Shannon: I really enjoyed the boat ride out to Tortuga Feliz. It was really pretty and scenic. I stuck my hand in the boat's wake which was super cool. Senora Thomas taught us the dangers of crocodiles and alligators and went into a lot of detail on how they kill you (mainly to stress the point to Tyler (but much to his disappointment we didn't see one)) which scared me; like I didn't need to know that. But the ride out and back was really fun with the wind in my hair and such. Tortuga Feliz was rustic to say the least but fun once you got used to it and into it so it didn't bother you so much. We did good things there and I'm proud of our work (especially Sarah and I's). Seeing the turtle was an awesome bonus but I didn't need to see it in order to have a good time.
Charles: Baldi hot springs (naturally heated pools of water with slides and such) was a lot of fun. I liked going down the slides superman-style (head first). Also Tortuga Feliz was a good experience except for the lack of electricity and it was too darn hot.
Tyler: I am having a great time. I saw a turtle, and I've made friends with the local dog at Playa Chiquita Lodge. At Tortuga Feliz I was not able to wrestle with the crocodiles.
Alanna: This morning we left La Tortuga Feliz and went through the canals via boat to make our way back to the road. Then Ronnie took us to the Chiquita banana plantation, and the group go to see the process of how the selection and packaging of bananas. Then we made our way to Playa Chiquita and had some beach time. The beach was pretty and private.The seaweed in the water freaked me out when it hit me.
Nikki: The second day in La Fortuna was my favorite. We started out the day by walking through the Arenal Parque Nacional. although it was raining it was really nice to step out of the rain forest and climb onto mountains of volcanic rock. Later Marc showed us a hidden swimming hole where we could jump off of rocks and rope swings into the water. It was really cool because I never thought I would do anything like that.
Rachel: This trip has been amazing!! At la Tortuga Feliz, we went on nightly patrols ( 4 hours and a distance of a 10k) to look for turtles that are coming on the beach to lay eggs. The first night we were there, the group consisting of Shay, Charles, Tyler, Senora Thomas, Joel and myself saw a turtle! It was an amazing experience! We saw the pattern of the turtle and we saw the hole she made to lay her eggs, (and we even got to touch her!). The scientists took the measurements of the length and width of the mother and collected her eggs so they could be relocated in a safe location to protect them from poachers. We learned all about the tradition of eating turtle eggs and turtles in Costa Rica and how that is an easy way for families to make money and have a food source. Poaching turtles and their eggs is illegal, however, it isn't enforced well. So the people at Tortuga Feliz relocate the eggs and protect them from poachers to help the turtle population to survive. We did several projects while we were there besides the turtle patrols at night. We helped prepare the hatchery, where the turtle eggs would mature. We also did a beach clean up along one of the patrol routes. The volunteers there were very diverse. We had many countries and states represented. We met people from Sweden, Israel, Holland, Germany, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Spain. It was amazing to work along side such amazing people and to actively make a difference in the world.
Shay: Well it seems like everyone has been talking about everything! It has been a blast being in Costa Rica and I will be sad when it ends. I have the worst sun burn out of everyone here and I cannot wait until tomorrow when we are able to relax again. So many people helped us in la Tortuga Feliz and it seems like everyone is having a blast. Until next time! PURA VIDA!!!!
Charles: Baldi hot springs (naturally heated pools of water with slides and such) was a lot of fun. I liked going down the slides superman-style (head first). Also Tortuga Feliz was a good experience except for the lack of electricity and it was too darn hot.
Tyler: I am having a great time. I saw a turtle, and I've made friends with the local dog at Playa Chiquita Lodge. At Tortuga Feliz I was not able to wrestle with the crocodiles.
Alanna: This morning we left La Tortuga Feliz and went through the canals via boat to make our way back to the road. Then Ronnie took us to the Chiquita banana plantation, and the group go to see the process of how the selection and packaging of bananas. Then we made our way to Playa Chiquita and had some beach time. The beach was pretty and private.The seaweed in the water freaked me out when it hit me.
Nikki: The second day in La Fortuna was my favorite. We started out the day by walking through the Arenal Parque Nacional. although it was raining it was really nice to step out of the rain forest and climb onto mountains of volcanic rock. Later Marc showed us a hidden swimming hole where we could jump off of rocks and rope swings into the water. It was really cool because I never thought I would do anything like that.
Rachel: This trip has been amazing!! At la Tortuga Feliz, we went on nightly patrols ( 4 hours and a distance of a 10k) to look for turtles that are coming on the beach to lay eggs. The first night we were there, the group consisting of Shay, Charles, Tyler, Senora Thomas, Joel and myself saw a turtle! It was an amazing experience! We saw the pattern of the turtle and we saw the hole she made to lay her eggs, (and we even got to touch her!). The scientists took the measurements of the length and width of the mother and collected her eggs so they could be relocated in a safe location to protect them from poachers. We learned all about the tradition of eating turtle eggs and turtles in Costa Rica and how that is an easy way for families to make money and have a food source. Poaching turtles and their eggs is illegal, however, it isn't enforced well. So the people at Tortuga Feliz relocate the eggs and protect them from poachers to help the turtle population to survive. We did several projects while we were there besides the turtle patrols at night. We helped prepare the hatchery, where the turtle eggs would mature. We also did a beach clean up along one of the patrol routes. The volunteers there were very diverse. We had many countries and states represented. We met people from Sweden, Israel, Holland, Germany, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Spain. It was amazing to work along side such amazing people and to actively make a difference in the world.
Shay: Well it seems like everyone has been talking about everything! It has been a blast being in Costa Rica and I will be sad when it ends. I have the worst sun burn out of everyone here and I cannot wait until tomorrow when we are able to relax again. So many people helped us in la Tortuga Feliz and it seems like everyone is having a blast. Until next time! PURA VIDA!!!!
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