Bridge between two continents

Friday, September 8 -- We had a great trip with the students, north to the Po‡s Volcano, and on to Puerto Viejo de Sarapiqu’, where we took a two hour boat ride on the R’o Sarapiqu’. Wonderful views all along the way and the beautiful Cataratas La Paz (waterfalls).

The backbone of Costa Rica is formed by a long chain of volcanos. We're in the rainy season, and it seems to rain every afternoon. But the weather was perfect all day and I have never seen the Po‡s crater as clearly. The clouds were moving in and out, of course, and one moment you saw the pool in the crater and in the next it was obliterated.

The purpose of the river trip was to get a glimpse of the great variety of wildlife that abounds in this country. Because this is a bridge between two continents, the variety of species is immense for the size of the country. There are supposedly more species of birds in this little country than in all of the continental USA. We saw a great variety of exotic birds, a couple of crocodiles, monkeys, iguanas, and bright red tiny shiny frogs.

On the way we stopped at a mirador (overlook) and played with the tarantulas, which, they assured us, would not hurt us, while all around us swirred colibris.

• Group photo at Po‡s.
• Tammy shops for provisions on the way back.
• Group with pineapple on the boat. (90 Kb)