Cool Cahuita

My last night in Tortuguero was a good end to the time spent in one of my favourite places so far in Costa Rica.  There was an absolutely amazing sunset over the canals, for which I was gutted I didn't have my camera.  Then it was time for some good food with some people I'd met there, and lots of card playing afterwards.  Very chilled out.  I was sad to leave, but the next morning was so rainy that there was no sense in staying.  Tortuguero is really unique, surrounded by water and fantastic wildlife.  The people in charge of the cabinas were so friendly and helpful, which really helped to make my stay.  One day it was decided that I really needed to see the small herd of wild boar that had taken up residence in the village due to a jaguar scaring them out of the jungle.  So off we set, picked up another local on the way who armed himself with a large knife/machete thing (scary!), and found the boar.  They like to attack humans if they're scared, hence necessity of the machete.  Another time I was feeling a bit under the weather, probably heat stroke, so I was made a herbal tea using plants from the garden to settle my stomach.  I can't see the average English b&b owner being this helpful and keen to show off the local wildlife!

Anyway, I did have to leave and so I caught a boat by the skin of my teeth to Puerto Limon, the town where the docks are that export all the bananas.  The boat journey was uncomfortable to say the least, and another white-knuckle ride.  It was absolutely hammering it down with rain and the boat was designed to take nine passengers.  With only four of us, and me the only tourist, I was put at the front to take the brunt of the rain.  No fun at all, with the rain pouring in all the gaps in my poncho and a similar fast and obstacle-avoiding strategy from the driver as the boat ride on the way.  Plus a random stop to mend another boat on the way.

Idyllic paradise

I finally arrived in Limon in dire need of a beer to calm the nerves, and I was lucky to catch the second half of England Sweden (or not!) with said beer.  Then another bus to Cahuita, a village on the southern Caribbean coast.  Cahuita was just as chilled out and relaxed as Tortuguero, but with the odd car thrown in and slightly less hammocks.  Reggae music blared out from homes and bars and the black sand beach was fringed with palm trees.  When the sun came out it was pretty much an idyllic paradise.

I went snorkelling the following morning on Costa Rica's biggest coral reef, via boat, and saw lots of fish, an octopus and a sea cucumber.  I was quite pleased not to see a shark as there was a small one about apparently, although on my next snorkelling adventure I think that might be my aim.  My favourite fish was a jewel fish that was dark blue with lots of bright blue spots.  Then there was some more hammock action, followed by eating catch of the day in a restaurant that evening.  Catch of the day was shark!  It was cooked Caribbean style and was most tasty.  It was great to get some garlic!  Costa Rican cooking is slightly bland; the best things are fresh fruit and fried plantain.  The coffee's pretty good too.

This morning it was time for some more sunbathing, before I caught the bus back to San Jose to overnight before heading down to the South West Pacific coast.  Here I am hoping that I might get to swim with dolphins!