Jacob our guide was accompanying us back to the airfield we had arrived at some 3 days before, so we met him at the tractor pick up point and travelled down to the beach to pick up our boat. Before we left we checked on the humming bird and her nest one last time to make sure it was all OK!
It was high tide so we waded out to the boat - giving mum a saddle lift to aid her boarding! We then had a fast boat ride back to the river estuary, passing a few brown booby birds on route. They are similar to our gannets and are great fishing birds. We entered the river system and took in the wonderful forested hills that tower over the river. As a short cut we also cut through part of the mangrove area. This is the largest section of mangrove swamp in Central America and is very dramatic with its twisted root system making an impenetrable forest.
Too soon we were back at the quay area and then we transferee back to the airfield where we and our luggage was weighed again in preparation for our flight. We said our goodbyes to Jacob, who was meeting a couple off our flight to take to the lodge. We will miss Jacob's enthusiasm, humour, professionalism and impeccable manners, he is truly an excellent advert for his profession and the lodge.
Our flight arrived early and we we had an excellent couple of flights with tremendous views of the coast and mountains as we flew back to San Jose. Upon arrival we were met by our new guide, Fabian and our driver, Olman. Both are very nice and have a good sense of humour, so we should have a great 6 days with them as we travel further north and east to new areas.
After a brief stop for a resupply of rum we headed north towards the Poas volcano area. Here we stopped to view a coffee plantation and sample and buy some excellent coffee. Next was lunch at a great family run place 'Freddo Fresas'. They grow strawberries at this height so we sampled a fresh strawberry milkshake with an exceedingly tasty lunch of rice, beans and salad served with fish, beef or chicken. Fabian then brought us some of the local moonshine which the family used to give the local guide to persuade them to bring their clients to buy strawberries from them. It was very strong and certainly not recommended if you were driving!
They have a wonderful little garden opposite the restaurant which has humming bird feeders. We spent twenty minutes watching the birds coming into feed and trying our best to catch them in flight, easier said than done!
We then headed off on our route to Sarapique stopping off at some waterfalls and spotting more wildlife in the trees lining a tremendous gorge that we were travelling along. We saw more Howler monkeys, a Roadside Hawk and a Coatamundi feeding on some discarded bread. We finally reached our new lodge just as it was getting dark. Tomorrow we are heading off to a local Biological Research area, which Fabian informs us is great for wildlife.
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