Osa Peninsula, Costa Rica
The day was glorious in all respects, from its first light to its last. During the prolonged sunrise we approached the northern edge of the large Corcovado Conservation Area which encompasses most of Costa Rica’s Osa Peninsula. Towering cumulus clouds rose above the land and were highlighted in golden shades as the sun slowly emerged above the horizon. Having finished a delicious breakfast, we soon started loading into Zodiacs for the short trip to San Pedrillo, the northern ranger station for the park. The skill of the ship’s Zodiac drivers was soon realized as there was a good surf hitting the beach. For the morning we divided into three different walks with small groups accompanied by a naturalist. One group went for a long hike uphill then along a densely forested primary forest covered ridge. Two groups ventured along the small river to a low waterfall and a higher cascade. Here some people decided the water was too enticing and refreshed themselves in the waterfall. A third group walked slowly along a flat section of trail spending the most time looking for wildlife and enjoying the tropical rainforest. Many people had a chance to see this lovely forest bird, black-throated trogon or at least to see one of the other species of trogons that lives in this unique forest. All of the groups had great success in seeing wildlife and being surrounded by this fantastic nature reserve.
During the middle part of the day we cruised offshore in search of marine mammals. A number of pantropical spotted dolphins found our bow to be a great place to surf. Soon after the middle part of the day, we anchored off Punta Caletas where the galley and dining room crew had prepared a wonderful picnic BBQ. The site was a spectacular setting for lunch and as we came ashore we were greeted by scarlet macaws wrestling in the trees just to the side of the tables. More macaws were seen later in the afternoon as people chose to relax at the picnic site, horseback ride, or read and rest on a beach nearby called Lapa Beach or Macaw Beach. A small group of horseback riders ventured down the coast and on the beach. Some decided to take a long ride while others felt a bit over an hour was suitable. In the late afternoon we again went off shore looking for marine mammals and again dolphins were attracted to our ship and the screams of us watching them. This wonderful day ended with cocktails on the sundeck and a beautiful orange sunset.
The day was glorious in all respects, from its first light to its last. During the prolonged sunrise we approached the northern edge of the large Corcovado Conservation Area which encompasses most of Costa Rica’s Osa Peninsula. Towering cumulus clouds rose above the land and were highlighted in golden shades as the sun slowly emerged above the horizon. Having finished a delicious breakfast, we soon started loading into Zodiacs for the short trip to San Pedrillo, the northern ranger station for the park. The skill of the ship’s Zodiac drivers was soon realized as there was a good surf hitting the beach. For the morning we divided into three different walks with small groups accompanied by a naturalist. One group went for a long hike uphill then along a densely forested primary forest covered ridge. Two groups ventured along the small river to a low waterfall and a higher cascade. Here some people decided the water was too enticing and refreshed themselves in the waterfall. A third group walked slowly along a flat section of trail spending the most time looking for wildlife and enjoying the tropical rainforest. Many people had a chance to see this lovely forest bird, black-throated trogon or at least to see one of the other species of trogons that lives in this unique forest. All of the groups had great success in seeing wildlife and being surrounded by this fantastic nature reserve.
During the middle part of the day we cruised offshore in search of marine mammals. A number of pantropical spotted dolphins found our bow to be a great place to surf. Soon after the middle part of the day, we anchored off Punta Caletas where the galley and dining room crew had prepared a wonderful picnic BBQ. The site was a spectacular setting for lunch and as we came ashore we were greeted by scarlet macaws wrestling in the trees just to the side of the tables. More macaws were seen later in the afternoon as people chose to relax at the picnic site, horseback ride, or read and rest on a beach nearby called Lapa Beach or Macaw Beach. A small group of horseback riders ventured down the coast and on the beach. Some decided to take a long ride while others felt a bit over an hour was suitable. In the late afternoon we again went off shore looking for marine mammals and again dolphins were attracted to our ship and the screams of us watching them. This wonderful day ended with cocktails on the sundeck and a beautiful orange sunset.
