Day 1 Sarapiqui- Selva Verde Lodge

We made it to Costa Rica safe and sound on an almost uneventful flight.  As we were pulling away from the gate and the flight attendant was explaining how to use the life vest a hand in the back of the plain was raised. Turns out there was some poor guy on the wrong flight.  He thought he bought a ticket for San Jose, CA and was shocked to find out he was on his way to San Jose, Costa Rica.  We had to go back to the gate so he could get off.  After that everything was smooth.  Upon arrival in Costa Rica we went through immigration and customs and then waited for our wonderful group of 31 to arrive from Houston, TX.  One by one they came out and it was so nice to meet them.  Scott and I were pleasantly reminded yet again that the Gator Nation is everywhere as one of the students exited with her orange and blue Tim Tebow Gator shirt.  You just can’t get away from the orange and blue, even in Costa Rica.  Our next step was to board our nice comfortable bus.  We are definitely traveling in comfort in our large Mercedes bus complete with reclining seats and a bathroom. Our guide Javier introduced himself and our driver, Pablo, and then we were off to Selva Verde Lodge in SarapiquÍ.

For many in the group this was their first visit to Costa Rica, but at least 8 participants were repeat visitors who love Costa Rica so much they are always happy to return and travel with these great teachers.  We are a varied group of teachers, students, parents, and even grandparents.  The youngest is 13 and the oldest is 84.  The one common thread we all share is our excitement and anticipation for exploring and learning about Costa Rica and its amazing diversity.  Our leaders are dedicated science teachers with a love for birds, photography, amphibians, reptiles and all that goes along with them.  I’m sure by the end of the trip I will know more about frogs and snakes then I could ever imagine.

Upon arrival at Selva Verde we all got settled into our rooms and then enjoyed a wonderful Costa Rican meal.  After dinner one of our group leaders, John Earl, an amphibian and reptile lover, took us on a night hike in search of nocturnal species.  We didn’t have to go far for our first amazing sighting, Selva Verde’s resident Red Eyed Tree Frogs. There are at least seven of them that have made the pond outside the dining room their home. They could care less that we were there. Pictures do not do them justice as their eyes and colors are truly amazing.  Believe me I know, I took lots of pictures of them.  We were also lucky to see their eggs on the underside of a leaf. As we continued to explore we saw an armadillo, caiman (in the creek), Basilisk Lizards, iguanas and several different species of insects. Did I mention the Red Eyed Tree Frogs? After hours of frog and snake hunting we all decided it was time to turn in and prepare for our early rise the next morning.