibis, laughing falcons, and American swallow-tailed kites led our way. Into narrow, spooky channels of mangrove trees we went feeling a bit wary, as the root system of these trees can give one the impression of a ghost forest. As we cruised a little deeper into the river we decided to make it to a giant Ceiba tree and use it as our turn around point. However, a few feet before the Ceiba…movement. Unbelievable! The species of monkey we never see! At least 20 individuals of the rarest monkey in the country: Central American squirrel monkeys! They were as curious about us as we were about them, after the first few minutes of wariness, they decided we were not a threat and they were the ones peeping at us. Their small faces and pink hands reminded us of our own origins and reality. We were not ready to go back until they decided to leave us behind. Foraging for fruits and insects, they disappeared into the bushes.
As we repositioned our ship towards our next destination, we were escorted by a huge school of pantropical spotted dolphins. Leaping out of the water, bowriding and echolocating while following us across the Gulf we reached our afternoon site.
Twenty five years ago, Ron and Trudy McAllister decided to make their lives in Costa Rica. Since then, they have created the most spectacular botanical garden around the Gulf. Various species of bromeliads, orchids, palm trees, heliconias, fruiting trees and many blooming plants greeted us into their dominion. We could not but wonder if we, ourselves, could do what they have done. Move away from all that’s known and common to us and start a new life without it all. What ever we think, we are glad they were able to do so. We enjoyed our visit to their home! Our day could not have been any better!
As good as it gets! That has been our motto for the past three days. And just as we thought it could not get any better, it does!
We woke up this morning inside the calm waters of Golfo Dulce just outside the mouth of the Esquinas River. We had two choices for the morning; we could either kayak or take a Zodiac ride. Right after breakfast we got in our kayaks and ventured into the mangrove estuary. Whimbrels, willets, white ibis, and other species of birds welcomed us. Those of us who took the Zodiacs could go a bit farther up the river as toucans, parrots, ibis, laughing falcons, and American swallow-tailed kites led our way. Into narrow, spooky channels of mangrove trees we went feeling a bit wary, as the root system of these trees can give one the impression of a ghost forest. As we cruised a little deeper into the river we decided to make it to a giant Ceiba tree and use it as our turn around point. However, a few feet before the Ceiba…movement. Unbelievable! The species of monkey we never see! At least 20 individuals of the rarest monkey in the country: Central American squirrel monkeys! They were as curious about us as we were about them, after the first few minutes of wariness, they decided we were not a threat and they were the ones peeping at us. Their small faces and pink hands reminded us of our own origins and reality. We were not ready to go back until they decided to leave us behind. Foraging for fruits and insects, they disappeared into the bushes.
As we repositioned our ship towards our next destination, we were escorted by a huge school of pantropical spotted dolphins. Leaping out of the water, bowriding and echolocating while following us across the Gulf we reached our afternoon site.
Twenty five years ago, Ron and Trudy McAllister decided to make their lives in Costa Rica. Since then, they have created the most spectacular botanical garden around the Gulf. Various species of bromeliads, orchids, palm trees, heliconias, fruiting trees and many blooming plants greeted us into their dominion. We could not but wonder if we, ourselves, could do what they have done. Move away from all that’s known and common to us and start a new life without it all. What ever we think, we are glad they were able to do so. We enjoyed our visit to their home! Our day could not have been any better!
