Monday November 14th - Swimming in the Rain

The author did not have a good day yesterday and missed some stuff out of the blog. The photograph of the day was this one, taken from our balcony, showing the Arenal Volcano layered in clouds during a brief break in the mist and rain.

By way of contrast the view from the balcony at 06.00 this morning looks like this.

Today we have a Sky Walk booked at some kind of Nature Theme Park about 20 minutes drive away. The drive takes a bit longer as we have to stop for a family of White-nosed Coatis that are playing on and alongside the road down from the hotel. Costa Rica has a few different species of medium size mammals that are probably best described as woozles.

We cross the dam again and then turn off the main road to climb up into the hills to the west of the volcano. There is another pause as a Collared Anteater saunters across the road in front of us. We are too gobsmacked to get a photo.

Our arrival at the Sky Park is bang on time at 08.00 in a light drizzle. The car park is almost empty but the reception centre is open. We dig out our rain jackets and boots. Our guide, Tonio, is waiting for us and leads the way onto the Sky Walk, a well maintained footpath that gently zigzags up the side of the mountain. There are some footbridges across valleys over 200 feet below and still the trees reach up to us.

Many of the trees have ephytites growing on their trunks and branches. These are not parasitic plants as such because they do not rely on their hosts for food, only support. Tonio tells us that of all the plants in this forest only 40 % are rooted in the ground. We are in the transition zone from Rain Forest to Cloud Forest and birds from both zones may be seen. The weather cheers up a bit, as the cloud lifts somewhat and the drizzle stops. We are able to pack our rain jackets away. We come across a tree that seems to be a butterfly magnet, attracting a few different types, including the Glass Winged Butterfly, named for the transparent panels on its wings.

R is thrilled when Tonio spots some Antbirds, both Bicoloured and Occelated varieties, which our bird book lists as Uncommon. These are the birds that we struggled to see at La Selva but they are much closer today. Tonio manages to get one sighted in his spotter scope and R gets a picture on her phone.

Our walk up the mountain culminates at a waterfall where R is disappointed by the lack of Dippers. Although there haven't been huge numbers of birds it has been an interesting and informative hike. On the way back down we realise how lucky we are to have had an early start. There are large, noisy groups heading up the trail whilst overhead, thrill seekers flash by on the zip wires. Not much chance of seeing Antbirds from there.

We thank our guide and pause at the cafe for cups of tea. There is a decent view of the lake and of the vultures flying around. We decide to head back to the hotel to explore the grounds. As we leave the Sky Park it begins to rain. The timings for our morning walk could not have been better.

We haven't written a lot about the Arenal Lodge. It has a kind of slightly faded grandeur, reminiscent of large hotels in the Highlands of Scotland. It isn't very busy and seems to get by on minimum staffing but everybody is friendly enough. Our room has a party wall with the restaurant where the choice of background music is truly dreadful. Luckily the rainfall drowns out the muzak for large parts of the day and it is switched off quite early. There was a real bonus at breakfast as somebody forgot to turn it on until we were nearly finished.

The hotel also has some outdoor facilities including two nature walks, a hummingbird garden, a football table and a swimming pool. Our plan is to try out the walks, watch the hummingbirds and maybe have a swim. We played table football last night but R gave up after going two goals down. By the time we get back it is lashing it down so we opt for an early lunch, having worked up an appetite. Whilst we have lunch our room is serviced. Towel art is reaching new heights here.

The rain has eased a bit so we don our rain jackets and set off to the Hummingbird Garden but after a couple of false lulls the rain really sets in and drives us back to the room. On the balcony we discover an intruder.

We decide that whatever we do outside today we are going to get wet so a swim seems to be in order. The front desk don't seem at all surprised by our request for pool towels. The pool isn't just any old pool but an infinity pool with a view of the volcano. Once we adjust to the temperature it is very relaxing, particularly as we have it to ourselves. It also gives D an excuse to test out his waterproof phone pouch which allows photography whilst keeping the water out.

Tonight's Spanish homework is to translate "No sentarse en la baranda". The answer will be posted tomorrow. It is unlikely that there will be prizes.