Day 57 April 30th - Banana Splits

We had a free afternoon so we decided to finally go get a banana split from one of the cafes in the village. We had hear how amazing they were from Angela and they certainly did not disappoint!!!

Day 56 April 29th - New Eco-Volunteers

Today we got a new group of 17 eco-volunteers from Florida. Fer and I trained them before their first patrol tonight.

Day 55 April 28th - Canopy

We went on a canopy tour (zip lining) this morning. It was great fun, not the best time to remember I'm scared of heights though!

Day 54 April 27th - Cariari

Seeing as there is no bank or post facilities in Tortuguero Maddie and I went on an exciting cash and mail expedition to Cariari today. We made a day of it seeing as it was a boat and bus ride away. We had the strangest chinese I have ever had for lunch and we did a bit of shopping too! We were very tempted to get these jaguar pants, we thought they might confuse the jaguar on night patrol!!!

Day 53 April 26th - These Boots Were Made for Walking

I think I'm starting to get quite fit from all the walking we seem to be doing. This morning I had track survey (the short one mind, only 6 miles) and tonight night patrol. Last week I decided to count how many miles I walked on shifts and it came to a grand total of 63 miles!

Day 52 25th April - Presentación en Español

Today we went to Colorado (another village about an hour down the river) and gave a presentation to the older kids at the local high school all about leatherbacks and the work we do. We had a section each, mine was the first bit about turtle morphology. Only snag was they only speak spanish!! So you guessed it I gave my first spanish presentation!! Afterwards we went to a Lagoon that is meant to be good for spotting manatees, we searched for ages but unfortunately didn't see any.

Day 51 April 24th - Jaguar

(This photo was taken by one of the GVI volunteers at Jalova on a morning patrol) I haven't seen a turtle in a while and I am starting to forget what they look like! Mind you night patrols are far from boring!! Tonight we heard a monkey getting killed by a jaguar  and not long after that we could smell the jaguar. On our way back we discovered he had been following us, his paw prints even followed Raul as he went to check the mile markers!

Day 50 April 23rd - Bikes

One of the eco volunteers who stayed a week with use was generous enough to buy us two brand new bikes to help make shifts like nest checking that much easier! Thank you so much Jessica!!!

Day 49 April 22nd - Earth Day

I started the day in the nicest way possible, a lovely canoe trip through the jungle. We set off at 5:30 this morning (A nice early start after night patrol last night!) and spend a peaceful three hours paddling through the canals and spotting wildlife. I can't think of any better way to start a sunday (and Earth Day)!  

Day 48 April 21st - Group Photo

Now that we finally have our STC shirts we had to get a group shot looking official! As well as our very serious group shot we decided to take the obligatory jumping shot. Turns out its not easy to get 8 people to all jump at the same time!

Day 47 April 20th - Jungle Adventures

Angela and I had a really funny afternoon exploring one of the "jungle" paths this afternoon. It was a labyrinth but we took some really funny photos. Afterwards we went in to the village for a milkshake and pizza with some of the others. It was a fun afternoon!

Day 46 April 19th - Filming

After a very rocky start to our movie project with the High School kids today was our first day of filming. Our group got lots of scenes done and had a fun time. Can't wait to see the end result.

Day 45 April 18th - Beach Murals

On the 22nd it's Earth Day and today we have activities planed with the local school kids to make them aware of Earth Day and the importance of looking after the environment. We have groups in both the morning and the afternoon that we are taking down to the beach. We are going to  make murals out of both natural products and garbage to show them what should be on the beach and what shouldn't. 

Day 44 April 17th - Caribbean Night

Elias and I had the 12 mile track survey this morning and wow was it busy!! Turns out the turtles  are crazy!! We had so many new tracks and nests after last nights storm. Those of us with the night off are going to the caribbean themed night at the Taverna tonight.

Day 43 April 16th - Thunder!!

We have been having such amazingly beautiful weather the last few weeks. Its been so hot and sunny, but tonight we got hit by a huge rain and thunderstorm! So glad I have the night off!

Day 42 April 15th - Hawksbill

Today we had our first nesting hawksbill!!! She was even considerate enough to nest in the morning so we could take pictures!! What a sweetie!

Day 41 April 14th - Death

On track survey today we seemed to see a lot of dead animals!! We saw hundreds of really small dead fish washed up by the river mouth. This poor turtle had been attacked by a jaguar near mile marker 16. We seem to have had at least one dead leatherback a week due to jaguars.  

Day 40 April 13th - Mariposario

One of the nearby lodges has butterfly houses, so Claire and I went to visit them this afternoon. There were so many pretty butterflies!! One of the houses was just full of Blue Morphos!

Day 39 April 12th - Asistente De Investigación

We finally got our t-shirts today after waiting a month and a half!!! 

Day 38 April 11th - Es Culpa De Victor

This is what happens when Victor stands on peoples feet!!! Poor Claire had an incident tonight involving too much tequila, her toe and Victor's boot.  Unfortunately for her she lost her nail!!

Day 37 April 10th - Environmental Education

We had our first day working with the school kids today. We are making a short PSA film to help make the kids aware of environmental problems. Our group are focusing on pollution and the kids have come up with some awesome ideas so far. 

Day 36 April 9th - Game of Thrones

We may be in the middle of nowhere but we are still able to keep up with Game of Thrones!!! Angela, Fer and I had the night off so we watched the first two episodes of the new season.

Day 35 April 8th - Budda Bar

Claire, Maddie and Victor have the night off and they convinced some of us to go to Budda Bar to have milkshakes while they have cocktails! We got to sit on the top balcony (no-one ever gets to go up there) I think its a sign we go there too often!! Fer and I got another turtle on patrol together, I think we are a pretty lucky team!! 

Day 34 April 7th - Un Dia Perfecto

We had the most amazing day ever today!!! We hired boats and paddled down river to a lagoon where we could go swimming. Our boat was the fun boat! We were singing and joking the whole way there. We tried to take a self-timer photo but the pinkness strikes again!!! The lagoon was beautiful and it was so nice to go swimming. Fer and I had night patrol as well, we were so tired but it was worth it! It turns out we have a new golden mile!!! 3 Leatherbacks all before 12!! Almost a new record!

Day 33 April 6th - Farewell

Its the last night tonight for our first eco-volunteer of the season. He was with us for 3 weeks so we decided to go out for pizza to say goodbye. Some of the RAs enjoyed yummy cocktails too, but none for me. I have patrol tonight! 

Day 32 April 5th - Feliz Cumpleaños

Today is Elias's Birthday!! We got him a new alarm clock cos his old one broke! We had track surveys this morning as well. Two groups survey the entire 18 miles every three days and today Victor and I did the station to mile 18 stretch (12 and 3/8 miles), which means leaving the station at 5am! Also today is our last day with the eco-volunteers, they leave early tomorrow to head back to the States

Day 31 April 4th - Relaxation

I have a nice relaxing day today. No Shifts!! We get down time in the middle of the day most days, so we can catch up on sleep, relax or take walks in the village. So far I'm up to book number 9. I love my Kindle!!

Day 30 April 3rd - Thunderstorm!!!

Me encanta chequer nidos con lluvia y truenos. Especialmente cuando e truenos estan cerrar. We had our first proper thunder storm today and unfortunately for me it was while Raul and I were out checking the nests!!! The thunder was almost over top of us at the mile 5 marker!! We got soaked!! And my camera didn't seem to like it either (even though it was safely inside my room) its making everything pink again!! It may be time for another detox!

Day 29 April 2nd - Scrabble

Maddie has a travel Scrabble with her and she has finally convinced me to play a game or two. It may well be my last she keeps winning by miles. I have resorted to cheating and my score is still rubbish!!!

Day 28 April 1st - Visitors Centre

I’m helping out in the visitors centre today for a few hours. We take turns at helping out for a few hours once a week. There were quite a few tour groups today so the time flew by as I was busy explaining about what we do and answering questions. 

Day 27 March 31st - Eco-Volunteers

We got our first school group of eco volunteers today and they are here for a week. There are 12 students and 2 teachers and they are from San Francisco. It feels strange having so many people at the station. I have gotten so used to our small group!