Alrighty adventurers, here we are in beautiful, lush, rain forested Costa Rica and today’s foray is to the Rio Grande Tarcoles for a Jungle Crocodile Safari!!!

While we’re on the bus, let me give you some of the demographics shared with us by our tour guide Kitty.

Costa Rica (Costa – Coast and Rica – Rich so the literal interpretation is Coast Rich or Rich Coast) is a small Central American country relatively the same size as West Virginia but with more than twice the population – 4.8 million people. The main language is Spanish. Unlike the flat, arid ABC Islands, Costa Rica is covered with mountains and jungle. They are very eco conscious here – 2/3 of the country is protected lands and preserves.

 

In just over an hours bus ride toward the center of the country, we have arrived at the site of our excursion, boarded our flat bottomed boat and we’re on our way.

Between Kitty, Roberto (our boat driver), and our handy-dandy bird guides, there are things to see/photograph everywhere, so today it’s all about the pictures.

For those of you who haven’t guessed, I am a nature enthusiast. I love flora, fauna, landscapes, waterscapes… of all kinds, so this was a real treat, especially the birds.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After a bit, we came upon our first crocodile. Well, actually we had seen several in the water but all you could see were their eyes for a second or two at a time – rough to photograph. Anyway, this gal was lying on the bank in full view – very cool!

 

 

 

She actually turned towards us which made some of the passengers a bit nervous. I was okay with it as long as she didn’t start swimming. We were informed that they can swim up to 37 miles an hour for short periods of time, Yikes!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This rare and handsome creature is Milan. We sat together on the bus and talked about his job, home, aspirations, and politics. It is always so interesting to hear what others think about our country. The conversation was very interesting and Milan is a delight as was our wild jungle safari.

A great day in beautiful Costa Rica.