Tortuguero

Tortuguero is on the Northern part of the Caribbean Coast and is accessible by boat and air only. We drive from Punta Uva to the tiny settlement of La Pavona where we leave our car and catch a small boat, half an hour down the river to Tortuguero.

We arrive at sunset and walk through the small settlement to Cabinas El Icao where we will spend the next four days. It is right on the beach but the currents are strong and swimming is not advisable. I didn’t read that in the brochure! Luckily there is a small pool around the corner as it is very hot and humid here.

My scope of story telling has really narrowed lately, and in my head, when I sit down to write about a place it goes like this…….

fight fight, lock the door, poke someone with a pen, swearing, door slamming, fight fight, I’m hungry, Get out, No you get out, I was in here first, actually kids, it’s all of our room, shall we have a beer Jude, fight fight, punch, scratching, Oh my god, you didn’t just draw blood did you?, I knew you were a biter at creche but you’re ten now, I just want some space, me too, I miss my lego, I miss my friends, you don’t have any friends CAN WE JUST STOP TALKING ABOUT FAMILY DYNAMICS FOR A MINUTE AND LOOK AROUND AT WHERE WE ARE!!!!!

Roger “I’ll put the kettle on (in the bathroom)”

Jude “OK darling, that would be lovely”

I think I’ll just take more pictures of animals and less of the kids.

There are Green turtles hatching here in Tortuguero, except we only see one nest while we are there and there are so many people crowded around it that it’s hard to see what’s going on.

On our second day, we hire a small boat and  guide and paddle around the waterways that can’t be accessed by motor boat and therefore, better places to spot animals and birds.

Almost immediately, Louie spots a sloth trying to move from one tree to another. It’s determination is very admirable and at several points, it looks as though it may put too much weight on the branch and fall out of the tree. The male three toed sloths have these strange markings on their backs. It is a real treat to find a sloth being so vigorous as usually, you’re lucky if they move their heads very slowly to look at you.

The sheer volume of wildlife that we spotted is amazing and back at the Cabinas, there is a green vine snake hanging out on the fence.

The lack of cars and a small community of about 1500 people, make for a very tranquil place where animals cohabitant with their human neighbours quite happily.

 At first, I didn’t notice this howler monkey’s huge testicles. I did briefly consider photoshopping them out but that wouldn’t be an honest representation.