day 13. Making up for yesterday, well almost!

If yesterday, seemed unlucky, which it really wasn't (who can complain when you are in paradise?), today nearly made up for it! We woke up to another perfect morning in Ojochal. Then, we convinced the kids to go find some donuts or the equivalent and go on a little Macaw search and find mission. We stopped at a local owned french bakery right at the entrance to the Ojochal village. We bought some, just out of the oven, amazing custard filled cinnamon rolls. We went across the street to the convenience store to get some sodas and some pasteles con pollo to round out the meal. Set with breakfast, we headed over to Tortuga Beach for a short morning walk. We drove down the winding jungle road towards the beach. The road is one lane with vegetation reaching into the car on both sides and giant potholes/mudpuddles going down each tire track. I'm sure that during rainy season driving on this particular road might be nearly impossible. We park right at the end on the edge of the beach near a gang of turkey vultures. The beach was empty. A vast, huge beach without another soul on it. Amazing solitude. WIthin steps of leaving our car we hear squawking in the distance that is surely the call of the scarlet macaw. We walked down the beach crossing a stream and sinking in areas of quick sand. Soon the macaws were within sight. A dozen or so macaws playing and fighting in a distance tree. WIthout thought, I recklessly plunged into the jungle vegetation. If you had been with us at this point, you would have seen me running, full speed, back to the water. Remember the reckless part--flip flops and fire ants don't mix. OUCH! Somehow though my crazed look and fire ant dance didn't deter the boys and they continued on with their eyes and ears fixed on the macaws. We spent a good long while watching the magnificent birds play before we walked on. On the beach we found numerous sand dollars. We kept only the dead ones and watched the lives ones burrow down into the sand between each wave. Walking more we encountered monkeys jumping and swinging on palms nearby. We also saw numerous lizards, crabs and other birds. It was a morning that was just what we had hoped for.

Eventually we headed back to our home to prepare for the beach picnic Ella had proposed yesterday. We made peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and packed all the costa rican junk food we could find at the supermercado. Ella had in her mind a beach with shade and hermit crabs, so we headed back to the beach near yesterdays dinner (yes, it was lunch but it took so long that we never ate dinner....Seriously!). As we drove through Ojochal, out of nowhere Eric skids to a halt as I look up and see a HUGE BOA! It had to have been nearly 8 feet long and a sizable diameter! The snake was fast, which is a good thing in my eyes, as Graham bolted from the car to try to catch it. We trudged through others property in search of the beast but never did find it. We could, however, check it off the list of must see wildlife! Another score for the day!

Finally at the beach, we all ate in the shade trying to keep the sand out of our sandwiches and more important our Imperials. We played in the waves, cooled off in the stream, let the sun soak our bodies, and walked up and down the sandy beach.

Eventually, we did head back home for the day, but our animals finds weren't done just yet. We planned a night hike in search of creepy crawlies. But first, swimming in the pool, dinner and relaxation....






































































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