Adventures with Julia

March 3, 2017

Up at 5:20 to go bird watching at 6am with a local guide named Kenneth.  Given the difficulties of spotting birds, Mark has decided to call it bird hunting rather than watching.  A far more accurate description of what happens with us.   Although the sky was clear, the wind was up and, because we are in such a deep canyon, the sun was not.  Finding birds in the wind was additionally problematic, but we were up so what the heck.  A cup of good Costa Rican coffee and we were off.  Surprisingly enough, we spotted 9 different kinds of birds including a few we saw the day before.  The best sighting of the morning was a pair of seldom seen, Golden-Browed Chlorophonia, high in a tree.  It is a lovely green and yellow bird about the size of a robin.

Golden-Browed Chlorophia

After two hours we were cold and ready for breakfast, so we thanked Kenneth and his wonderful green laser pointer for helping us, especially me, see the birds after he or Mark spotted them.  I need to figure out how to get one of those pointers.   What a difference it made in being able to see what people try to point out to this lame viewer.

Oatmeal and coconut breakfast finished, we joined a small group of 6 headed for a 6 km hike to the impressive 400-foot Del Oro Waterfall, which drops into n extinct volcano.  On the way to the hike we drove through the village of Bajos del Toro, home to bout 200 people who are mostly farmers and dairy people.  Like all villages in Costa Rica, it has a primary and secondary school, a soccer field, a health clinic, a police station, 2 bars and a grocery store.

Renaldo leading our hike to the Hidden Treasure

Just passed the village, we parked the car and began the hike up the pasture land and into the forest.  Along the way we could see the Poas volcano in the clouds.  The sun had gone and the sky was completely overcast.  We hoped it would not rain.  The wooded trail eventually ended and we were forced to cross the river back and forth to ascend to the waterfall.

Hiking to Hidden treasure

I had on hiking sandals and, after trying to keep my feet dry, I gave up and walked on stones in the water along with bouldering up the hill.  It was slow going, but our guide, Renaldo, helped me along the way.  Balance was an issue for me and I was thankful to have him and a good walking stick for support.  Mark thinks I walk like an old lady because of my age.  I like to think it is because I have no balance nerve or hearing on my right side.  Maybe it is both, but I don’t want to admit it–at least not yet.

Del Oro Waterfall

We had been told that the hike is called “Hidden Treasure” for the color of the pool at the bottom of the falls.  When we reached the falls, the water ws indeed the color of the gem turquoise.

Turquoise water

Too cold to swim in, it was quite pleasant to see.  On the way back to the car, the light mist turned to rain for awhile and we all got cold.  Back at the cottage, Mark and I had a lovely soak in our hot tub.

After lunch we had planned to do the local zip line, but with the cold and rain it did not seem desirable, so we took a pass.  Hopefully, there will be more opportunities later on.  Now we are hanging out by the fireplace and enjoying the scenery from the lodge.  In the morning we will depart El Silencio at 7:30 for a 4 hour drive to the put in for our river rafting adventure on the Pacuare River.  We will raft for 3.5 hours to the Pacuare Lodge for a 2 night stay and a visit to the indigenous local tribe.   Then raft out another 3.5 hours to the take out.  As there is no electricity at Pacuare Lodge, we will not be able to communicate with the world until we get to our next stop near San Isidro.   So this is it for a few days.  Enjoy the break.  I hope to in spite of no AC, lights or hot showers.  Now that Mark is paying attention, he is wondering how I got him into this predicament.   I have no comment now.  Seems pretty obvious to me.

Another photo of the male Quetzal. A wonderful sighting.

I just found another photo of this wonderful bird and wanted to share it with you.  It is similar to the Birds of Paradise found in the highlands of Papua New Guinea.

Will catch up with you again in a few days.  Wish us well.  It has been a long while since we last white water rafted.

Meanwhile, Happy Trails, Julia