End of a year

 

December 31^st, 2022 

The end of a year. What a way to finish out this year. As we sailed into the Gulf of Nicoya this morning, we had a beautiful sunrise. 

We elected an optional excursion for today. We will be going to the Natuwa Animal Sanctuary and rehabilitation center in the afternoon. So, we had a quiet morning. 

The tour began about 1:30 with a bus ride of a little over an hour. Once at the sanctuary, we met the co-founder and then continued on a walking tour of the exhibits. This is a rehabilitation center. I use the term “animal” as an all-inclusive term for the many different types of critters we saw. Any animal taken in is evaluated with the intent of releasing them back into the wild. Many cannot be released and are housed for educational purposes. 

Some of the photos will show animals in cages. These are large enclosures that give the animals as much space as possible. There are two jaguars in residence. As their needs require, the enclosures will be enlarged to provide them with more space. Example: There are two large aviaries for 2 different species of macaws. They are shaped like a very large “O”s so the birds can fly unimpeded around and around. There are other smaller aviaries for other species. 

We also saw macaws and monkeys that had been released but have chosen to hang around. We saw numerous two-toed sloth. They are in an enclosure, but their movements are not restricted. The sloth enclosures protect these animals from humans. We were there mid-afternoon and feeding time was to be shortly after we left, so the animals were fairly active. If we had been there in the morning, things would probably have been much quieter. 

One of the better tours we have been on, and not just this trip. Great guide, seeing the number of animals, variety of information, value for the dollar. 

After returning to the ship, we pretty much headed straight to dinner, then joined friends in the Explorer’s Lounge for an after-dinner toddy. Viking is putting on a party tonight to celebrate the New Year. There will be Dancing Under The Stars on the Pool Deck starting at 9:30. We’ll be asleep by then. 

Happy New Year everyone!

Several Two-toed sloth. They sack out in the crook between branch and trunk,

Two-toed Sloth

Another one hanging on tight. They blend in with the trees and are very hard to spot. And since they rarely move, you have to look very closely.

A beautiful Macaw up in the trees. Posing for us in a bit of sun. This is one that has been rehabilitated and released. But chooses to stay

A couple of howler monkeys. The second photo is quite grainy as I had to play with the lighting to see the face. The troupe kept track of us and were constantly chattering at us and also expressed their feelings by trying to piss on us.

Bananas

A spyder monkey (above) and another species I can't remember the name of. The second one was very small. The body was only about 9" long.

Parrots that had amazing coloring. Just about every color in the rainbow is represented in their feathers.

A macaw. The odd pile of dark material on the branch is a termite nest. You see these EVERYWHERE.

Brazilian Blue and Gold Macaws.

The largest of the Macaws. These are not native to Costa Rica. The beak looks dangerous.

A large rodent. The Agouti.

There were several Toucans.