Don’t get me wrong, I did like Sarapiqui, but I don’t regret leaving the rain and constant damp behind in the tent. I had a moment of panic when I couldn’t find my phone but it was on a coffee table in the common area. And then I nearly boarded the van without my raincoat. Seems I’m getting more scattered as the days go by.
We drove for a couple of hours with only a short stop at a very clean gas station. Then on to the river where we boarded a boat to head downriver for the next hour and a half to a lovely Eco-lodge called Valverde on a lagoon across from the town of Tortugaro.
Jan and I settled into room 28 – quite nice with a ceiling fan as well as a stand up fan, though the room was still pretty hot. A delicious lunch was served in a beautiful open area with views on the lagoon on one side and the gardens on the other. Bird sightings at the lodge itself are wonderful – orapendulas, aracaris, grackles, thrush, melodious blackbird to name just a few.
After lunch we piled into the boat and headed to town for a wander around. The turtle conservancy is on the edge of town. Dawne adopted a baby turtle which is tagged and will be released. Anytime there is a sighting she will get an email about it.
The town of Tortugaro obviously caters to tourists. There were a lot of souvenir shops. Three green Macaws were harranguing everyone from the top of a very tall tree. Most of us found our way to the shore of the Caribbean which parallels the lagoon. The sand in this area is fine and black.
Back to the lodge for happy hour on the porch in front of our rooms and then off to yet another delicious meal. The cook(s?) here are definitely well- schooled. The meals are great but so is the presentation.
Tomorrow is an early start.