Murcielagos Island and Bahia Huevos
Since yesterday we have been cruising through one of the oldest exposed terrains of Costa Rica, the Santa Elena Peninsula. Geologists estimate that these formations are around 80 million years old.
If we go back in time, 150 million years ago, Nicaragua was the southernmost area of North America, a sort of tropical peninsula, and South America extended up to the actual Colombia. But also at that time, things started to change. The Cocos Tectonic Plate collided with the Caribbean Plate and went under it and, while the Cocos plate subducted, much of the material it was carrying was scraped off and stuck to the coastline. This is why, for scientists, this northern part of the country is so hard to classify: much of that material that emerged has been dragged from other far way areas of the ocean crust.
Our destination this morning was the Murcielago Islands, part of the Santa Elena Peninsula Complex. So, surrounded by this wide open geology book, we set up our station with coolers, towels, chairs and a bunch of happy snorkelers. Some of us decided to begin the morning activities with some brisk exercise and hiked to the top of the mountain with our naturalist, Julio. The vegetation is very arid but the view is impressive; several dry-looking islands emerging from the deep blue ocean.
Back on board, the galley surprised us with hamburgers, barbecued ribs and chocolate cookies with vanilla ice cream. After that great lunch, we thought we had better plan some exercise for the afternoon and so we did. There was this nice sandy beach in a sheltered bay, framed with a lush green forest, where some of us did some snorkeling, swimming, beachcombing, kayaking and for the more adventurous a banana boat ride.
The afternoon threw its last colorful flashes as the Zodiac cruises through a nearby mangrove forest were coming back to the Sea Voyager. Another great day…
Since yesterday we have been cruising through one of the oldest exposed terrains of Costa Rica, the Santa Elena Peninsula. Geologists estimate that these formations are around 80 million years old.
If we go back in time, 150 million years ago, Nicaragua was the southernmost area of North America, a sort of tropical peninsula, and South America extended up to the actual Colombia. But also at that time, things started to change. The Cocos Tectonic Plate collided with the Caribbean Plate and went under it and, while the Cocos plate subducted, much of the material it was carrying was scraped off and stuck to the coastline. This is why, for scientists, this northern part of the country is so hard to classify: much of that material that emerged has been dragged from other far way areas of the ocean crust.
Our destination this morning was the Murcielago Islands, part of the Santa Elena Peninsula Complex. So, surrounded by this wide open geology book, we set up our station with coolers, towels, chairs and a bunch of happy snorkelers. Some of us decided to begin the morning activities with some brisk exercise and hiked to the top of the mountain with our naturalist, Julio. The vegetation is very arid but the view is impressive; several dry-looking islands emerging from the deep blue ocean.
Back on board, the galley surprised us with hamburgers, barbecued ribs and chocolate cookies with vanilla ice cream. After that great lunch, we thought we had better plan some exercise for the afternoon and so we did. There was this nice sandy beach in a sheltered bay, framed with a lush green forest, where some of us did some snorkeling, swimming, beachcombing, kayaking and for the more adventurous a banana boat ride.
The afternoon threw its last colorful flashes as the Zodiac cruises through a nearby mangrove forest were coming back to the Sea Voyager. Another great day…
