The Two Lines of a Striped Basilisk and Everything In Between...

Central America Caribbean » Costa Rica » Limón » Cahuita

Costa Ricas flagPublished: September 19th 2005Central America Caribbean » Costa Rica » Limón » Cahuita
July 18th 2005

Sunrise Over the CarribbeanSunrise Over the Carribbean
Sunrise Over the Carribbean

Beautiful, isn't it? It was well worth the 5am wake up.
Cahuita was awesome!!! We just got back today, back to the station, and it was a lot of fun. I got over 100 pictures too (i'll post some of the best here).

I noticed that my beard is pretty long and my tan is pretty dark now. Coming back, I realized that the great summer adventure is coming to a close. I wish we could have stayed in Cahuita longer (save my many blisters... never go on a trail hike in adidas sandals). Even here longer would be nice.

The best part of Cahuita was that the meals were less than 3 dollars in most cases but were full seafood dinners. I was in heaven haha.

Thinking back, there were many times I dreaded this stay, for its isolation and overall length. And now, I look ahead and think of how long it will really be before I can come back or go on a simliar adventure. Crazy how things turn out, isn't it???

I'm thinking when I next return (next summer I figure) I will do an iguana diet study of some kind. That could be very helpful in determining habitat shift, especially if it
Beach Shot #1Beach Shot #1
Beach Shot #1

Also amazing, it's great when the forest goes right to the beach edge. This beach was nice too, not too crowded and clean. The trail here went right along the edge too.
ends up that the shift is based on a diet change haha (oh how lucky I'd have to be). The primate class is here, and it isn't that bad. My friends come soon, so that's great. This is probably the last entry since, with all the commotion, I won't have much time to sit and write. The class is excited to have a herpetologist around, so I get to show them and tell them about all my catches of the days. They even want to come along on my night hikes...

PS - Students helping me ...hmm.

There are more photos below
Photos: 16
Displayed: 16



Matt
Herpetologist extraordinaire a la Steve Irwin, sans the accent... with a little insanity thrown in for good measure. Well, I just got back this August from a 3 month long stay in beautiful Costa Rica, so check out my entries/pics because it was amazing!! I've never seen such diversity in such a small area (the station I stayed at wasn't even that big really). Enjoy!!! ****Found out recently that I'm going to be able to go back there this winter to finish up my thesis studies and then spend a week or so travelling with my college bud, Andrew. I'll definetly be taking better notes thi... full info
JoinedAugust 15th 2005 Trips0
Last LoginFebruary 26th 2010 Followers0
StatusBLOGGER Follows0
Blogs30 Guestbook7
Photos119 Forum Posts0
Blog Options
Costa Rica
Costa Rica mapCosta Rica flag
Costa Rica is a Central American success story: since the late 19th century, only two brief periods of violence have marred its democratic development. Although still a largely agricultural country, it has expanded its economy to include strong techn...more info

Blogged From
Visited Countries
TravelBlog Awards





Beach Shot #2Beach Shot #2
Beach Shot #2

Did I mention that i absolutely love leaning palms?
Capuchins GaloreCapuchins Galore
Capuchins Galore

White-faced capuchins were everywhere on this trail, and were relatively easy to photograph. They passed over the trail a few times. And, these ones didn't try to throw things at me. That's a good thing.
Flora blancoFlora blanco
Flora blanco

White flowers growing trailside in Cahuita Reserve. It's amazing all the different petal forms/shapes that exist down here...
I Got the BluesI Got the Blues
I Got the Blues

This frog was sleeping on a leaf along the trail. I think it is in the leaf frog family (which includes the red eyed frogs). The white spots are amazing too, make the frog appear really etherial...
The Misty MountainsThe Misty Mountains
The Misty Mountains

A shot of mountains off in the distance, towards the West. I really have to come back and explore some of the higher elevation ecosystems someday...
Like Snails on a LogLike Snails on a Log
Like Snails on a Log

This was neat, Dave found them bunched up here when we took a break after a few kilometers in on the trail. I guess this is a testament to safety in numbers. Good thing no snail eater snakes around...
Hey, They Sell These on the Boardwalk!Hey, They Sell These on the Boardwalk!
Hey, They Sell These on the Boardwalk!

Hermit crabs galore down here on the trail. This one was particularly bigger than the others. We also found a smaller green-shelled one too...
Beach Shot #3Beach Shot #3
Beach Shot #3

Many palms in this one, it was awesome looking. Totally beats the Jersey shore anyday.
Beach Shot #4Beach Shot #4
Beach Shot #4

Even the clouds look like they are flowing to the same point that the beach is. Beautiful...
The Great Bird-EaterThe Great Bird-Eater
The Great Bird-Eater

The second bird-eating snake caught on the Costa Rica adventure, Dave spotted this one along the trail and I was able to catch it. These are really cool aglyphous snakes. Note how the eyes reflected blue in the camera flash.
The Playa NegraThe Playa Negra
The Playa Negra

Black sand beaches are the best. The sand may feel hotter to the touch but the grains are much finer. I collected some sand and brought it back in a vial. The best souvenirs are free, you know...
The Striped BasiliskThe Striped Basilisk
The Striped Basilisk

Saw one of these guys at the station once, and here on the trip we found two juveniles and an adult. I guess they prefer the beaches (I don't blame them)...
The Gang's All HereThe Gang's All Here
The Gang's All Here

Here we are, in all our glory: Me, Dave, and Stacy, on the beach in Manzanilla. I set the camera on a timer and ran over to sit down in time, to make it look like a more natural shot. They were both very confused because I did not tell them I was taking a photo haha.
My Amazingly Awesome Perfect Postcard PhotographMy Amazingly Awesome Perfect Postcard Photograph
My Amazingly Awesome Perfect Postcard Photograph

I give my own personal "thumbs up!" to the Caribbean beaches of Costa Rica.





Comments
Date: 3rd October 2005


Glad you liked it- I lived there for a year and had a great time- not for everyone, but if you setle in- no better place in the world!

From Blog: The Two Lines of a Striped Basilisk and Everything In Between...




Tot: 0.036s; Tpl: 0.004s; cc: 17; qc: 29; dbt: 0.0176s; 1; s:notus w:www (50.28.61.183); sld: 1; ; mem: 1.3mb