The rainforest has been exactly what you'd expect. It teems with life. The sounds are surreal. I think there must be more oxygen here, and I know that we are closer than I've ever been to the sun.
The unoffical motto of Costa Rica is "Pura Vida" - Pure Life. The locals ask you if you are enjoying Costa Rica Pura Vida all the time. The other day, while we were watching Monkeys, I finally understood.
It's not meant literally, I don't think. "Pure" is the only way to describe the density of life that completely surroundeds you in the forest. Insects, plants, animals, everything is alive everywhere you look. And everything is vastly different from every other thing. "Pura Vida" is about being overwhelmed by all of the life around you.
The only thing the rainforest was missing, until a few minutes ago, was rain. It hadn't rained since San Jose on day one. We still haven't worn our rain gear.
Another downpour has set in. It's intense rain and it is great to listen to from the hammock on our front porch surrounded by jungle noise.
We went Kayaking through a Mangrove forest today and the list of wildlife we've observed continues to explode. The highlight from today was the family of White Faced Cappucine Monkey's who came right up to the Kayaks, but the White Ibis, the Green Iguana and the mangrove snake (the guide let Amy hold it) were very cool also. The guide promised that they were Crocodile infested waters (the well fed won't bother you kind) but we didn't see any.
Oh well, the hammock is calling.....