Very comfortable in Cahuita, but time to move on. Early bus to Limon, Costa Rica's biggest port. through miles of banana plantations, there is even a river named bananito. Today, I travelled the Caribe coast of Costa Rica from near the Panama border to close to Nicaragua by bus, taxi, and boat.
Limon was busy and hot, tried to mail postcards but there was a line of 14 at the post office waiting on benches for registered mail, maybe passports. Approaching Limon, I saw 2 cruise ships that were the biggest I have ever seen. Even their height probably exceed all but a few Maine structures. I found a taxi to Moin, the next town where the boats left to Tortuguero. There was also a huge container port next to Moin.
This little river port was inundated by buses of tourists from the cruise ships of all nationalities. They were all taking their condensed nature tour. I was just getting transport to Tortuguero. This boat route has existed for many decades since paved roads in eastern Costa Rica were first initiated in the 1980's. I finally boarded the Tortuguero transport. It was three and half hours of fascination, somewhat hampered by the 90 horsepower outboard noise and the speed (we had to slow in manatee rich areas).
three and a half hours went pretty quickly with the variations of a jungle canopy, open canals with ocean waves breaking in, monkeys, crocs, turtles and thousands of different kinds of herons.
I didn't get a picture of the maybe twelve-foot croc who quickly slid into the water but the trip passed by old launch stops.
the launch dropped me off at my destination: Valverde Glamping, across the canal from the little village of Tortuguero.
My cabin in Valverde is more than adequate
After my mandatory siesta, I took a water taxi across the canal to the tiny village of Tortuguero.
Then, I took at water taxi back across the canal to Valverde.
So tomorrow at 6 am I take a wildlife tour by boat in Tortuguero National Park. Costa Rica's national parks are exemplary and I had to create an internet account and buy a day pass. I made sure there was coffee available before 6 am and I am satisfied. I hope for some interesting journeys tomorrow.
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