Following on from Part 3, we travelled over to the Arenal volcano, the most active cone in Costa Rica and one of the world’s most active volcanoes. The last major eruption was in 1968.
We stopped at a checkpoint hut, where we changed for a cycle ride, but the cloud was low, and rain was threatening, so we didn’t get any decent photos of the volcano, and after a wet ride, returned to the hut to get dry and changed.
Our stop this evening was in Sarapiqui region where they grow banana, pineapple and palms.
I realise I haven’t mentioned much about Costa Rica in general – it is very progressive in its Environmental policies, and hopes to become carbon neutral next year.
It doesn’t have an army, USA looks after its security, and has spent the money on education instead.
The lodge is next to the Sarapiqui river, and they feed the birds in the central lawn, so the afternoon was spent with out binoculars in hand.
BananaquitBananasLog-tailed tyrantThe grounds of the lodges
a little bird that flew into the restaurant and landed on our guide’s shirt.
the bird table
Woodpeckers trying to take over
The lawn was home to dozens of tiny strawberry, or blue jean frogs, that chirruped constantly.
a blue jean or Strawberry frog
That evening there was an optional bat viewing trip, which we decided to miss, but when we strolled around the cabins, found our own bats in plain view, roosting under the roof of one of our huts.
The second day started with a jungle walk, where we saw lots of creepy crawlies, and birds of course. We stopped for lunch next to a pineapple plantation, and our guide cut fresh pineapples for us to eat – you’ve not tasted real pineapple until you have one that fresh.
That afternoon we had the best activity of the trip – a zip wire through the rain forest.
After a climb up through the forest, and then up ladders up the trees, we then travelled down a series of zip wires, ending with a long wire across the river.
spread warm volcanic mud over ourselves with paint brushes
Back to our Costa Rica travels, following on from Part 2
Our next days adventure included a stop in the Carara National Park for a Crocodile cruise.
We set off along the river in a smallish boat similar to this.
We caught sight of lots of wildlife as we motored along this wide river, as this is a Biological Reserve known for its birdlife.
Then we stopped at the side of our river where our skipper had seen a large crocodile, and he proceeded to jump ashore and feed this 4 meter croc some chicken.
Rather him than me, but I presume this is a daily occurrence, and they know the croc well, and he is well fed.
More bird spotting on the return trip
and I spotted this turtle on the bank
I decided not to use the facilities onshore!
Back on the minibus and onwards to the Rincon de la Vieja national Park and volcano. This is part of the Cordillera de Guanacaste, a great central volcanic massif made up of 5 active volcanoes.
Our residence here was the Hotel Hacienda Guachipelin, an acrtve cattle ranch,with stables housing the horses nearby.
The first evening we were taken out to a Rodeo, which was just an entertainment, with no harm to any beasts, showing off the skills of the cowboys.
The first days we walked around the flank of the volcano, seeing where their geothermal power station was, and checking out the wildlife.
In the afternoon, I took the option activity of tubing down a nearby canyon, while Ian relaxed in the hammock strung across the hassienda supports.
The next day we had a horse ride up the volcano to a mud spa. Ian had not ridden horses before, so I arranged for him to have a few lessons during the autumn, to give him more confidence for this.
First we visited the Oropendola waterfall, 25 metre high, and a chance to swim in the cold water below.
The ride gave us great scenery, and took us up to the spa, where we could see mud bubbling away
and lots of wildlife
Hummingbird
Leaving our steeds at the gate, we walked up to the spa.
For the spa, we had a sauna, then spread warm volcanic mud over ourselves with paint brushes, and laid down in the sun to dry.
Then after a shower, we sat in thermal pools, dipping our toes in each to find one of a suitable temperature.
Relaxed and freshened, if still a little muddy, we returned to the horses for the ride back down, and to dinner, and a stunning sunset over the volcano.
Thompson gazelles, impala, wildebeest, water buffalo, eland…
Grab your passport, camera and anti malaria tablets, we’re off to Tanzania for the next adventure.
As Ian and I have significant birthdays this year and next, we finally booked a safari trip to Tanzania. As part of my presents, I bought a nice new camera, a Nikon D7200, and some decent lenses, and boy! I’m so glad I did.
Our entry to Tanzania was Mwanza airport, a shabby dis-organised affair, and then we were met by our guide, Mbasha, from Explore! and met the rest of our party, Robert, Ann and Amanda, and set off along the road to our first camp. This was a 2 hour drive, and the road is lined almost all of the way with stalls and huts selling assorted produce. If Britain is a nation of shopkeepers, Tanzania is a nation of stall holders.
Our Banda at Little Okavango Camp
Weaver bird nests in the camp
A weaver bird nest
We arrived at the camp, which is set at the edge of the marshes on the Speke Bay in Lake Victoria.
Our accommodation was a tented banda, one of 5, with a comfortable bed, set under trees full of weaver bird nests.
As we had all had a long day, we chilled out in the camp, started some bird watching and enjoyed a beautiful sunset. Ian spotted a monitor lizard enjoying a frog for lunch.
Pied kingfisher
Monitor lizard enjoying a frog
Cordon Bleu
The next morning we were up before sunrise for coffee, then set off to visit a local fishing village for the morning market.
Collecting water from the lake
the fish market
fishermen getting set to leave
bright boats
a sail boat leaving
Marabou Stork, these are always found at rubbish tips and markets
cattle pen
The fishermen are out on the lake through the night, with lamps to attract the fish, and then return at dawn to sell their fish. Even if they are married, their fish are sold to the highest buyer among the women, who then sell on smaller bundles of the fish to local people and traders. Most of the catch are whitebait, but also some lungfish, catfish and their favourite, tilapia. The small fish are either cooked in a stew, or dried.
The fishermen have an assortment of boat, some with sails, a few with motors and the rest rowing boats, all painted bright colours.
We returned to camp for a lazy afternoon, then set off in a handmade canoe for a trip along the canals cut into the reeds by the fishermen.
the flash of a kingfisher diving
flyucathcer
grey flycathcer
a fisherman wading in the canal to remove a large branch blocking our way
the canal
reeds along the canal
White crowned shrike
Malachite kingfisher
Lots of birds to see, as we paddled between the reed and papyrus.
As the sun set back at camp a pair of grey crowned cranes settled in nearby trees.
grey crowned cranes
grey crowned cranes
Our sleep was again disturbed by the sound of nearby farmers scaring elephants from their plots with whistles and shouting, but we never saw the elephants around.
On Wednesday, we were again up at dawn for breakfast, then set off in the jeep to Serengeti Park.
Gate to Serengeti Park
Wildebeest
Gate to Serengeti Park
Helmeted Guinea Fowl
We saw lots of animals and birds, including Thompson gazelles, impala, wildebeest, water buffalo, eland, topi, Hippo, crocodiles, tortoise, baboon, Vervet monkey, giraffe, zebra, warthog, dwarf mongoose, banded mongoose, black backed jackal, hyena and a hare.
Baboon
Male Impala
Wildebeest
Vervet (or blue-balled) monkey
Impala
Giraffe
Hyena
Black-backed jackals
Impala
Impala
This giraffe was standing in the road as we turned a corner
and stretch!
Topi
Crocodile
young zebra
Baboon
baby hippo
Topi
Hare
Eland
Thompson gazelle
We also saw many many beautiful birds, and decided that as they are all so colourful, they are names for any monochrome part they might have, so a kingfisher with bright turquoise wings is called a grey headed kingfisher.
Yellow Throated longclaw
Double-banded courser
barbets
Silver bird
Crowned Plover
White Rumped Shrike
Ostrich
Barbet
White crowned shrike
Glossy starling
White crowned shrike
Lilac breasted Roller
African Wattled Lapwing
Glossy starling
Long crested eagle
Lilac breasted Roller
Secretary Bird
Our luckiest siting was as we watched Hippos from a bridge over a watering hole, and Amanda noticed a leopard resting on the bank the other side of the jeep. It crept away once we had seen it, but not before i got a quick shot of it.
Leopard creeping up the bank
As we travelled on, we came into a large open area with a clear watering hole, full of all types of animal, zebra, giraffe, wildebeest, impala etc, plus storks, cranes and geese.
As time was passing we set off back for camp, saying we were still missing a few animals, like Lion, Rhino and Cheetah, but as we approached the gate, I spotted a female lion and 2 cubs by the road. We quickly stopped the jeep and reversed, but she took the cubs into the bush. However Mbasha noticed a young male lion hiding in the bushes.
So we left the park happy, and returned to camp just before a thunderstorm.
Next morning we set off after coffee for a boat trip on the Lake.
Shrike
net fishermen hauling in their drag net
Pied kingfisher
tern
Fisherman on lake
Squacco Heron
Squacco Heron
Children fetching water
Papyrus
Pied kingfisher
White-throated Bee-eater
swift
a very distant photo of flamingos
Our brunch was served at the top of the lookout tower, with a view to the camp and across the Serengeti Park in the distance.
An afternoon walk gave more bird watching opportunity before the dark clouds and rainbow sent us back to camp for our last dinner in this camp, ready for our travel to the Selous Park. Back soon for that adventure.
We caught sight of lots of wildlife as we motored along this wide river, as this is a Biological Reserve known for its birdlife.
Grab your passport, camera and anti malaria tablets, we’re off to Tanzania for the next adventure.
Shardlows Highs 