It's been a few days since I blogged!
Last Thursday, we drove to Jaco where Kyle, Ernie and I left a few dollars. We found another rooster for our cupboard collection and spent some time wondering through the souvenir shops, taking a look at the beach at Jaco. We didn't stay as it was very hot. We drove down the road to see the crocodiles at Tarcoles and tried to find the macaws we'd seen previously. They, of course weren't, there, but they did fly overhead later as we were leaving a roadside restaurant after a late lunch.
On Friday, at Kyle's request, we had a lazy day at the beach in in the pool here at the house we are renting.
Saturday morning we left early to make a day of it before we dropped off Kyle at a hotel close to airport for his early morning flight on Sunday. We drove to the Poas Volcano whichis at nearly 9000 feet altitude and there I discovered that Coast Rica does have some cool spots. The walk to the volcano was cool and drizzly, but enjoyable. We were told that the volcano was clouded over and they were right, but hundreds of others like us decided to walk the 20 minute walk to the lookout point. We missed a beautiful sight as we could see from the interpretation center, but enjoyed the lush growth and the cool, air of the area. From there we drove to the La Pas Watefall Gardens, a nature park and wildlife refuge, mostly to see the butterflies, which is advertised as the worlds largest butterfly observatory. I was slightly disappointed. But to be fair the sun wasn't out and so the butterflies weren't as active as they would have been in the  sunlight. We did see a lot and enjoyed what we did see. The highlight for me was the hummingbird area! There were hundreds of hummingbirds at feeders, in the trees, and flying about! There was a magnificent purple hummingbird which we could stand inches from and watch as they drank the sugar water! There were many, many species there! I was fascinated and didn't want to leave, but there were other things to see. There was a toucan area, with two different species of toucans, one with a very colourful bill and the other with a yellow bill. Both Ernie and Kyle, with the the help of a guide, let the toucans sit on ttheir arms. Parrots, macaws, Jaguars, ocelots and other cats, monkey, orchids, frogs, it was all an amazing place.
Valentine's Day was spent quietly here by the pool, on the beach in the morning, and down to the beach about 4:30 with our chairs to watch the people and the sunset at 5:45.
Today we have to bring in some more groceries , so that will mean a trip about 30 k down the road.
I finally asked one of the office staff about crocodiles in the river, which Kyle named Croc River, the one we love to float in after a 30 minute walk. And yes he said there are crocodiles in the river, there are crocodiles everywhere in Costa Rica. In fact he said there are crocodiles in the river under the bridge we drive over everyday on our way to the beach! It is only about 200 meters from the gate at this complex. As an added piece of info, from Kyle, that small stream is the river that ends up at the ocean where we have been floating merrily along. I guess it is like bears in Sask. Yes there are bears there, but you don't always have an encounter.
Well, nearly noon, time for lunch and the air conditioner!