Weekend encounters

What an interesting weekend for wildlife! Yesterday evening I went on a night walk when we were taken out around one of the reserves with torches. There were warnings about staying in the middle of the paths and not touching anything. It is strange really as it is easy to forget you are in a different and potentially dangerous place as to all intents and purposes, you could be in an English forest but with more exotic plants!

Our guide was very knowledgeable and into snakes and fungi, both of which are pretty lethal in the majority of instances. (I do hope my tinned mushrooms are ok! Fresh ones are horrendously expensive, perhaps they have to be checked!!!!!!) we saw both; we saw both a baby and an adult pit viper in different places, the latter he escorted us away from as he said it was too active. I am sure he said it was a side striped version but the link 

http://nationalzoo.si.edu/Animals/ReptilesAmphibians/Facts/FactSheets/Eyelashpalmpitviper.cfm

 shows what I thought it looked like. We also saw a tarantula which ran out of its hole, stopped then ran back again. I am sure it must get fed up with this nightly ritual for the tourists

 http://www.anywherecostarica.com/flora-fauna/invertebrates/tarantula

I did not take any of my own photos as nighttime photography never works for me and I didn't want to get that close to anything!

In addition there were beautiful preying mantis carefully camouflaged on a moss covered tree trunk and only about an inch long. There were lots of very big spiders and a kinkajou clambouring through the trees.

Today I walked in the direction of Monteverde, starting out in dry but very humid weather. I investigated one or two sidetracks with signs to waterfalls, reserves and in one instance a cafe.  On entering the Children's Reserve (so called as it was started with money saved by children), a white nosed coati strolled across the path about five yards in front of me!

As I still hadn't found the information centre I decided it was wise to retreat and decided that none of these areas should be visited without a guide. They are all approached by long tracks, clearly designed for vehicular access, and much of the traffic along the gravel road is tourist minibuses.

As my walk was completely uphill I thought a coffee stop might be a good idea, so approached something with a cafe sign, but retreated when a lot of barking ensued. I then found the Fonda Vela hotel from last time and had a coffee there. I had a little chat with the waitresses and they only charged me about 50p for two cups of coffee! By now today's 'showers' had started ( we would call it torrential rain), so I am now considering the rest of the day; possibilities are

Spanish revision

Embroidery,

Read my Spanish novel,

Listen to podcasts,

Watch Costa Rican TV

Go out to eat when/if rain stops

As I said to the gardener ( who incidentally is working despite the weather), it is not the day to sit in the garden and paint!