Day 4: Tortuguero National Park

Wow. Early mornings and I will never be good friends. Even with my jet lag getting up at 05:00 am is not a good start to the day.
The reason however is really nice: we will be in a canoe with a local guide to get a completely different look at whatever we can find out there!

We spent the night in a room on stilts, with no windows in it. As we are right in the middle of the jungle you can imagine noises at night. It makes for a very interesting night! Luckily, the windows are not open but each one is equipped with mosquito nets to keep the creepy crawlies outside. And there are a lot of those around, I can assure you!

With high anticipations we arrived at 05:45 at the main dock, but no guide. A short phone call to Rey later learned us that his boat was stolen, and he eventually arrived apologising about 100 times but nearly an hour late.
Floating down the river banks looking for anything that moves with a very knowledgeable guide is a great experience, and something I would recommend to everybody in the neighbourhood. To make it up to us, we even got the same trip the next morning for free!

Right after the boat trip, breakfast was served and a few hours later we were scheduled to go bush walking. Rubber boots and all. This turned out to be mud walking instead of bush walking. Several rubber boots were lost during the trip, and hilarity ensued every time. We escaped completely unscathed, albeit soaked because of the scorching heat and awful humidity. At around 30 degrees with humidity above 80%, Tortuguero is not for the faint of heart. But a wonderful place nonetheless!

This afternoon, we would go out on a boat tour to go into the Tortuguero National Park itself. We have only spent time in the Tortuguero Refuge area so far, and have high hopes for the National Park! It is wonderful. Filled with jungle and small canals it is quite easily navigated by boat. With a small canal, and the jungle overhanging it is quite a thing to see!
Loads of birds, monkeys and flora is to be seen in the park and it is well worth a visit.
The only down side we have found was that it is really busy with boats with tourists, and that these boats are filled to the brim. Safari wise, they are not doing the best job. As there is lots to see, it is only a minor nuisance.

To cool down, we decided to lounge in the swimming pool, to get ourselves ready for dinner and a well deserved night of sleep. Yes, this is quite the life.
Tomorrow, we go out in the canoe again and we have to check out. We will receive the rental car somewhere and the real adventure begins!