Costa Rica

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Sunday



The howler monkeys got crazy at 5am this morning. The male is very loud. We were told that it is normal for them to be loud at this time. No need for an alarm clock here! But it is actually good to get up early and start the day before it gets too hot. The balcony is so nice early in the morning. Bob made some coffee and we just enjoyed the view for a while.



We read at the hotel that there is a lovely view atop the hill past the waterfall. We looked for wildlife along the way, saw many small butterflies and the blue morpho. We ran into a tourist at a fork in the road. He said the road to the left led up to a beautiful overlook, was about two miles to the top, led across a bridge and made a loop to our current spot. Round trip, seven miles. The first part was up a very steep hill. We looked at each other and decided the whole trip might be a little much in the heat. It was very hot about 9am. Lynn and Aaron, we can picture you two running up the hill! We walked a good part up the hill, then turned around. At this point up the road we still got a nice view looking down, overlooking mountains in the background. On the way back we spotted a couple of toucans.



Up to the balcony again for some good fruit, some reading and blogging. The owner here told us that there were howler monkeys right next to the hotel. They were close to the road, so we got a good view. The mother had a baby on her back. Very cute! Bob stepped a short distance off the road, and the ants found him. It didn't help that we were barefoot! (We ran down from the upper level, where shoes are not allowed.)



About 2:00 the same monkeys went crazy, howling and howling. They can be heard through a dense forest for three miles. They howl to keep their group together, or to scare off another group infringing on their territory. Just after our monkey adventure, the rains came for a short time. Very pleasant to listen to the rain right under the roof on the top balcony.



We took another walk to explore the area, then went back to make dinner in the kitchen. The highlight of the day had to be the howler monkeys. We have been waiting to see them for quite a while. But I am sure tomorrow will bring something exciting too.

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Comments

[Gail and Richard]

A howling good time!
How close do the howlers come to your balcony? Fabulous wildlife shots! Are the iguanas shy? We saw quite a few on our trip to Costa Rica, but I didn't stick around to see if they were shy! Gail

[tak1]

Howlers
The howlers were across a path by the hostel, so we could get about 30 feet from them. The male became very vocal after Bob took photos and left. Iguanas are fairly shy and move pretty fast, so you have to sneak up on them. Good to hear from you!

[Lynn]

Hike
Even if you didn't make it on the entire hike, I still think you're doing well for old people!

[tak1]

Old People?
Your mother told me to answer this comment. I think she is insulted. You don't want to walk very far after very early morning. It gets hot and humid. Wie are middle aged people! There are many people older than us. Our definition of middle aged increases every year though.