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Published: October 30th 2017
Buenas dias chicos
pura vida!
Updates ref turtles,
On a wet morning patrol at 0500 Adam and I spotted a Ridley turtle which we thought was dead as on its side but when we got closer we could see her pulse in her neck so we flipped her over and she was ok and waddled back to the sea, so worth the rainy walk to save a life :o) Annoyed did not have my camera with me doh!
We have been seeing more turtles each night, as many as 4 a night totalling approx 19 loras (Oliver Ridley) and 3 Negras (East Pacific green turtle) have been seen this season, sometimes they abort or we only see tracks.
Peak nesting is usually Nov to Jan. We are relocating all nests as the storm has meant hight tide comes up higher than they lay. Some nights we dont see any, but have been told it is a better year than last year.
We either take out the eggs as they lay or sometimes depending on when we see them we have to dig up the nest after
she has laid, one nest had 130 eggs. They look like ping pong balls and are quite delicate. We triangulate new nest so can be excavated once hatched to check hatching succes, data data data lol
On a recent night patrol we saw a East Pacific Green, a new one to the beach as no ID tag, this species are more rare and hence rather than just a metal tag that the Ridleys get we inject a PIT tag (electronic tag) into the turtles flipper, which will last longer that normal cheaper metal tags. Leatherbacks also get PIT tags.
I had to hold the turtle flipper firmly so Javi could fit the tag, not easy as they are strong but managed it, Javi was impressed saying he has worked with bioligists who struggle lol
We also saw a 1.5 m crocodile on the way home and have recently found croc prints near the estuary, one of the spots we rest at on turtle patrol!!
I have been inolved in six nest relocations out of the 16 we have done so far. Is better than seeing no turtes and just walk then
rest all night. It means we take 20 min breaks rather than 40 min breaks so more walking!
General stuff
Have seen many impressive lightning shows over the sea, moonlit nights, fireflies, the odd clear star filed sky and also we often see bioluminescent organisms on the beach. So when you walk you see like little stars on the sand, also when the waves break they glow, wow :o)
Also when heading out on patrols we often hear many frogs, some sound like a space invaders game!
Supposed to be wet season until end November however first 2 weeks here have been mainly dry and hot. Then past week we have had 3 days constant rain but now cleared again. Walk to beach had almost dried out but flooded again now so we use the truck to get tot he beach for night and morning patrols, until it dries out again. Main reason is we have to cross a concrete bridge on the way and when the water over it could be dangerous to cross on foot.
New injury... stung on face by a
paper wasp when i was hanging out my washing! :o( and yes it is a real wasp not a paper one!! Can see my left cheek if I look down! Took 3 days and creams / pills so may not have been a paper wasp but a bigger one!
Foot swelling has been going down as I have been doing less patrols to rest it and keeping bandage stocking on for longer. Knee probably still weakned, but not stopped me doing stuff... carefully...
Been doing some more repairs to the camp to keep busy, been filling large pot holes in driveway so easier on the truck, involves collecting lots of rocks then covering with mud. Built a compost heap, put up some signs for the rubbish.
Adam and I found another hammock to put up, re erected a post that Claudia managed to knock down with the truck!
Other stuff to do like seal up gaps above bathrooms to stop spiders and scorpions, but need more materials... I bought the cement for the water leaks myself!
Most of the seeds are popping up now, have water melon, cucumber, lentils, tomatoes.. just
need to keep the baby iguanas away now!
Been coping reasonably well with the rustic lifestyle, only thing I am struggling with still getting to sleep at night as room really hot, keep waking up in sweaty bed! tempted to sleep in hammock... but bugs. Could also do with some new cooking pans!
Vegetarian most nights only the odd meaty monday night, do find it boring after a while! So always look forward to any trips into town so I can have meat and beer!
I cant see how people cope in dry season as is even hotter. It does cool down enough to sleep about midnight so if on a night patrol not so bad.
Adam had a short 3 day break to Playa Coco which is about 30 mins bus ride from here and Emma and Kelsy also heading off for 3 nights in Tamarindo.
So I am also planning on taking a short break frm camp, 2nd Nov to 6th, a hotel in Liberia, hot showers, flat screen tv, air con, better food and I have booked a tour in a nearbye National Park.
A ten hour
day trip in Rincon de la Vieja Volcano National Park, it includes horseriding, zip lining, waterslide and hot springs, I will do a short blog for my "break".
Also originally I was leaving on the 7th Dec but have changed to Monday 4th as means I can be dropped off in town as Monday shopping day, also gives me a few days to relax before the next project in Nicaragua.
So I have booked one night in Liberia then will travel to Nicaragua on a shuttle bus on 5th better than a public bus but more expensive, then stay a couple of nights in San Jorge, which is right next to where I catch the ferry to Ometepe.
(Might even leave earlier eg 30th and spend some time in a beach resort in Nicaragua called SanJuan del Sur, is close to San Jorge.)
It was Emmas 19th Birthday last week so we bought pizza for her birthday dinner, one meaty (yum yum) and one veggie (the 2 girls are veggies..).
Adams drone had a crack apear so we dismantled and fixed with epoxy resin. Unfortunately it does not want to fly
anymore!! He heads back to USA end Nov so he can get it fixed then.
He found a snakeskin in his room so must have a room mate!
Bloody phones! I broke my decent phone 2 weeks before leaving UK, brought my old iphone 4 and some other older phone phones.
Managed to get a local SIM and activate, however turns out iphone locked and couple of the others. Also iphone is dying from humidity, the crack in the back probably not helping.... so touchscreen buttons dont always work.
Signal at Cabuyal only in 2 spots, up a nearbye hill and one spot on the beach, but weak signals.
I am going to buy a new phone in Liberia on my break so hopefully can contact people, sorry mum thats why not rung first few weeks... :O)
Will have to call using "whats up" or messenger , so use data not texts/calls, dont know if skype will work but can try.
So should have phone on the 2nd Nov, crumbs that will be 4 weeks gone.
Also even though my leg improved a lot I am thinking of
cancelling my Leatherback Pacuare project as digging sand every day a bit daunting for my knee..... but really did want to see a Leatherback but might see one here.
Will have to play it by ear and decide while at Ometepe, have wifi there so easy to mail etc
Other alternative projects I have found include a Wildlife park in Chirripo Costa Rica, on the highest peak in Costa Rica, with various roles including reforetation and trail building. It has hot showers, washing machine and only work 5 mornings a week with nearbye waterfalls and hot springs.... so will still have to work but less walking and less time so easier on my leg.
NB you can leave messages on these blogs, it may seem little to you but to me it is nice to see messages from home, including any updates from home, or emails... :o)
Will only have four (or three) more weeks here once I return from my short recharge break, but to be honest that is long enough in these conditions even though the work is worthwhile and we do get chill time and play games.
Have quite a few pictures on this blog of critters we find in camp.
Chow for now!
:o)
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Jaroslaw Orlik
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Buenas dias to you Marko.
Really good to here from you bro, i try to imagine how great adventure is for you to be there, looks like beach walks always bring you a lot of wild life experience :). Look after your leg :) And I must say pizza looks vert good, its a 8.30 am in UK and I'm now very hungry!!! :) Keep writing the blog, i really enjoy reading your stories. In UK cold weather start to appear only 3'C this morning. I manage to sell my bike, and now I'm slowly saving for another, Uni again is killing me with the amount of study to do, but is what it is :) LOL Be careful with these wild small venomous animals (I hope that how is spell?) Take care Bro!! :)