February 16, 2015

Hotel Liberia in downtown Liberia, Costa Rica

Well that is a question that we continue to ask ourselves after having had our rental car broken into and all of our STUFF vanished in the blink of an eye. I keep telling myself that I knew better. I have spent enough time in Central America, that you do not leave a rental car on the street of a major city with bags left exposed. Especially ones that say “North Face” in big letters. I reasoned that we would only be a few minutes and it was a busy street with a lot of people walking around. Wrong I was!

Photographing the evidence

Dusting for fingerprints. Really!

Kim was insistent that we file a police report, but I wasn't so sure. Still we went through the motions and 3 hours later we were back out in the fresh air. Now we just had to find a place to stay.

We wanted to find a safe hotel close to downtown from which to, number one rest, and then to do our shopping from. The only nice one we could find was called the Hotel Liberia. The nice young lady told us that they were all booked up except for a dorm room. The thought of 2 other youngsters in our room was just too much to think of, so I said I would rent all 4 beds. Kim had begun weeping silently sitting and waiting for me to make the negotiations. The lady said she would check if there might be a cancellation. I think she actually forced a bump in someone for a late arrival.

We sat in our unairconditioned room and stared mesmerized at the oscillating fan. After what seemed like hours, Kim spoke up and said, “So, you want to go for ice cream?”

February, 17, 2015
Hotel Wilson, Liberia, Costa Rica

After a reasonable nights sleep, considering that Kim's sleep medications were also stolen, we got up, made coffee, and sat around in our hot stuffy room. It had windows that opened directly onto the street, but we didn't care. You'd have thought we were at the Hinton. We then had a nice breakfast right in our hotel. We were hoping that we could spend one more night, but it was not to be. When we went to pay for our bill we were told that all the rooms were full, and we would have to move. Perfect! I thought. Once again the desk clerk came to our aid and found us a nice hotel just four blocks from where we were. It was quick getting ready, as we each only had one small daypack to pack.

By 10 am we were safely tucked in our third story walk up room. This time we had AC which we immediately turned on. However, after a few minutes Kim suggested that we hit the already hot streets for a shopping spree. Which is just what we did. two or three shirts for me, a couple for for Kim, some replacement medications for her, and we we back in the AC by 2:30pm. Just in time for a nap. Pura Vida.

Oh, to be back in the country!

Instead we are at staying at the Hotel Wilson

February 15, 2015
Still at Palo Verde National Park

How about just some really nice pictures?

A nice shot.

Bats and more bats.

Capuchin monkey posing

Howler monkey in silhouette

A Pigmy owl! Can you believe it?

This is one of my favorite walks in Palo Verde

Tomorrow we leave for parts unknown. Another adventure begins.

Comments would be appreciated.

Feb. 13, 2015
Parque National Palo Verde

An iguana greeting our entrance

This site is by far my favorite place that we have visited in Costa Rica. There are indeed animals everywhere. Who would have thought it? When we drove into this hot and dusty Park, mostly on a whim, we were not that impressed with it. First of all, it is a long way down a bumpy gravel road. When we finally got to the entrance gate, the very friendly Tick lady told us that the boat trip we had hoped to take up the Rio Tempisque would cost $80 US for just a 2 hour trip, and the park did not sponsor it, she said with disdain. We were disappointed, but we reasoned that because of the late hour we should at the very least spend the night. We had been, after all traveling for 5 hours. That is a lot for us.

A capuchin monkey looking at ME

As soon as we entered the park, there were bands of capuchin monkeys playing all around the road right in front of our room. Then pezote after pezote crossed almost over our feet to get to the drinking trough of water.

The loud sound of of howler monkeys sinched the deal. We never wanted to leave this place. So we have been here for 3 nights now and are planning to spend 3 more The accommodations leaves a lot to be desired, but the wildlife more than makes up for it.

A spoonbill going over the swamp

I haven't even mentioned the birds. There is a part of the swamp that touches the dirt road where there are literally hundreds of thousands of birds in every shape and size and color. It was the first time on this trip that I had wished that I had brought my “big camera and lenses.” I am now traveling with a very nice and small, but sofisticated mirrorless Sony NEX 6 with two lens. A wide angle and a telephoto lens, which has maximum reach of 200 mm. A 500 mm would really be much nicer, but who would like to carry all that heavy gear? Not me I reasoned.–until now. Still, I must admit that I am getting some pretty terrific shots, don't you think?

Sunset on the swamp

Feb. 9, 2015
Leaving Rinconcito Lodge today

Arriving at A Posada Rio Celestre, Parque National Volcan Tenorio

We have now been on several walks, and everywhere we go there are interesting birds. Now I am not pretending to be a birder, but I do know an outstanding looking bird when I see one. We weren't her 10 minutes before our manager pointed out a toucan perched on a tree not far from us. He was munching on some tastey tropical fruit. Along the way there were many others who just seemed to pose for photographs.

A beautiful toucan posing for me

Just another pretty songbird

Are you looking at me?

Blue Jay Costa Rica style

There he was a two toes sloth.