The Big Rains are finally here in Guanacaste!

So far in Guanacaste the rainy or green season has been dry and causing concerns for the up coming dry season.  Well this week the concerns have been alleviated as Tropical Storm Sandy has been hitting us for the past week giving us considerable amounts of moisture.  As I write this blog this morning the rains have been constant over night and now well into the morning.  Some minor flooding but no issues.  I am sure in the mountains the rains are just as heavy if not more so.  We need the rains in the mountains to replenish Lake Arenal water levels as this water provides electrical power for much of the country.  Plus the City of Liberia depends on the mountains for their supply of fresh water.  An elaborate system of canals gathers the waters of Rincon de La Vieja and delivers them to Liberia via gravity feed.  This system provides 70% of Liberia's fresh water so come on rain! Rainy days in Costa Rica sure beat the snowy days in Canada.  At least here we do not shovel rain:-)  Pura Vida 

Hike to the top of Rincon de La Vieja Volcano

 Here is an adventure you will not soon forget!  Hiking to the top of Rincon de La Vieja Volcano in the middle of the Rincon de La Vieja National Park is a challenge for the hardiest hiker.  The best time to under take this trek is during April and May when the skies tend to be more clear and you can see the Pacific to the West and Lake Nicaragua to the North.  The hike starts at the Rincon de La Vieja Ranger Station just north of Hacienda Guachipelen.  It is about a 1 1/2 hour drive from the beaches.  The hike is not easy and will take 8 hours or more.  This is not a hike for the unfit!  Be sure health wise you can handle the extensive up hill hiking and in some places you will need to do a little difficult climbing.  The hike starts off in a gentle climb through beautiful rain forest trees and vegetation.  After 4 or 5 kilometers it changes into wind swept volcanic rocks and vegetation.  Near the top as you can see in the pictures it is barren rocks like the Rocky Mountains we are familiar with back in Alberta.   Remember this is the mountains and bring necessary clothing as the weather can change quickly and you could see rain even in the dry season coupled with the altitude and winds, it can get chilly.    The hike signs say it is 10 kilometers to the top from the Ranger Station but in my opinion this distance is a typical Tico guestimate and the distance is considerably further.  We left at 8:00 AM and returned by 5:00 PM - very tired after a long day filled with adventure.  We had our good friend Danny as a guide and would highly recommend you take a guide with you.  They are available at the Ranger Station start most days.  We highly recommend this Costa Rican Adventure - Pura Vida! 

 

 

More Scarlet Macaws in the wild!

Nicoya peninsula now has 60 more free scarlet macaws

The Nicoya peninsula now has 60 more scarlet macaws in the wilds. The birds were released at the Los Delfines golf course at Playa Tambor near Paquera on the east shore of the peninsula.

The birds were raised by the Asociación Pro Conservación de la Lapa Roja. The scarlet macaw (Ara macao) is a threatened bird, but it also is one of the signature birds of Costa Rica. In fact, Los Delfines even has such a bird on the front page of its Web site.

The Ministerio de Ambiente y Energía said that several
government officials were present at the release, including José Lino Chaves of the ministry.

The birds were raised from chicks locally. The largest population of scarlet macaws, of course, is in the undeveloped Osa peninsula.

The association has been working to protect the birds for at least 15 years. This is not the first time that a group was released in the same area. The association also works to reforest areas.

The birds live in holes in trees, so the group also constructed bird-friendly houses that are hoisted up to a safe height.