After yesterday’s gruelling itinerary, today is a much gentler day. We have nothing to do until our canoe trip into the Tortuguero National Park this afternoon. The morning comprises breakfast, writing up yesterday’s blog and finding a good bar for a cocktail and lunch. El Patio wins for that. The food, service, drinks, ambience and views are spot on.

Initially we feel that the canoe trip is going to be a big fail. Our guide Roy sits at the stern with a paddle. The river is huge and we are moving very slowly. I think by the time we get to the park it will be time to get back. The reality is different. Once we have shown our tickets to the park authorities we paddle upstream and start to take in the slower pace and tranquility. This could not be more different from yesterday’s adrenalin fuelled blast up the river. We notice the small things and can hear leaves fall. Our guide picks up on this and immediately spots a howler monkey above us. It’s a long way away up and fast moving and the canoe wobbles a lot. I capture some shots. Not great but its something.

Howler monkey

We spot some beautiful water birds in a courtship dance. Annoyingly we were too close and my lens was too long so taking a sharp image impossible but they are too pretty not to show you.

We paddled up a narrow channel that only a canoe could navigate. it was a peaceful and totally different world from the sunlit river beyond.

I spent a significant amount of time changing lenses and never seemed to have the correct one on for the task in hand. I must buy a second camera body so I have instant access to either lens. I did capture a few reasonable shots but nothing amazing.

The weather here can change in a blink of an eye. We set out in bright sunshine but suddenly clouds appear and ponchos are donned before a short spell of rain ensues. This coincided with our sighting of a troop of white faced capuchins. I therefore have no photos but have imprinted their antics in my minds eye.

As we set back parrots squawked noisily and I have to admit to an element of relief. Two days sitting on hard boat seats has taken its toll. I should really like a soft chair for a couple of days please… We feel much less tired than yesterday and have the energy to find a bar for a G&T.

Our final dinner in Tortuguero was back at El Patio. It is absolutely the place to go. Everything yet again was spot on.