Costa Rica: Trekking through the tropical rain forest

So the day after Jeremy and I arrived in Drake Bay (see previous post), we went on a trek into Corcovado National Park. We specifically picked this park among the many options that Costa Rica has to offer because of is renown for wildlife and remoteness. We were definitely not disappointed with what we saw there. It was hot and sticky, and the showers were FREEZING cold water, but eh, its the jungle and you put up with it. Among the creatures not pictured, we saw some sharks, loads of monkeys - howler, squirrel, and capuchin, the beautiful blue butterflies, and many bugs. 

This is a spider larva. I forget what kind. 

Toucan! 

This was shot through the scope that our guide had. He was able to zoom in a many creatures that were too far up in the trees to get a good clear shot. 

Crazy roots!

A black lizard taking in some sun

Another lizard strutting his stuff

Can you see the crocodile?? It's (thankfully) on the other side of the river. 

A close-up through the scope if you couldn't see him in the other picture

One of many kinds of mushroom/fungus found in the forest

A wee little tent bat - they bite part of the big leaf so that it makes a little tent for them to hide in during the day. Once the leaf withers, they find a new home. This one is about to vacate and find a new leaf

Pit viper! I got a bit close to this one before I realized his was venomous... oops!

Fisherman spider - again, one of many kinds of spiders in the forest. We also saw whip scorpion, banana, and wolf spiders. 

Howler or spider monkey - I forget which. 

One of the best finds during our trip! Through the scope, of course, but you can see the happy face! This sloth is also a mama sloth - the white fur is the baby, but it didn't show its face until later and I didn't get a picture while the little one was looking at us. 

Pretty sunrise 

Back there is a tapir just chillin in the mud

We didn't arrive to Sirena ranger station this way (this is an even teenie tinier plane than the one we took to Drake - only seating 5 people including the pilot). Can you see the runway? Yeah, is that dirt path between the tall grasses. Yikes! 

This was how we arrived (and we are glad we are not having an emergency here because we wouldn't get out any time soon). The boats all come in early in the morning, then take back to Drake those who have finished their trek. 

Monkeys

And more monkeys

Now, what is a better reward than to swim in the clear, crisp fresh waters of one of the rivers draining from the hills of the forest after a long day's hike? I can't think of one. So nice and refreshing! 

Jer is finding a ledge to jump off of

The moment before the backflip! 10 out of 10! 

Costa Rica - the adventure of just getting there

Jeremy and I decided to do something unusual this year for Christmas - we decided to go to Costa Rica and spend the holidays in the rainforest and on the beach. In order to get to where we wanted to go, it involved 4 flights and a rough and tumble taxi ride. We set off for Drake Bay, Costa Rica and after about 20 hours of travel, we had arrived! Here are some pictures.

This was the size of the plane for the 4th flight. Thankfully it was only an hour long... it was definitely the smallest plane we had ever been on. 

And it was FULL!

We were in the back, but still had pretty tight quarters

Interesting view of Manuel Antonio - we were thinking about visiting there, but ended up staying the whole time in Drake Bay. 

The curve of land that you see in the middle of the picture -> DRAKE BAY -> Beautiful tropical rainforest and warm water. 

This was our landing strip for that teenie tiny plane

And this was the "airport terminal"

We are now on the taxi ride and yes, we are going over a river - hence the "rough and tumble" part from above. Many of the potholes in the road were as big as I was. 

And we have arrived at Drake Bay! 

Happy to not be traveling any more! 

Treating ourselves to some smoothies

Such a pretty view! More to come tomorrow! 

Portland Weekend Away

A couple weeks ago, I realized that we had stayed in California for several weekends in a row and therefore needed to go somewhere cool. So happens we also had a coupon for a discounted flight with Virgin America, so we chose the coolest destination (ie "cheapest") and we went to Portland! Flew out Friday night and came back on Monday morning. We packed the weekend with walking around downtown, shopping at the weekend market, eating really good food and going on awesome hikes. And to finish out the weekend, we loaded up on voodoo donuts. It was awesome. Sorry I don't have a picture of the amazing donuts. They were so good we ate them before we realized we should have taken a picture. Enjoy the pictures I did take! 

Saturday hike around Mt Hood area - it was kinda rainy, but sheltered because of the trees

So pretty!

We had to cross over several waterfalls. Jer shows us how its done!

Water everywhere!

Sunday hike to Angels Rest, then Devils Rest. The view above (from Angels Rest) was much better. We are looking out along the Columbia River Gorge. 

Lots of water here, but it wasn't raining. All the leaves were shimmering because of the water droplets that didn't evaporate (it was a bit chilly)

View from Devil's rest looking the other direction along the gorge

Pretty impressive

Greeeeeeeeeen everywhere! It was so peaceful up here.