We spent two days at Bahia Drake on the Osa Peninsula. The annual rainfall on this peninsula is 220 inches, making it one of the wettest regions of the country. Sunday afternoon we went to shore in our dinghy to explore the area and got caught in a downpour. We ran quickly for cover at the nearby local bar, and one of the locals befriended us. Later as he was walking along the shore toward his home, we were trying to get our dinghy out pass the surf line. While Phil started the engine he kept the dinghy out of the surf line, and as the beach dropped off quickly he ended up having only his head above water at the last moment. What a sight that was! Once back on shore, he waved goodbye and continued his walk toward home - truly a �friend,� indeed.
Our second exciting �wildlife adventure� in Costa Rica took place on Monday as we explored the tropical rainforest of the Osa Peninsula. At 8:30 a.m. one of the local panga drivers picked us up at our boat and dropped us off at Playa San Josecito, a remote beach further down the peninsula. As we came through the surf to the beach, it was most exciting to watch him maneuver the panga, turn it around, back in, and then lift the big Yamaha outboard out of the water just before reaching the shore. We had 6 hours in the area before he returned to take us back to our boat. First, we hiked along the jungle trail over to the Rio Claro, rented a canoe, and went exploring up the river. We were only able to go a little ways up the river to the first waterfall as debris caused from heavy rains was blocking the passage to the second larger waterfall. We had a most delightful time at the first waterfall climbing over the rocks and enjoying its cool waters - plus we had it all to ourselves. On our return, we saw another Jesus Christ lizard �walk on water�. Once on land, though, the lizard looked more like a miniature dinosaur as it quickly walked up the log on its back legs. Afterwards, we enjoyed observing the beautiful scarlet macaws and the white-faced monkeys as the forest just abound with them. The scarlet macaws always seemed to be fussing with each other, and the monkeys always seemed to be leaping quickly from branch to branch, busily gathering food. Sometimes the monkeys would leap, wouldn�t think where they were landing, and would end up at the tip of the lightest branches - such a funny sight to watch. We arrived back at our boat around 3:30 just before the rainstorm. The swell was also now coming into the bay; so it made for a most uncomfortable night with little sleep. |
