As I mentioned in my last message, my friend Walter was here visiting. We went to Quepos and the beach at Manuel Antonio. After a bit of trouble finding a hotel, we finally settled in. We spent Saturday hiking around the park in Manuel Antonio and lying on the beach. Of course, I got sunburnt again. We saw monkeys - howlers and white-faced and agoutis in the park. That is, until the deluge began at 2pm. Walter decided to get wet, so I tried to use his umbrella, but it was of no avail, I was soaked by the time we caught the bus back to Quepos.
In Quepos, we kept bumping into people I knew from when we were working in Quebrada Arroyo, at dinner, at the bus terminal and at the circus. It was a fun coincidence. There was a circus, so we decided to go to see what it would be like. There were clowns, tigers, trapeze artists, motorcycles in the sphere of death, etc. It was from Mexico and we enjoyed it, other than the obvious problems with how the animals are caged up.
On Sunday, we went to visit some of the friends we bumped into. I enjoyed it, but I think Walter was a bit bored.
Last Tuesday, I had an opportunity to drop into Quebrada Arroyo for the inauguration ceremony of the project. It was a great visit. I got a ride there with the UNDP - had to get up at 4am, yuck. It was great to see everyone. We hiked to the lookout, went on the new zip line, etc. Got a ride back to San Jose with some people from the Environment Ministry.
Last weekend, Walter and I flew to the Penisula de Osa in the south. There is a national park there called Corcovado and it is one of the least developed areas in the country - almost untouched rainforest. We camped for three nights in the park. It was a challenging and fun trip. We hiked about 20km into the forest to La Sirena and then returned. We saw lots of wildlife: white faced, howler and squirrel monkeys, possums, anteaters, scarlet macaws, agoutis, raccoons, squirrels, and lots of birds and probably more that I forget.
This week, I have been a social butterfly, going out most nights and for lunch most days as well. Thankfully I have had this weekend to rest. Work has been busy too, as I try to wrap up everything before I head back to Canada on July 10. It's a bit early, but I am starting back to work on August 13...
This weekend has been great so far though, two naps and we went dancing last night until 3am after going to a friend's birthday party. Oh well, I'd better get back to some work I am trying to finish for tomorrow...
Take care,
Rob