Life is Good in Costa Rica!
Things are good in Costa Rica with a very stable democracy and a wonderful and progressive new president and we are the first country in the Americas to elect a black woman as Vice President!
Ths and other things are discussed in my San Ramon retiree friends’ newsletter and in this edition they reprint their list of reasons for retiring in Costa Rica. I think you might enjoy it at link below.
Retire for Less in Costa Rica NEWSLETTER Current Edition:
http://retireforlessincostarica.com/retire-for-less-in-costa-rica-may-12-2018/
Ths and other things are discussed in my San Ramon retiree friends’ newsletter and in this edition they reprint their list of reasons for retiring in Costa Rica. I think you might enjoy it at link below.
Retire for Less in Costa Rica NEWSLETTER Current Edition:
http://retireforlessincostarica.com/retire-for-less-in-costa-rica-may-12-2018/
I basically finished my photo book on Arenal Observatory Trip today, but need to double check it and then wait for Blurb to announce a sale. In the meantime check out my TRIPS GALLERY on this trip to Arenal Observatory Lodge.
And I now look forward to my June visit to Boca del Toro, Panama on an island in the Western Caribbean, my first trip of 7 days since moving here. More time means not only seeing and doing more but more relaxation!
¡Pura Vida!
My Room at Arenal Observatory
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| This view from my room is the most memorable part of the lodge room. See More Volcano Shots Arenal Observatory Lodge, Arenal Volcano National Park, Costa Rica |
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| I had to be laying down on the bed to have the view inside, but outside is “in your face” Arenal Observatory Lodge, Arenal Volcano National Park, Costa Rica |
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| My one selfie was with the volcano, here on the dining room deck Arenal Observatory Lodge, Arenal Volcano National Park, Costa Rica |
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| The two side windows looked out on the Restaurant Deck and the lake Arenal Observatory Lodge, Arenal Volcano National Park, Costa Rica |
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| This side view was also beautiful and where I caught the sunsets. (link to sunset photos) Arenal Observatory Lodge, Arenal Volcano National Park, Costa Rica |
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| Also where other hotel guests assembled before meals & for volcano & lake photos + bird feeders Arenal Observatory Lodge, Arenal Volcano National Park, Costa Rica |
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| At about 5 pm each day one or two of the La Fortuna Expedition buses brought a crowd of mainly young adult backpackers for volcano, lake & sunset photos before their group dinner here and then return to their less expensive lodging after a day of whitewater, rappelling, zip lining, etc. Arenal Observatory Lodge, Arenal Volcano National Park, Costa Rica |
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| The first two days the maids left towel animals on my bed Arenal Observatory Lodge, Arenal Volcano National Park, Costa Rica |
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| See My Room Gallery for more photos of the room. Arenal Observatory Lodge, Arenal Volcano National Park, Costa Rica |
AND the bird feeders were also next to my room’s deck!
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| Great Curassow male at fruit feeder by my room deck Arenal Observatory Lodge, Arenal Volcano National Park, Costa Rica |
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| Great Curassow female at fruit feeder by my room deck Arenal Observatory Lodge, Arenal Volcano National Park, Costa Rica |
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| Montezuma Oropendola at fruit feeder by my room deck Arenal Observatory Lodge, Arenal Volcano National Park, Costa Rica |
COSTA RICA NEWS:
Women elected to 5 of 6 leadership roles in Costa Rica’s new legislature
An online article in Tico Times.
Arenal Tropical Flowers & Plants
This is just a small sampling of many more photos in Arenal Observatory trip gallery:
Flowers & Tropical Plants. Arenal Observatory Lodge grounds are a Botanical Gardens!
Flowers & Tropical Plants. Arenal Observatory Lodge grounds are a Botanical Gardens!
-o-
And if you like tropical plants but live “up north,” check out how you can go tropical in your house, year-around, 16 Tropical Plants to Grow Indoors. A reader wrote and suggested this.
Top 10 Most Welcoming Countries for Expats
An online article by Expat Organization InterNations
They put Costa Rica at #6.
Eye Level with Monkeys!
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| Mantled Howler Monkey Arenal Observatory Lodge, Arenal Volcano National Park, Costa Rica |
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| Mantled Howler Monkey Arenal Observatory Lodge, Arenal Volcano National Park, Costa Rica |
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| Mantled Howler Monkey Arenal Observatory Lodge, Arenal Volcano National Park, Costa Rica |
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| Mantled Howler Monkey Arenal Observatory Lodge, Arenal Volcano National Park, Costa Rica |
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| Mantled Howler Monkey Arenal Observatory Lodge, Arenal Volcano National Park, Costa Rica |
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| Mantled Howler Monkey Arenal Observatory Lodge, Arenal Volcano National Park, Costa Rica |
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| Mantled Howler Monkey Arenal Observatory Lodge, Arenal Volcano National Park, Costa Rica |
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| Mantled Howler Monkey Arenal Observatory Lodge, Arenal Volcano National Park, Costa Rica |
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| Mantled Howler Monkey Arenal Observatory Lodge, Arenal Volcano National Park, Costa Rica |
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| Central American Spider Monkey Arenal Observatory Lodge, Arenal Volcano National Park, Costa Rica |
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| Central American Spider Monkey Arenal Observatory Lodge, Arenal Volcano National Park, Costa Ri |
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| “The Nest” Observation Tower From which all these monkey shots were made. Arenal Observatory Lodge, Arenal Volcano National Park, Costa Ri |
To learn more about Mantled Howler Monkeys with videos at Arkive.org
To learn more about Spider Monkeys at Wikipedia
To learn more about Arenal Observatory Lodge Costa Rica at their website
I highly recommend this lodge for whatever your experience with nature will be!
Great location! Great facilities! Great services! Great experiences & vistas!
To learn more about Arenal Observatory Lodge Costa Rica at their website
I highly recommend this lodge for whatever your experience with nature will be!
Great location! Great facilities! Great services! Great experiences & vistas!
I am posting this Friday morning before I leave Arenal for my wonderful home in Atenas. It is always good to get back home after a trip, but it seems like every trip is getting better and I continue my “yearn to travel Costa Rica!” And this place is a new favorite to which I plan to return. This year’s trip-a-month includes about 4 repeats and the rest new places. See the map of this year’s trips or another map of places visited before this year.
There you can see all the birds together, etc. plus photos not on the blog.
And for more about Costa Rica, see this Tico Times article What to do in Costa Rica in May and June from many concerts and festivals to a chocolate tasting!
Last Day in this Paradise – Arenal Observatory
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| A sign in the lodge property that is my motto for travels all over Costa Rica. Arenal Observatory Lodge, Arenal Volcano National Park, Costa Rica |
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| Variable Seedeater male Arenal Observatory Lodge, Arenal Volcano National Park, Costa Rica |
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| Rufous-tailed Hummingbird Arenal Observatory Lodge, Arenal Volcano National Park, Costa Rica |
I tried again this morning and will again this afternoon and tomorrow morning, but have not found
my two target bird, Bare-necked Umbrella Bird and Yellow-eared Toucanet which I have a lousy dark photo of from Tenorio National Park, but I really want a good photo of one! Both birds are supposed to be here but you can never guarantee a find! As of Tuesday afternoon I do have photos of 27 different species of birds and 5 of those are new photo-finds for me! So not bad! They are:
2. House Wren
4. Gray-capped Flycatcher (with a fly in his mouth)
5. Piratic Flycatcher
Links are to my photo of that bird on this trip.
And the big treat for today was monkeys! I went back to “The Nest” or observation tower at 4:00 PM and it was surrounded by both Howler Monkeys and a few Spider Monkeys, but I have 300 photos to go through and pick just a few for you in tomorrow’s post. So Expect monkeys tomorrow! 🙂
And now for tonight’s last sunset at Arenal for me:
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| Sunset over Lake Arenal at Arenal Observatory Lodge, Arenal Volcano National Park, Costa Rica |
There you can see all the birds together, etc. plus photos not on the blog.
Tomorrow morning at 11 AM I reluctantly leave Arenal for my return to Atenas.
This is definitely one of my favorite getaway places, but then I have so many!
A Towering Experience Today!
The following 4 birds were photographed in treetops at eye level from “The Nest”
or the 92 ft tall metal tower on the lodge property. Amazing treetop experience!
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| Yellow-throated Toucan Arenal Observatory Lodge, Arenal National Park, Costa Rica |
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| Collared Aracari (A type of Toucan) Arenal Observatory Lodge, Arenal National Park, Costa Rica |
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| Keel-billed Toucan Arenal Observatory Lodge, Arenal National Park, Costa Rica |
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| Red Lored Parrot Arenal Observatory Lodge, Arenal National Park, Costa Rica |
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| “The Nest” or Birding Tower 92 ft tall — A Little Scary! Arenal Observatory Lodge, Arenal National Park, Costa Rica |
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| Freddy is there 8 hours a day with locked gate to the tower. 8 max people at a time including one staff member. Lots of warnings in English & Spanish. Arenal Observatory Lodge, Arenal National Park, Costa Rica |
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| Top of the English Warning Sign With long list of conditions below from pregnancy to vertigo! There are 146 steps going up and down and the tower does sway with wind & people movement. Today was my 2nd time up. Yesterday morning my birding guide took me up and we saw 0 birds! Nada! This afternoon Freddy used recordings of toucan sounds to attract them to the surrounding treetops! Arenal Observatory Lodge, Arenal National Park, Costa Rica |
There you can see all the birds together, etc. plus photos not on the blog.
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Sunset Behind the Clouds Tonight
Arenal Observatory Lodge, Arenal National Park, Costa Rica
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And Scary Clouds at that! But No Rain!
Arenal Observatory Lodge, Arenal National Park, Costa Rica
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Sample Photos from Today’s Adventure
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| Red-eyed Tree Frog And yes, this one is orange and I can’t explain why. Usually bright red! Arenal Observatory Lodge, Arenal National Park, Costa Rica |
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| Semiplumbeous Hawk Arenal Observatory Lodge, Arenal National Park, Costa Rica |
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| Gray-capped Flycatcher with insect in his mouth! Arenal Observatory Lodge, Arenal National Park, Costa Rica |
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| House Wren Singing Arenal Observatory Lodge, Arenal National Park, Costa Rica |
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| Buff-rumped Warbler Arenal Observatory Lodge, Arenal National Park, Costa Rica |
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| Variable Seedeater Arenal Observatory Lodge, Arenal National Park, Costa Rica |
I took so many photos of so many birds and other animals that the above is just a sample from my guided bird walk this morning before breakfast. For more, see Trip Gallery Arenal Observatory
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| The Broader “Pre-Sunset”Look behind the Restaurant Deck (shot from my room) Arenal Observatory Lodge, Arenal National Park, Costa Rica |
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| And the other extreme, zooming in on the sun behind the clouds tonight. Arenal Observatory Lodge, Arenal National Park, Costa Rica |
There you can see all the birds together, etc. plus photos not on the blog.
Waterfall & Bird Count Day
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| Danta Waterfall Arenal Observatory Lodge, Arenal Volcano, Costa Rica |
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| Crested Guan Arenal Observatory Lodge, Arenal Volcano, Costa Rica |
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| Great Curassow Arenal Observatory Lodge, Arenal Volcano, Costa Rica |
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| Montezuma Oropendola Arenal Observatory Lodge, Arenal Volcano, Costa Rica |
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| Green Honeycreeper female Arenal Observatory Lodge, Arenal Volcano, Costa Rica |
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| Mantled Howler Monkey Arenal Observatory Lodge, Arenal Volcano, Costa Rica |
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| Emerald Basilisk Arenal Observatory Lodge, Arenal Volcano, Costa Rica |
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| One of the Lillies Arenal Observatory Lodge, Arenal Volcano, Costa Rica |
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| Hibiscus Arenal Observatory Lodge, Arenal Volcano, Costa Rica |
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| Tonight’s Sunset Over Lake Arenal Arenal Observatory Lodge, Arenal Volcano, Costa Rica |
And today was eBird’s “Global Big Day” of bird counting. Here is a link to my eBird List of 11 species seen here at Arenal Observatory Lodge. All of the birding guides here were out counting today which is why I could not have a guided bird hike today. I have one tomorrow.
¡Pura Vida!
And My Photo Gallery for this Trip is being added to daily while on the trip! A longer more leisurely trip makes this possible and my galleries are my main trip reports. Enjoy!
First Half Day Hallelujah!
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| Yellow-throated Toucan Eating a Lizard Arenal Observatory Lodge, Costa Rica |
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| Male & Female Great Curassow Arenal Observatory Lodge, Costa Rica |
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| Lineated Woodpecker Arenal Observatory Lodge, Costa Rica |
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| Rufous-tailed Hummingbird Arenal Observatory Lodge, Costa Rica |
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| Montezuma Oropendola Arenal Observatory Lodge, Costa Rica |
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| Red-legged Honeycreeper, female & male Arenal Observatory Lodge, Costa Rica |
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| Palm Tanager Arenal Observatory Lodge, Costa Rica |
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| Blue-gray Tanager Arenal Observatory Lodge, Costa Rica |
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| White-nosed Coati Arenal Observatory Lodge, Costa Rica |
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| Arenal Observatory Lodge, Costa Rica |
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| Arenal Observatory Lodge, Costa Rica |
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| Arenal Volcano from my Lodge Room Arenal Observatory Lodge, Costa Rica |
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| Sunset from my Room Deck Arenal Observatory Lodge, Costa Rica |
What can I say? The photos are worth a thousand words and this was just after getting here at noon today and eating lunch first. It is a totally amazing place and instantly one of my favorites! And with another 4 and 1/2 days yet to go!
¡Pura Vida!
And My Photo Gallery for this Trip is being added to daily while on the trip! A longer more leisurely trip makes this possible and my galleries are my main trip reports. Enjoy!