Big old trees...

An "Ent", were sure we saw it move!
see all photos »

9.01.06

Drove to our eco lodge in Santa Elena up in the hills. A four hour drive. The last hour for the final 25K climb along a road worse than the lane leading to the farm! Good excuse for getting the jeep into four wheel drive mode though!

Big old trees...

We loved our eco lodge where we could see horses and lots of bird life from our windows. It was our own little timber villa.

Jess in the jungle
see all photos »

10.01.06

Chilled out in the lodge while Jess recovered from her sickness from the previous night. Jess:"Good way to lose the christmas bulge!"

Had a visit in the afternoon to an Orchid garden, over 400 different types!

11.01.06

Coati out for lunch
see all photos »

Went to the Monteverde cloud forest reserve. Lots of big old trees, but unfortunately not much wildlife. Poor weather blocked out any good photos of the views. It was a good trek through the forest though, the trees themselves were very cool and reminded us of the Ents from lord of the rings. We did see a Coati wondering about in the car park when we got back. There was also a hummingbird garden which was really amazing. They zoomed over and around us. They were very quick but we managed a couple of good photos!

One of the many hummingbirds
see all photos »

We headed off to Santa Elena in the afternoon, a smaller reserve managed by the local school children. Jess made friends with the resident pig (very funny photo!) It was more successful than Monteverde, we spotted a family of squirrel monkeys. We heard the howler monkeys but could not see them. Lots more exciting birds!

12.01.06

Went up to Selvatura, one of the new canopy suspension bridge trails. It had 8 bridges in all, high up level with the tree tops. Great views across the whole cloud forest, nothing but green in all directions! Headed off to the beach at Tamarindo in the afternoon to try and see the turtles.