Costa Rica

After the Canal, the Volendam visited Costa Rica. Sadly, they had been experiencing severe rain for many days and the flood conditions made it difficult to do shore excursions. Still ... we managed.

The flood conditions were so bad that the excursion boats couldn't use the pier. This tour -- the Tortuguero Canal -- was lovely, even with the floods. Plant and animal life was lovely, even despite the high water levels. Notice the flood conditions ... See the critter in the middle? See him in the middle? Here's a close up from the side. Costa Rica bats!!!! The barge was ok ... the chairs were very uncomfortable for a 2 hour tour. The flood conditions resulted in the passage under the rail road being blocked.d It took a lot of work for the driver to get us through People live along the Tortuguero Canals. Many of their houses are flooded. This "hotel" is now for sale. This one is closed. Boats beached to save them The Tortuguero Canal operations center ... half-flooded. A water taxi! Some very large and wealthy houses can be seen along the Tortuguero Canals. After the Tortuguero Canals we visited a Banana Plantation. The packaging center Ah, this is where the blue plastic bags come from!