2021 Costa Rica Conservation Expedition

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Day 10

Written by Sami Faull
Yesterday was our last day in Costa Rica. Lindsi, Lauren, Cam, and Wyatt left in the morning after breakfast. Sophie, Noah, Audric, Meryl, and Sami did not leave in the morning because they had a later flight. Instead they had lunch at a restaurant called Fogoncito. After lunch we hung out a bit before going to the mall for some frozen yogurt. We then had dinner and headed to the airport. Our flight was the delayed until 3am! Shortly after the delay the flight  was canceled. Then we headed back to casa cielo grande for a good night’s rest before returning to the airport today.
¡Hasta luego!

Day 9

Today started with early preparation for our final day departure with COVID testing at 7am. The results had come back in only a matter of 15 minutes with all results negative (thankfully). The next stop from the farm was hiking back up towards the bus to go white water rafting in the Savegre River rapids. The hike itself was exhausting. Once on the bus all I did for the next two hour ride there was sleep. We arrived at the river around noon.

For rafting, the guidelines given were to not fall off and what to do if it does happen. One of us (who will go unnamed) fell off our raft within the first few seconds of even getting on there was nothing else to do but laugh. It was the most amazing experience. Rafiki was the name of the group we went rafting with. They collect money and funds to employ local people for work and protect the forest and river around them. They also provide basic and proper upkeep. They have hired around 25 locals at Rafiki, which is 1/4 of the towns population. 80% of their funding also goes back into the town and into rainforest preservation. We went rafting for about 2 hours.

Today had been one of the greatest experiences. We stopped to see a waterfall where we spotted a squirrel monkey. The guide had told us so many facts about Costa Rica, the local area and how rapids change almost on a daily basis due to rain fall. Thinking back on everything that we had done today and on our trip with the people and places we have met and seen it’s all just incredible. These moments are ones I will never forget.

Day 8

Written by Cam Longshore

In the morning we had scrambled eggs, rice with beans, cereal, fruit, banana bread, and juice. After breakfast we played pool. Then we walked to the bus and drove to Nauyaca waterfall. We took a trail to the lower waterfall first. We swam and jumped off of rocks for a while then walked to the upper waterfalls. There we ate lunch, climbed rocks and hung out. Then we walked up to a tractor that had like a trailer attached to it and we rode that up to the bus. The bus took us as far as it could then we walked the rest of the way back to the farm. We had a little time to settle down then we went to Roy and Graciela’s and had a coffee break and talked about dinner. We then went to dinner. It was spaghetti with tomato sauce and garlic bread. There was also fruit and fruit juice. After dinner we all talked and played a few walking tree travel games then went back to our bungalows and I went to sleep.

Day 7

Written by Maryl Hartmann
Before breakfast we got packed for our next stop. We ate breakfast and then said goodbye to our friends at the reserve. We then began our drive to the restaurant on the water where we would spend most of the day buying souvenirs at artisan shops like bracelets and wooden animals. After we had lunch at the restaurant we headed to the bungalows to settle in. Soon after Roy, Graciela, Alejandro, and Edison who owned the family farm next to us came to start the tour of their farm. We learned about all of the cool crops that they grew there as well as the animals that they had. We then we’re taken to their outdoor kitchen and eating area to make empanadas, drink their famous coffee, and dance. When we were done we headed back to our bungalows to get ready for dinner. After dinner we went to the farm family’s pool and then headed to bed afterward.

Day 6

Written by Wyatt Longshore

On day 6, we had a breakfast that consisted of scrambled eggs, rice with beans, and fruit. After breakfast we walked to Ojochal public library and we met a dog named Bruce. At the library we split into three groups, two painting groups and one group that worked inside. One painting group did a mural of leaves and vines, and the other painted pillars around the building. The group that worked inside rearranged shelves and moved books. After we got back we had a lunch that consisted of rice with beans, some pumpkin type stuff, and fruit juice. After lunch about half the group went out to a river and saw a jaguarandi. That little group walked back and relaxed with everyone else until we had a meeting. After the meeting we ate dinner which consisted of hamburgers, fries, and fruit juice. After dinner Noah and Lindsi went snake and frog hunting and it was successful. Hillary, Sophie, Sammie, and Lauren cleared the room and danced for an hour. They learned the salsa, merengue, and the bachata.

Day 5

Written by Sophie Leta Guillemette 

The early morning turtle check started at 1 AM. On their walk, Sami, Lauren, Meryl, Sophie, and Hillary Block through the jungle to get to the beach. Sadly, the group didn’t find any turtles, the goal is to observe adult turtles laying their eggs or to find eggs and bring them to the hatchery. The reason the eggs need to be brought to the outdoor hatchery is because cultures and other threats to harm the exit for the hat. On the groups journey, they were able to spot and I wanna in the palm tree, many types of frogs, crocodiles in the same river they had to cross at high Tide, and bats in the cave on the shore.

In the early morning, the other group members, Noah, Wyatt, Cam, Lindsi walked on the beach at peak high tide on the same mission. While this group to was unsuccessful in finding turtles they saw hermit crabs, scarlet macaws and smelt local wild pigs. 

After breakfast, the big group took a trip to the beach and swim in the ocean away from riptides.

At 1:30, after lunch we split into two groups again. Sophie, Audric, Lindsi, and Wyatt changed the trap cameras. The reserve uses trap camera to observe wildlife that is difficult to see in person. When the group return they watch the footage and identified:

  • Gray four-eyed opossum
  • Crab-eating Raccoons
  • Bats
  • A pregnant gray four-eyed opossum 
  • Tinamu 
  • Aguti (wild pig)
  • Nine-banded armadillo
  • Jaguarundi (wild small jaguar)
  • White Ibis (stork like bird)
  • Rufous-tailed hummingbird 
  • Young green iguana

The other group (Sami, Noah, Cam, Meryl, and Lauren) planted Coconut at the beach where the beach was eroding. The group dug and planted about 20 Coconuts.

After dinner Cam, Wyatt, Noah and Lindsi went on a night hike from 7 PM to 10 PM on the beach where they saw frogs, hermit crabs, bats, bio luminescent plankton.

Birds, Bats, and Turtles

Written by Lindsi Osiris Reyes
This morning we split up into two groups and one of us went birdwatching while the other went bat or turtle spotting. All of the birds I saw were absolutely beautiful, we got to see some macaws, some vultures, and we even saw some large kingfishers, but I think one of the most surprising things that my group saw was some worker ants that were red. I think the other group saw awesome bats too.
One of the most beautiful things I think I experienced was being able to be in an actual jungle and really appreciate nature. Sometimes we connect with things that we don’t even know we’re connecting with and this place was one of those. The sounds, the smells, the way my feet felt when I crushed fallen leaves- even hugging the big Ceiba tree made me feel that much more alive. After that we had breakfast which was very delicious chicken. And some of us went to go volunteer to help plant some trees in a local community playground. That was very rewarding and we got to meet some of the locals. Then we had lunch. After that we went monkey and bat watching which was pretty cool, my group saw about six bats all from the same family in the same jungle and we even heard some howler monkeys which was pretty impressive because they are very loud even when they are super far away. Once that was done we came back and relaxed until lunchtime. Then we played some card games, danced a bit, then had dinner and went to sleep because the next day there was a night walk at one in the morning. It was a pretty fun, pretty eventfull day.

La Cusinga

Written by Noah Wizda

Yesterday we woke up at 7:30am for breakfast at the hotel before leaving for la cusinga- an eco lodge, restaurant and hiking area. After ordering our food we took to the trails and on the way down saw a tree that was over 400 years old among other plants. When we arrived at the beach we took some time swimming in the open ocean alongside huge waves and many crabs. We walked along the beach opening coconuts and finding several small caves. On the way back the rain had stopped and we ate our lunch alongside with milkshakes and smoothies. After lunch we spent some time looking at the local toucans only found in our area before heading to the reserva playa tortuga. Once we were there the rest of the evening was ours so we spent time playing uno, competitive ping pong, and Egyptian ratscrew. The reserve was also home to Dino, a stray puppy taken in by the reserve. Dino is around 4 months old and loves playing tug of war and opening coconuts. After a filling dinner courtesy of the reserve we picked our activities for the following day before we headed off to bed.

This morning we began a series of conservation activities with the local researchers. More to come soon!

2021 Costa Rica Conservation Expedition Day 2

Written by Audric Matthew Terestenyi 

Today we woke up at 6:45 and had a wonderful breakfast which was rice with beans, scrambled eggs, toast, and pineapple. After breakfast we drove for about 4 hours to our next hotel in Osa. While on the way there we stopped at a fruit stand that had delicious mangos, coconuts, papayas, and some other really interesting fruits that we got to sample! At noon we stopped at a restaurant just near our hotel, the restaurant had great food and everyone seemed to enjoy! I (Audric) had some rice with chicken and a salad.

After eating we went straight to the beach. This beach was so beautiful! It had a sand bar in the shape of a whales tale and had great waves that we got to surf on! Everyone had a great time surfing and we all picked it up very fast! While on the beach we saw wild Macau’s and monkeys climbing in the trees!
After surfing many of us if not all were exhausted, so we went to our hotel which was just a short walk away. There we rested up and got ourselves settled. At dinner we spoke about all the things we learned such as: all of the active volcanoes in Costa Rica and how Costa Rica has many coffee and palm oil plantations. Today was a fun and exciting day for all of us and we can’t wait for tomorrow!

Arrival to “The Big House in the Sky”

Written by Tommy Tyson

Today the group arrived in waves to San Jose, the capital of Costa Rica situated in the Central Valley. Upon arrival to Juan Santa Maria Airport, the travelers were greeted by the humidity before weaving through the urban center and shuttling up to Casa Cielo Grande, our accommodations for the evening. As the name suggests, the hotel is a big, beautiful house with stunning views overlooking the valley.

Once most of our group was settled in, we played some games and got to know each other. We also held an orientation meeting where we went through the details of our adventures to come. The group was exhausted after a long day of travel, but grateful for the rest and relaxation at the hotel. Tomorrow we are on our way to the pacific coast- more to come soon!

Hasta pronto.

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