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Tortugero| Tortuguero is SWMBO's favorite spot. Just ask her. With Esther here we had to show it to her. This time we returned to Pachira Lodge. The same place we visited with the orchestra. We were hoping to find more monkies on that side. We were right. There was also a sloth this time, just about at eye level. This is the closest I've been able to get to one...ever. We had four grand days of sun (and way too much heat). The only rain was some on Wednesday evening. Sadly we have to report that there are far fewer wetland birds in the area. The guides all agreed that over the past two years the number of these birds has fallen. Looked to me like there was a loss of over 50%. One of the problems of "eco-tourism" is that it destroys the wildlife that the "eco-tourists" come to see. It's a strange dance we humans do. Everyone wants to be where the pristine nature is. How can that be? This time we hiked to the top of "Turtle hill" and had a great view of the sea and the canals below. Most, if not all of the bands of monkeys had babies with them. Old enough to be on their own, but young enough that they needed watching. On several occasions we found the little ones up in a tree crying for momie. Kind of like a cat stuck up a tree. Most of the time, at least in the mornings, the monkeys were low enough in the trees that we could watch them very closely (like 10' or less). There was a lot of hanging from your tail from a stronger tree to take berries from a weaker tree (one that could not support the monkey) sort of thing going on. I think if I were given the choice of being able to fly, or being able to swing threw trees like these fellows do it would be a hard decision for me to make. It's too early for the turtles yet. They should arrive the end of next month The lodge has expanded to around 200 cabins. I'm told that they all will be filed for the next few months. And this is one of around six lodges on the water. It's hard to envision such an invasion of nature. The guides do the best job they know how to protect the turtles from the tourists. I can only pray that it is enough. They are saying that the monkey population is already doomed because of all the "eco-tourists". We among them. I'm glad we got there before the rush... |
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