Birds, birds, birds...we have seen so many that I can only start...humming birds, parots, paraquets, tucans, makaws, kiscadees, tanagers, vulchers, hawks, and many more I cannot name. We have also seen monkeys, sloths, iguanas, lizards, and today we should see aligators. We are currently on the beach and jungle in the southwest corner of Costa Rica. Soon we will be back to reality.

We are now 8 days in to our trip and have reached the Osa Pennisula where Barton is teaching. We spent two days in the Orosi Valley and had a terrific trout dinner at the top, swam in the river, went to a great Argentinian restaurant, and saw some of colonial Costa Rica. Last night we stayed in Dominical and today we arrived at the Iguana Lodge in Puerto Jimenez. We have seen iguanas, scarlet macaws, tucans, and who knows what. I will post a slide show as soon as I get home.

Days 2-4 were spent at Lake Arenal at La Mansion. We had two cabins overlooking the lake, with a view from the porch, entry room, and bedroom. We were practically the only ones around and saw lots of birds from out cabins, jacuzzi, and restaurant. Day 2 we went for a swim in the lake, Day 3 we went into the rain forest through hanging bridges, and Day 4 we went to the national park at the base of the volcano. We saw (and heard) howler monkeys, a sloth, and many types of birds. Many, many pictures to follow...

Day One in Costa Rica we were able to stay with Barton's first host family in La Fela just outside San Jose. Maricel, Alfredo, Kenneth, and Kevin were wonderful hosts and we enjoyed a nature tour and terrific meals provided by HM2.
Muchas gracias por toda su compasion y su hospidalidad. De verdad nos divertimos mucho, y en especial quiero decir que Maricel cocina muy bien. Que buena madra para Barton!