Manuel Antonio, COSTA RICA

The Village of Manuel Antonio here towards the south, on the Pacific Coast of Costa Rica, is indeed another piece of paradise. The nearby national park of the same name is the main reason why I took the 5 hour minibus ride from Volcanoe Arenal. Yesterday spent most of the sunny day hiking.....tough hiking....in the dark shades of the jungle...saw quite a few animals but the prize was....a big mamma 3 toed sloth hanging upside down from a branch with her tiny woolley baby clinging to her tummy. What a sight! I have now seen many sloths and had several close encounters...I am a very happy man! On the way to Manuel Antonio we had to stop on the road to wait for a young sloth slowly....so slowly... crossing the road...how vulnerable he looked. Maybe they are just "stupid monkeys" .....nahhhh. Also yesterday in the park got a very close encounter with a White Faced Capuchin Monkey". What a cutie!

I'm heading back north today to the cloud forests of Monte Verde and Santa Elena. Tomorrow south to Volcanoe Poas if open due to major eruptions last week...will also spend several hours at a local Rock Musical Festival in the park...near the volcanoe....to beef up my Costa Rican cultural spirits. Then Sunday back to San Jose and Monday north to Nicaragua.

Adios Amigos!