Tortuga Island …. Beautiful Costa Rica

  We awoke in our tree house to the chirping of exotic birds and the howling of monkeys at play. It was hot and I was sweaty. We stayed up to late and awoke to early but we did it all with smiles that would not fade. You see sometimes comfort is gladly given up for adventure and we are currently on a well deserved adventure. We got ready for the day in swimsuits and cover ups and head down the approximately one million stairs to the kitchen. Vidgis the resort owner made us a delicious breakfast. One hundred times better than any hotel breakfast bar. Then down to the beach we go to await our chariot or in this case, big white boat. The boat arrives and we all climb aboard, Me, Britt and 4 German boys on spring break. I had no idea what they were saying but they were sure having fun. The captain explained the plan for the day and then began explaining our first stop. We were going to monkey island. He told us how many years ago the monkey population on the mainland became out of control so several monkey families were moved to the small islands. There was only one problem, monkeys procreate. The family of monkeys on this island was way to big for the food the island provided. So everyday rain or shine our Captain brings food to the monkeys and thats what we were doing today. We arrived at the small rocky island with no monkeys in sight. Never fear out captain hopped up on the front of the boat and began doing what could only be described as a howler monkey mating call. They slowly and cautiously came around the bend. A few at first then more. Moving closer and closer to the beach we had docked at. The captain gave us all some fruit and monkey crackers. He had explained that you hold the food in an open palm and away from your body. You let them take the food instead of giving to them. One by one they stepped on the wet sandy beach in front of us. Taking their time and measuring us with their eyes. Then they came closer and closer till the first of the fruit began to disappear from the out stretched  hands. We stayed for awhile feeding the monkeys and watching them play and get into shoving matches over the offered food. Gradually they got used to us being there and our novelty wore off and up and over the rocky out cropping they went. To do what I can only imagine all monkeys do, spend their day having fun. Well we also wanted to have fun so we all got back on the boat and off we went to our next adventure. We glided through the water , hitting swell after swell, while I hung on for dear life our German friends loved it. The boat slowed and we arrived at huge rock, several other boats were anchored there while their passengers swam about in the teal blue water. We all donned out snorkel gear and carefully slid over the side… well I carefully slid over the side. Everyone else did cannonballs. We swam around in the  water with our heads down and pipes up. Following the brightly colored fish and  sea stars around. It took me a little while to get used to breathing through the pipe and kicking my feet all while not banging into rocks but somehow I managed it and had a blast while doing it. The currents got stronger and the work it took to stay on course was a bit more than I had so I made my way back to the boat. Once every one was aboard and had their gear in a pile the captain took off. We landed on Tortuga around 11 am and had the rest of the day to enjoy the beach. This place was amazing, the water was so blue and warm the sun bright with a nice breeze to keep us cool. We spent some time in the water and relaxing then it was time for lunch. Costa Rican food is pretty much the same where ever you go. A meat, rice and beans. With that being said its all about how you cook them and today they were cooked well. With our bellies full and the sun shining bright we relaxed on the that beautiful beach for the rest of the day. About 5:00 we all boarded the boat and took a bumpy ride back to Bahia Rica. As I sit here now on my little bed in the tree house I reflect on all the wonderful things I got to do and see today and I thank my creator that I got to be in place at this time and see all the wonders he has made. Goodnight