Our last day on the Sea Lion was awesome as all the
others. It was a great way to end the trip. Everything started 15
minutes earlier so we could get a jump start on the tourists at Manuel Antonio
Nat'l Park.
The PA came on at 6:45, and we awoke to an overcast
day. Breakfast was at 7:15 with the special of the day being
eggs Benedict. We started taking the zodiacs to the park at
8:15 where we had two choices: a long, strenuous hike up to the
point and the wonderful, fairly easy Sloth Trail. I took the Sloth Trail
as we did last March when we were here, and I was thrilled that they had hired
the same local guide that we had last year: Karen Castillo. Karen
has magic eyes and can see birds, animals, insects that no one else would have
ever found. She remembered me from our March trip, and I was so pleased
that she was there to guide us this time.
Right off the bat Karen spotted a golden-naped woodpecker
and then a black iguana. We saw several black iguanas of various sizes on
the trail. An agouti (large rodent) followed us along in the woods. Soon
we had our first 2-toed sloth sighting way up in the trees. Even with
Karen's scope, it looked like a brown furry blob!
We saw a broad-winged hawk which was quite pretty.
The wild coffee was fruiting. A really neat sighting were 3
wax-tailed plant hoppers (large insects). We all had to strain to see
them high on a tree, but when we did it was amazing. I will have to look
them up and post the decent photo I got of it. Next came a thorn tree
with thorns at least 5" long in beautiful rings all up the trunk.
One of the most awesome things we saw this morning was a
mama hummingbird sitting on eggs in her nest. I cannot describe how cool
that was nestled between some large leaves. It took forever for me to see
it, but I got a really neat shot. Just after that, Karen got a rainbow
grasshopper in her scope. It was only about an inch long but was
brilliant neon colors. No one could get that shot, but it was neat to see
it.
Next were some adult tropical land crabs (Halloween
crabs). I actually got a decent shot, and they are beautifully colored.
A helmet lizard was a real challenge to spot because it looked just like
the leaf it was on. Then shortly we saw a 3-toed sloth. I actually
got a decent shot of it with its three toes but he had his head hidden.
Karen spotted another zig-zag spider for me and actually called me over
because she remembered how excited I was in March.
When we reached the entrance to the park (.7 mile) there
was a troop of howler monkeys cavorting way up in the trees. They were
fairly quiet and only started howling after we had started back down the path
back to the end of the trail and the beach where we would be picked up.
We start at the end of the trail by special dispensation
from the Park. We cannot enter by boat before the park opens, but at
least we have half the walk to ourselves before we meet up with those who have
come in by way of the entrance.
On the way back Karen spotted a green tree frog sleeping
under a leaf. It is known by its big red eyes, but this one was sleeping
and looked like part of the leaf. We saw a few more lizards and birds,
but by now it was time to head back to the ship for lunch. What an incredible
morning!
After showering, we had lunch - spicy tomato soup, salad
fixings with grilled flank steak, teriyaki fish, wild rice salad, roasted
veggies, and shortbread cookies with chocolate filling.
After lunch we had an end of cruise packet with our
shipboard purchases, credit card authorization form, directions for
disembarking and getting to the airport. Our statement was off. I
hadn't been charged for some of the Christmas ornaments I purchased, so I went
in to correct that. The purser was rather surprised that someone had
actually come in to be charged more. I would have done it anyway, but the
locals who made these items deserve the money for their products.
The ship stayed anchored off Manuel Antonio all
afternoon, and zodiacs ferried people back and forth to the beach if they
wanted. I didn't want more wet clothes, sand, and salt, so we just hung
out on the ship with most people.
Staff on the ship are getting ready for our departure and
a whole new set of guests tomorrow. Our Nat Geo naturalists were on the
aft deck cleaning all the snorkeling gear. That didn't look like fun.
Others were putting the zodiacs up on the top deck.
At 4:40, one of the professional photographers on the ship
gave a talk on some of her Nat Geo trips and experiences. She is a sweet,
cute, young thing and spent a lot of time in Lapland with the Sami's.
Then it was time for the last sunset. We were
treated to spotted dolphins swimming on the bow. That was pretty cool.
I tried to get some video since still photos were impossible. I got
a few seconds of neat dolphins.
At 7 we went in for the final, all-out dinner. The
choices were prime rib, fish (black snook), or wild mushroom risotto.
Bill got the prime rib and I got the fish with a small helping of the
risotto. It was paired with mashed potatoes, asparagus, and baby carrots.
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