I REALLY tried to get my vacation blog done by yesterday as today is Monday and I leave for work in 30 minutes and for some insane reason I am also working Wednesday this week. But going through 2 weeks mail and paying bills took longer than expected and then it was time to watch Ecuador beat Qatar in the World Cup Opener…..
Tuesday was my last full day in Costa Rica, I was muy triste. I was heading off to the Hacienda Pozo Azul at 8am for another adventure activity but still had time to get in a short morning hike.
There were a lot of clouds above the Poas Volcano to the west at 5:30am but also some blue sky visible north and south. Coffee and a Clif Bar was breakfast before I headed out.
Since I had already done all of the trails on the resort property I decided today to redo the nicest part of the Rio La Paz trail and then visit one or two waterfalls also.
The Rio La Paz was again awe inspiring with its magical strong flow through the jungle. So many shades of green from the moss, leaves, vines, etc.
The path ascended and gave a nice overlook of the river when the trees were not too thick, and when I couldn’t see it I could still hear the river. I had probably taken the exact same picture last time on this path but couldn’t resist those bright red flowers in the foreground of shot. Just as I snapped it I heard a noise to the right and assumed another bird I wouldn’t be able to see but as I turned I saw…..This very cute creature was heading down the path towards me but quickly changed directions and then walked into the underbrush. I was lucky I had my camera app open already or else would have just gotten several photos of his retreating rear end. I had no idea what he was having not seen one anywhere in my Costa Rica guidebook or depicted elsewhere.
For some reason “bandicoot” was in my head but I googled that and it is a smaller, less hairy creature from Asia. I entered the image into the iNaturalist app and found out it is a Coati. White nosed Coati or Coatimundi to be precise. Relatives of Raccoons but bigger and fluffier.
Article says some that were illegally kept as pets have escaped and formed breeding populations in Florida. Maybe they will replace the raccoons that the invasive pythons have almost eliminated from the Everglades (seems these guys must be more used to escaping pythons).To get from the Rio La Paz trail to the Waterfall trail I had to cut back briefly through the La Paz Waterfall Gardens area with the animals, restaurants, etc. I had seen on the map that there was a “Casita”, traditional farmhouse of Costa Rican 19th century but hadn’t really considered it a “must see”. But from a distance I heard an animal sound and …..I got to say hi to Princesa and she even let me pet her!It was a whole family farm recreated in great detail.Sansone and Hercules. Hearty looking Oxen. I read in my CR history book that Oxen were used to pull the carts full of Coffee beans from all over the country to the main port on the northern pacific coast for shipping. North to the US or South around to Europe (pre-Panama canal and I guess no good ports on the Caribbean side?)The Casita was basically one large room with a kitchen in one corner and beds in another corner. It was very nicely recreated and I learned that during the day they had reenactors serving lemonade and traditional snacks and describing the history.I said “buenos dias, que tal? Mucho leche hoy?” He said si.Interesting, I had noticed lots of Pine trees at the higher elevations.There was also a rabbit hutch but my photos didn’t come out very well. I love all animals…..but not that many people.
On the way to the waterfall trail I passed through the Orchid gardens.
Back on the paved path to the waterfalls.My waiter at dinner had mentioned there had been a wedding. What a setting for the ceremony! The flower petals and bouquets were still there. I guess they are biodegradable:) The shirt (that I designed years ago for the club) is missing “take a minute to appreciate the present”.I set up my selfie stick tripod.The 10 second timer on iPhone not quite enough time for first try 🙂On the way back to my room I swung past the Jungle Cats but they were all sleeping.Looks like they had a big dinner!The Pumas seemed like light sleepers, they always kept an eye on me.I also visited the Butterfly exhibit (Mariposa en espanol). I only saw a few though and wondered if maybe they hadn’t released many as not the peak tourist season yet. I did see a lot more Blue Morphos (huge!) once I realized that while at rest they usually displayed only their brown bottom sides with the fake “eye”s to trick birds.Pablo told me later that there were very few butterflies out early in the morning and I should try again when the sun higher in sky and they emerged from sleeping spots.Time for one more cup of Costa Rican Cafe before heading out.I didn’t take many photos on way to Hacienda Pozo Azul as second time driving there.Another cemetary with above ground crypts, too much rain for underground burials. We hit some rush hour traffic. Buenos dias senor vaca.Just another amazing plant at the Hacienda.
I was the only tourist this morning for the zip line adventure. I met this cute guy while gearing up. I asked “como se llama” and they said they didn’t know, he just evidentally shows up every day from a nearby house to beg for food from tourists and get his belly rubbed.
For the zip lining I must have overdone my Spanish because when we got to the first tower and it was time for instructions they were all in Spanish. I got about 60% of what he said, I kept saying “si” and nodding. I shot GoPro footage of most of the 10 zip lines and will have to make a Vimeo movie later. Maybe one movie for the Horse/Rafting/Zip Lining and then one for Surfing and one for Snorkeling.
This was the younger guide, he spoke excellent English but preferred Spanish, the older guide spoke only Spanish, he took great photos on my phone and his (he WhatsApped them to me later). There were twin lines so you were always double attached. One guide always went across first, then me, then the other one. It was super fun and as the only person it went quick since didn’t have to wait for many others to come across one at a time.The guide pointed out the names of many trees and plants and birds, we heard Howler Monkeys and saw moving branches but didn’t really see any. This is a Mahogany tree.A Walking PalmBambooThis vine is full of water, good to know if lost.A couple of places we hiked for 5 or 10 minutes, quite hot and humid in the jungle , the guide said to watch my step and to look out for “serpientes “.Bullet ANT, at least an inch long…. Googled them and they have a stinger on rump that is extremely painful for up to 24 hours after but “not deadly”. Only the second largest ants in world. An Amazonian species in Brazil can be up to 1.4 inches long. Glad I didn’t wear flip flops!I thought I was just not understanding the Spanish when they told me to go upside down or let go of hands!
Hit the play arrow at left bottom of screen!My buddy wagged his tail when he saw i was back safely! And got his belly rubbed. I bought an ice cream pop for the drive home.From further away and a lower altitude the Poas Volcano’s magnitude and 9000 foot height is more evident. This one lane bridge reminded me of the dozens we dealt with in Iceland last year, but most were. A lot longer …..After getting back to Peace Lodge I brewed some more coffee and finished up a blog entry.Some people at home starting contacting me to find out what day I was traveling home. Best case scenario would be getting trapped in Costa Rica, worst case trapped in Atlanta. But snow wouldn’t affect my travel.
I had planned on having a big, late lunch and skipping dinner so it worked out well that the restaurant I chose had a Buffett. There were actually a decent number of people there but ALL were speaking Spanish, people who were visiting the waterfalls and animals for the day.
I had 2 large plates of local foods, I skipped the pizza, French fries and hot dogs the local kids were loving. (They must get more rice, beans and plantains than they can stand at home).Costa Rican beer is good. Pura Vida!!!Plate number 2!Pablo had mentioned that the big cats were usually more active in afternoon, especially as got close to 4pm feeding time. Most were prowling about.
I sat for a few minutes to see which hummingbirds visited.
And went back to see a greater variety of butterflies.
I am definitely hooked on the CR coffee.Jacuzzi and waterfall in my bathroom.The bathroom was quite over the top, it had a regular shower and a “cave” shower, a huge skylight, stained glass, etc.I had gone to sleep early and around midnight I had trouble getting back to sleep. I went outside and saw so many stars. This was in iPhones night mode. I know the constellations are fdifferent in the Southern Hemisphere and not sure what was to the west at the equator. I didnt think to use my StarFinder app.
I read for a while and then edited photos on my iPad, my system has evolved to me first selecting the photos I want to use for a days blog, then editing and saving them in a favorites folder and then loading them all to WordPress at once. Then when I am doing my blog the photos are “somewhat” quickly able to be added. I still have the issue though that when a blog entry gets as long as this one and has as many photos it really starts to get very slow to work with.
I clearly could have broken this entry into 3 parts.
Although I had all notifications on my phone turned off I had not been as careful with iPad and this appeared on top of screen !!! Ack!
2 weeks of no TV or news and this is the first I hear of USA 🙁
Biden just turned 80 he 100% MUST announce ASAP that he will NOT be running in 2024, not endorse anyone and will support whomever the democratic voters pick in the primary! This will give the democrats a long time to find a strong candidate. Trump is mentally ill and maybe developing dementia so hard to predict but seems he cannot win a primary, question is how long before he or his handlers realize and he finds excuse to drop out.
2 thoughts on “Day 13: Peace Lodge. Tuesday 11/15/22”
I wish there was a way to “Like “ your photos (maybe I just don’t know how). What a beautiful place and wonderful trip you made. I’m sorry you didn’t have a travel companion, though you don’t need that to have a great travel experience. See you soon 😊
I wish there was a way to “Like “ your photos (maybe I just don’t know how). What a beautiful place and wonderful trip you made. I’m sorry you didn’t have a travel companion, though you don’t need that to have a great travel experience. See you soon 😊
Thx for the nice feedback u have been giving me.
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div>I will look into th