Tortuguero National Park

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First full day in the jungle. There was torrential rain and what sounded like a tree falling down overnight but our guide Marcos didn't hear a thing. Apparently this is their dry season - could have fooled us! Anyway the rain eased off as we emerged sleepily at 5.45 for a boat ride down the many small channels and saw caimen , lots of heron, a two toed sloth, howler monkeys and iguanas. Back for breakfast and then we were off again for a stroll though the jungle and boy was it muddy. Marcos told us a lot of interesting stuff about the rainforest and we nodded wisely and promptly forgot it. We could do the whole thing again tomorrow and still be interested.
This afternoon the Waylors went zip wiring in the jungle canopy! This was a first for all of us and there were a lot of nervous giggles - and that was just Malcolm! What an amazing experience and the twins were quite taken with the young men who helped us. We are exhilarated that we managed to do it and will be celebrating all night long. We'll post photos as soon as we get them. Thanks for your comments, keep them coming.

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Photos

.... and rained ...
.. But then the sun shone!

Unknown spider
Anyone know the name?

Comments

[Henry]

That looks like a photo Joe has of an American Golden Silk Orb-Weaver.

[Waylors on tour]

Mystery spider
Thanks to Joe and Uncle James for identifying the spider.

[James]

I think..
This is a golden silk orbweaver.

[James]

Had to google this one..
It's a parrot flower. Check inside the red cups for tadpoles.

[James David Attenborough]

Had to google this one as well...
I beleive this is the red ginger flower. More common than the pink ginger flower. Wikipedia helpfully tells us "Ginger tends to spread" I think you should call it the Ben stokes / Jonny Bairstow flower.

[James]

Look great.
Loving the photos. More wildlife ones please. Hope the rain eases off. Turns out I was looking at the wrong part of the blog and hadn't seen any posts until today. Prompted my Suzanne's gentle reminder. Xx

[Hannah bunt]

Wow
Those pictures are amazing, it sounds a great holiday. Can't believe you did the zip wire, those are the pics I really can't wait to see although can't imagine MGT was able to pull out the selfie stick during those pain staining moments!!!!! And who'd have thought your rain ponchos would feature so heavily in your holiday photos, you wear them well! X

[Emma]

Gorgeous pics
Great photos, John, I really enjoyed these. Are you sure you're not just withholding the photos of the lovely young men the Twinnies were so taken with, so as not to detract from the nature photography?!

[Becky]

Have just caught up with your blog. Amazing photos and looks like you are all having a fantastic time. I am so impressed you did the zip wire - especially my Dad! Keep the photos coming. I am not a wildlife expert so can't answer the "what is it?" Questions like Henry, Joe and James but i love all the people photos! xx