Day 1 of our new journey consisted of waking up bleary-eyed and jet-lagged at the Marriott in San Jose Costa Rica, after completing the 18 hour journey from London, to Paris, for the transatlantic flight, landing at 5:30PM. After a nights sleep, the Costa Rican breakfast buffet at the hotel was delicious, loaded with fresh pineapple and papaya, banana bread, rice and beans and eggs. Once the nutritious food kicked our systems into gear, along with the (several cups of) coffee, we set off on our 3 hour drive to Manuel Antonio. Since it is the rainy season, our host suggested an start early before the afternoon rain. After the UK driving, it was lovely to be back on the right side of the road, making for a stress-free drive.

Day 2

Day 2, our first full day at our jungle “home” was packed with visitors from all over the jungle. We spotted the sloth first, all balled up and still asleep in the nearby tree. After pulling open the 10 ft glass walls, we saw him slowly wake up and stretch out ever so slowly, seeming to take it in and enjoy every movement.

He then closed his eyes and soaked in the sun.

Noticing us, he smiled our direction, as if to say good morning. Welcome to my rainforest.

With a fresh cup of coffee, we heard the arrival of the toucans. There was two of them, and they spent about a half an hour between several trees in the backyard. When they left, we weren’t sure who was the observer.

The rain started up. A stunning hummingbird visited to say good morning.

The raining continued and was joined by thunder. The capuchins came through, each seeming to take a different tree and route around us. The one I caught a picture of, was moving non-stop. Up and down the trees, fearlessly out to the furthest branches to get to the most delectable fruit.

Meanwhile, to our right, the sloth moved all around the tree he spent the night in.

But then he decided to go down the tree, and we lost sight of our new friend. 😞

After dinner we sat down again and looked out into the rainforest, it was still raining, and thunder, but it was a relaxing nurturing rain, not stormy. Spanning left, we spotted him, curled up again, against the rain, there was the sloth, tucked in for the night.

Day 3

Coffee first, then pull open the 10ft glass doors. Taking our seats, we gazed out and our new friend was still fast asleep. But today he was tucked away on the far side of the tree, where he was difficult to see. But when we did spot him, he was hanging upside down, scratching away.

And smiling…..

A couple of Pale-billed woodpeckers visited for a short time.