Costa Rica: Cahuita National Park

I spent the day in the Cahuita National Park. It’s right next to the beach so you can hear the sea all the time. It’s possible to follow the trail from Cahuita all the way round the peninsula to the next town – about 8 kms.

As soon as we entered the park we spotted howler monkeys in the trees.
The park wasn’t too busy with tourists so we were lucky with our wildlife spotting!

The anteater came right up close to us on the path.

Being so close to the sea, there were tonnes of crabs: bright blue and orange.

A guide had spotted a sloth, too. It was such a baby I don’t think we would have spotted it on our own.

When we got to the other end we took the bus back into Cahuita for lunch and then went to Playa Negra this afternoon. Huge waves and almost deserted!

Little Corn: a hidden gem!

Yet another early start to catch the morning flight to Big Corn.
A quick boat ride over to Little Corn and we were transported to this tiny Caribbean island, with no roads, no cars, just peace! Well deserved after my double volcano extravaganza I like to think!

The island is just one mile square, so everyone knows everybody. The people are all so happy. You can’t walk along the path without someone stopping to say hello and have a little chat!

Kelly started dive school so I was left to my own devices to make new friends. I’d like to introduce Evan…

He was far more interested playing with my camera rather than going to school. When he arrived at school by way of Rachel-piggy-back the teacher was less than surprised…it seems to be a daily occurrence!

Yesterday there was excitement on the beach. First off a dead fish washed up, which then attracted a nurse shark right to the waters edge. Then later washes up an eel.

After a thorough investigation (!) it turns out the boys had been fishing and decided the eel wasn’t worth the hassle and had thrown it back in!

After a delicious meal at the Turned Turtle (their piña coladas are the best on the island!) it was time to say goodbye to Kelly today.

Back to the shack that is the airport- no high tech X-ray security, just a man who opens your bag and asks if you have any banned items!

Then the short flight back to Managua, where I’m staying the night before crossing the border to Costa Rica tomorrow.

Caye Caulker Belize: sun sea and sand

It was an early start again on Monday to get the 5 o’clock bus from Flores to Belize City. After a slight panic that the bus hadn’t arrived on time (why the panic, I don’t know! Central American time has been rather loose) an old man came along ringing his bike bell announcing he would take us to Belize!

Luckily the bus ride and border crossing were uneventful which was a huge relief!
Having been warned off Belize City, we hopped straight onto the boat to Caye Calker.

An absolutely stunning Caribbean Island!

On Tuesday we went snorkelling in Hol Chan, a big marine reserve just off the island.

Hester’s first snorkelling experience!
Sharks and turtles!

On the way back to shore we enjoyed some stunning views with ceviche and rum punch of course!

Tuesday I was up early again! This time to dive the Blue Hole. But I was rewarded with a stunning sunrise.

The Blue Hole was amazing. Swimming through stalagtites 40m below the sea, with curious sharks wanting to say hello! After the Blue Hole I did two more dives which were also great. The Blue Hole was definitely my favourite though!

We stopped at a desert island for lunch before heading back to shore (with an obligatory rum punch of course!).

This little fella was hard to photograph- he kept turning his back on me!

We decided to treat ourselves to a nice seafood dinner in the evening.

Fran had been chatty through the week.

Unfortunately it did turn out to be a bit of a disappointment. Very garlicky and rather suspect looking mash with lobster is certainly not my favourite!