4.30 on coffee and to stock up on food and water. The first aid kit got removed to make a space for a bottle of rum (priorities!) . Anyway, after two hours on a cattle bus over knackered roads and through river crossings rivers, we arrived at the national park entrance. A small buffet of coffee and pastries stuffed with cheese or chicken was included in $8 US cost for the bus. Upon completing the 10 minute registration form and disclaimer, off we went for a 19 km adventure in to the total wilderness of Corcovado National Park. Ant eaters, pelicans, pumas and snakes - that is just the beginning of the list of the most remote national park in the Osa Peninsular, Costa Rica. Tidal river crossings might have sharks from one side and crocodiles from the other, not to mention monkeys growling like bears. We arrived at the basic refuge station (Sirena Station) at 4 pm. After a shower (not so basic then Tadek!) walk around, we had dinner - the best one so far in CR, although it was not cheap (in fact nothing is in this country!)
After dinner the Dutch guy got slaughtered on rum while I took only a small gulp from my bottle and did not want any more! (very odd). We spent the evening listening to one of the guides, sitting on the veranda. He explained a lot about growing tourism problems and also animal behaviour and some general knowledge. He also joked about his holidays in Holland when he had to walk the dog and pick up the poo (or be reported for not doing so). He had also lived with a producer of weed for the UK market (well funny). Another druggy aspect of the park is the cocaine smuggling route which goes along the coast of CR. Apparently, Colombians very often dump their goods into the water (which is washed on shore) when chased by the customs. Two weeks ago guide has found 25 kg cocaine on the beach in the national park! If you think you had ever had the problems with mosquitoes, you never been here. The DEET repellent seems to attract the buggers !!!
After dinner the Dutch guy got slaughtered on rum while I took only a small gulp from my bottle and did not want any more! (very odd). We spent the evening listening to one of the guides, sitting on the veranda. He explained a lot about growing tourism problems and also animal behaviour and some general knowledge. He also joked about his holidays in Holland when he had to walk the dog and pick up the poo (or be reported for not doing so). He had also lived with a producer of weed for the UK market (well funny). Another druggy aspect of the park is the cocaine smuggling route which goes along the coast of CR. Apparently, Colombians very often dump their goods into the water (which is washed on shore) when chased by the customs. Two weeks ago guide has found 25 kg cocaine on the beach in the national park! If you think you had ever had the problems with mosquitoes, you never been here. The DEET repellent seems to attract the buggers !!!