Costa Rica

It just gets better.

Just out of interest whilst out on the road we've spotted 6 motorhomes, one French, one Spanish one Mexican three USA, not one caravan! The family in the van in the photo were very interesting to talk too, goggle the webpage on the side of the van.

Some beak on the green bird

Great pictures again, micky - you're having more luck with the birds than we did - or maybe you've got a better eye than me for a photo!

When are you heading to Monteverde?

Arrived at the Monteverde Lodge late yesterday afternoon. The scenery, and flora is very different again here. As for spotting birds, m, I think it's more to do with having other avid bird/nature lovers with you, lots of eyes are better than 'one' as they say, also our guide really knows his stuff and the places to go. He is in constant contact with his colleagues even when out in the 'field' when rarities are showing, I'm amazed at then phone coverage here, even when deep in the jungle. Having said that on no occasion have we have seen other groups whilst in the 'field' and it never seems like we are really 'chasing' the encounters. Saw an agouti, it's like a large guineapig, wandering around the grounds of the hotel but the light was very poor for photos. Yes, brue, that toucanette and his beak has been the star of my week.

Have you got your name down for that zip lining yet, micky?

It is with great regret, m, that due to circumstances beyond my control I have been unable to partake in that zip wire activity.

However, I am delighted to announce that during this morning's walk in the cloud forest, not one but two of our main objectives for this holiday were realised. Firstly was to experience a cloud forest. Secondly, since I was a boy I have always wanted to see one particular bird of Central America. This desire was first kindled by a birthday present, given to me when aged about seven years old, by my parents. This was a large and heavy book entitled 'Birds of the World' which I treasured and poured over for countless hours.  In this book were many exotic birds but none more so for me than the elusive Quetzal. Today, on our last official excursion that 'Eldorado' of my birding ambition was achieved. Although I didn't spot it first, I'm indebted to one of our fellow party members who did, I managed to get several photos and I'm utterly and completely stoked. 

Tomorrow the group spits up and will go their own ways to relax at various hotels across the Pacific Ocean coast  prior to flying back home to England in five days time. However, tonight we will all meet up for a 'last supper' where we will toast the flora & fauna of this wonderful land, the varied countryside that is Costa Rica, the friendly folk who live here, our tour guide and our newly created memories. One memory for me of course will be that very Quetzal for being so obliging, that bird I'd only ever seen printed on that page of my treasured book which has made an 'old' man very happy.🤗

Fantastic looking bird Micky, I can feel your joy🌞

Fantastic sighting of the Quetzal, micky - we weren't lucky enough to spot one although I was talking to a guy at the airport on the way home who'd seen and photographed them.

Our highlights were probably the Jabiru amongst a large group of wood storks and the swallow tailed kite.

It's a fantastic country for wildlife, isn't it? Folk keep asking us since we've been back "will you go again?". Well, we'd love to but sadly probably won't as returning to the same country over and over again is not for us. But we'll have wonderful memories of the place.

Well, as mentioned, we are now on our own and making our way down to an hotel on the Pacific Coast of CR. It's a five hour journey. Here we will relax and chill out for five days after this action packed tour we have experienced. The hotel we will be staying at is inside an other national park so hopefully the wildlife will come to us from now on. Here are a few photos taken at stops on the way down from the high cloud forrest volcanic mountains of Monteverde.

More great pics, first photo looks a bit like a stilt?  Enjoy your R&R on the Pacific