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First Leg: La Fortuna, July 22-24, 200 The Resort: Arenal Paraiso (Page works only with IE)
in La Fortuna, Costa Rica. First night we were lucky enough to see lava flowing red on the volcano Arenal. We took a Cano Negro tour, and saw lots of birds, iguanas, sloths, crocodiles, and monkeys. When we got back from the tour wind blew clouds away and we saw the volcano. It was beautiful. We went out to the town for dinner the second night. Nene's ceviche was wonderful. 2nd Leg: Drake Bay, July 24-29, 2006 We flew from San Jose to Pulmar Sur. From the airport we took a van to the river, and then transported to the resort by a boat. The Resort: Aguila de Osa Inn in Drake Bay, Osa Peninsula. There is no air-conditioning at Aguila de Osa, but the room only had screens without glass windows so that air moved through the room. During the rain it got almost cold. All the rooms are on the hillside in the rain forest and had many steps. It was worth the effort when we found the monkeys were regular visitors there. We saw squirrel and whiteface monkeys pretty much every day. At night we heard the howler monkeys move in the forest. Food was good, and wine was served with dinner. June through November is their rainy season, and it rained every single day. However it was mostly in the afternoon so we managed to go out on tours in the morning. Focus of the leg: Rainforest We went to a rainforest hike at San Pedrilo Station in the Corcovado Natl Park. Tony, the guide was so concerned about Ayako's hiking ability that he did not want to take us to the falls. The late morning rain granted his wish and we did not hike the trail for the falls. Carlos, the activity coordinator of the resort was also a competent birder and we took a mangrove tour with him. He found lots of animals and birds. Abundance and diversity of life in Osa Peninsula was much better than in North. Including lunch at the restaurant this tour was worth the $$. We were supposed to dive one day, but Kyoko got sick and we missed diving. Oh, well maybe next time. |
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