Another early start! This time the monkeys were all about the breakfast area. The waitresses are vigilant with squirting water at them to shoo them away from the tables but they are so nimble. I had my back turned to my table talking to Susan when she noticed a monkey creeping down the pillar behind me towards my fruit! I shooed it away but really they were not deterred. It was very funny but I can see what a nuisance they are. We heard stories of monkeys throwing sticks and poo at visitors in some of the parks.
We were off to walk in the Manuel Antonio National Park this morning. Once again a little sceptical but eager to see what was there. If we have learned anything it is, you never see anything of interest without a guide and sloths are hairy balls high in the trees!
This park is the most visited park in all Costa Rica and you only visit about 5 %. The number of visitors has been capped at 1000 a day down from 3000 pre Covid. It would be a nightmare! Guides with spotter scopes lead various sized groups around and sometimes it is quite a crowd when they stop to see an animal. Despite that it is very worthwhile.
Our guide Bernie was amazing at seeing animals and so knowledgeable and passionate. We finally saw a sloth’s face! Not just one but two different species, the three toed and the two toed.
How they see a snake as thin as a pencil or a red grasshopper amongst the greenery is uncanny.
We saw agouti( rodent like mini hairy pig) deer, the Jesus lizard that walks on water, and lots of cheeky white faced monkeys.
We continued down by the beach where we saw micro bats and our pointy nosed sloth. We have actually seen about 13 sloths this trip.
The rest of the afternoon was spent by the beach relaxing. That was after the excruciating run over boiling sand! Water was divine. We lolled about in the water soothing our tortured feet trying to discern the wettest, shadiest part of the beach to make our return. We dashed from wet to shade and caught the attention of a small group of Americans who complimented us on our elegant retreat back to the beach!
Now for a shower and dinner in town. Lisa and Julie had sussed out a place so we walked the beach back to town. We were keen on a fish dinner. We returned in the dark along the beach, hoping to avoid horse poo left by the pony rides. Shona, Julie and Lisa had come prepared with torches.
The end of another great day.
fleetfootkath 