Trip to Costa Rica - The Trek

 So all set to trek the rain forests of Corcovado. As I mentioned in my previous post, Corcovado is the most diverse area on earth with vast flora and fauna. The peninsula is breath-taking, my words or pictures would not do even a bit of justice to the beauty of this place. I was repeatedly telling my guide "William, you are lucky to be living here".

Our trail was alternating between the rain forests and the Pacific sea coast. As we walked through the forests, the thick canopy and the wet lands beneath our feet, green and marshy foliage all around, the incessant buzz of the insect Cicada, the entire ground covered with thick roots spread and strangling one another; over neath, up above, hanging everywhere. At a close distance was the constant crash of the waves of the sea. The rain forest and the sea just beside one another was truly out of this world.

I am not a regular hiker, it was difficult to walk through the forests, climb up, wade through the numerous rivers and rivulets, jump across huge trees that have fallen down and are decomposing to be a rich manure, walk through slush and crawl across densely grown trees. Got pierced by thorns on trunks of some trees when I tried to hold them for support. Walking through the sand on the sea coast was tough; walking through sand and snow is very touch. If its hike, forget it!! Got my ankle sprained but had to walk along.

Learnt a lot about the flora and fauna, saw so many animals, birds, insects and plants, understood their importance and their uniqueness. Got to experience nature's abundance and generousness, nature's beauty and strength. At few places, we had to hike on the beach as the trees were all fallen and the forest was inaccessible due to gutsy winds and land slides. Whenever we were thirsty, all we had to do was inform William. He would just walk to one of the numerous coconut tree, use his machete and break tender coconuts and give it to us. To savor the sweet water while our eyes feasted on the magnificent sea and the virgin forests and birds flying and our ears were treated with music of waves crashing; sometimes with the song of the scarlet macaws flying in pairs.

Regular breaks for water and food, walked for 9+ hours the first day to reach the camping spot. Covered 20 kms. It was a physically straining experience; taught how magnificent and powerful nature is and what blunder we have been doing by disturbing nature's balance. The hiking had to be timed; there are periods of low and high tide. The sea is shallow and rocky. Rivers to be crossed during low tide else the water from the sea fills the land mass and the rivers have strong currents. High tides bring bull sharks and hammerhead sharks to the river from the sea; dangerous to cross then. Rivers are homes to salt water crocodiles as well. We were playing and bathing in those rivers and my guide was quiet. Only at the end of the day; did he say about the crocodiles. We were like "Oh God!! I would have been a delicious meal". Low tides means it was possible to walk further by climbing over huge and sharp rocks; high tides would not make that possible. These rocks had to be tread carefully so as to not step on countless molluscs that rested and covered almost every face of those rocks.

William knew when to leave us aloof and when to take care of us. We trusted him. Chatted about our work, where we were from; chatted about him. He was fascinated by our English accent and our command over English. He wished to learn more; he was fascinated to hear that we have come from California. He wanted to visit the States while we wanted to stay back in his place. How queer is the ways of the world :-)

This guide knew the place so very well. We would keep hiking, all of a sudden, he would stop, ask us to keep silent and not move and then show us some animal or a bird. It would be just right in front of us, but we would not see them. He sometimes would stop and show us up above; there would be some creature. If not for him, we would not have seen so many animals and birds. Very surprising it was, when we ask how did you find out, he would simply say "I could smell the presence" or "Its my place. My forest. This is where I was born and I grew up here. I know" So true!

The path we tread...Virgin, secluded, serene and mesmerizing. Even though the hike was brutally strenuous, I it seems had a smile on my face. My eyes were not enough to take in, my mind was not able to comprehend the beauty.

A dead tree trunk bathed by sea water. Death is also beautiful, isn't it? 

Our first stop at the ranger station. Now why do anyone say NO to work here? Overlooking the sea, sit back relaxed and sip Costa Rican coffee...

 One of the numerous varieties of mushrooms.

Welcome to the rain forest. In few years, one of these trees will strangle the other and grow. Survival of the fittest.

Endagered Central-American Squirrel Monkey. Its found only in pacific coast of Costa Rica and north western tip of Panama bordering Costa Rica.

 

Our way...............narrow but definite :-)

Trees are cut to make way. 

Black Hawk.

Striated due to constant crashing of waves.

Molluscs resting all over these rocks. Had to carefully walk on them so as to not to squash them

 Mushrooms again. A separate has to be dedicated for them. They are everywhere, in all shapes, colors and sizes.

Coati. Its a type of Racoon

I dare not hold this for support!!

The water was bluish green - teal color. Due to dull lighting, the color could not be captured.

 Molluscs all around.

Tiny creeks just flow from the forest to the sea.

Breathless :-)
 

White-faced Capuchin. Its very important to rain forest ecology for dispersing seeds and pollen

One of the many times when we enter the sea from rain forest.

Cicada.  The rain forest is buzz with its song always. To hear the song of the cicada - Cicada song

Green honey creeper. I guess thats the one :-S

Grey-headed Chachalaca

Red tailed squirrel

So many such rivulets. I felt very bad to disturb their natural border while crossing them

 One can keep gaping and gaping....In awe.

A sea life. It was rich red and spongy

:-) I dont have any words to put as caption.

Thick vegetation. The rain forests dont depend on anyone for manure. They feed themselves. Trees and leaves fall down, decompose and the manure is food for others alive.

Thats how rich the soil is.

Baird's Tapir. Its native to Central America.  As we neared our camping station, this one just crossed our path. We were told by other campers that we were lucky to have seen them. Some people wait for weeks to see them but they dont get to see. We saw them all 3 days we camped :-)

The camping station. After 20 kms of trek through rain forest and  the sea. Saw lot more animals and birds the next 2 days.

 

More later :-)