A Whole Lotta Sloth

I didn’t mind waking up at 4.30am one bit. It was like listening to Alexa’s rainforest noises with a some intermittent monkeys and birds on max volume. Climbed out of our cosy barrel to nip to the loo and was greeted by monkeys through the trees above. They were jumping around, managed to catch a mum and baby on video. Noticed little blue crabs in their nests too… so many animals and we’re not in any national park yet. It was like being taken back to primal times - they’re the threats the amygdala was designed for, not traffic jams and work deadlines!

We had a yummy basic breckie of scrambled egg and toast at another Soda (diner) - tried Naranjillo juice (a native orange plant which was delicious and tasted like sweet refreshing cinnamon).

Spent an incredible morning at Costa Rica’s National Sloth Sanctuary. They are a national symbol of the country, but being relatively small this is the only rescue/rehab centre. We first took a canoe ride where we spotted a family of howler monkies, distant sloths munching almond leaves, dragon flies, butterflies, crabs with 1 giant pincer, lizards, camels… but the highlight… I herd a shriek from Rachel… turning round she was covered in steaming brown monkey poo which had fallen from the canopy above!!

Inside the sanctuary was amazing - we met the permanent resident 2 and 3 fingered Sloths that were unable to survive in the wild (blind, amputee, etc), and saw the area where they teach and reintroduce the ones that can. Our guide was funny and we learned a lot. I feel a key fact was that they come down from their tree once per week only and pass 1kg of stool and 1litre of urine - what a way to hedge your bets and keep clear of predators!

Afternoon spent on the white beach, in the warm sea, playing a combination of coconut shy meets boules we fashioned out of driftwood and coconuts. Dom is incredibly competitive but it was worth loosing seeing the funniest celebration dance - rolling around making angels in the sand hahaha!! Called to have a drink (and tried some coconut hummus) on the way back and saw two backpackers being filmed which was VERY exciting… I’ll say no more there but we had to give consent for our footage to be used.

After a rest and shower we went out for food (quesedella and pizza to share), cocktails (Rach tried Soursop another native juice, this one apparently having superfood/antioxidant properties) and characteristically competitive Uno and “hello Clarice” belly laughs!Læs mere