Aero: Meghan Kelly – Costa Rica 2013 – Biodiversity
Aero: Meghan Kelly – Costa Rica 2013 – Biodiversity
Aero: Meghan Kelly – Costa Rica 2013 – Biodiversity
Being in Costa Rica for 14 days was definitely a nice vacation from the 30 degree weather we had been experiencing back home. For our entire trip we were blessed with 85 or 90 degree days and sunshine the whole time. It did not rain on us once while we were there nor was there much fog. We were extremely lucky because we have heard that on past trips that fog can get quite thick especially at the higher elevations. We were very blessed with the impeccable weather that we encountered.
Costa Rica is one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen when it comes to nature and wildlife. The entire country is so green and beautiful. We had so many opportunities throughout our time here to see all of the beautiful sites and scenery. We took many excursions that allowed us to not only look at the rain forest and wild life but actually physically immerse ourselves in it.
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Although there are some beautiful animals in Costa Rica we didn’t see very many when taking walking tours through the rainforest. The places that we saw the most animals were at Zoo Ave and also at the Peach Lodge. At the Peace Lodge we saw beautiful toucans that we were actually able to physically touch. There were workers who would put them on your arm for you. I tried to get one to jump from a branch to my arm at one point but the bird was too nervous. A worker came over and put food in my hand so the bird would jump down and eat from my hand. It was the coolest experience and I doubt I will ever experience it again. I was lucky that I had that opportunity to see Costa Rica’s most beautiful wildlife perched right on my arm. I also was able to see many different animals which we couldn’t find back home in the US. Even though most animals we saw were in these places I was also lucky enough to see some in the wild. The whole trip I was determined to see a wild sloth. I thought my luck had run out but three days before we left I was able to see one! I was able to get a picture of his face too which was fascinating. I also saw a wild tarantula living in a log on our night tour through the cloud forest. I have never seen a spider that huge in its natural habitat and I thought it was so neat.
The animals of Alajuela were captivating but so were the rainforests. Everything was so green and beautiful and we were able to see it so many different times throughout our trip. The most incredible experience I had with the beautiful outdoors was when we zip lined through the canopy. There were 12 different lines that we zip lined across with the last one being the longest at ¾ of a mile. Throughout this whole thrilling experience I saw so many incredible things. Being suspended so high in the air allows you to see so many things that you miss while being on the ground. I made sure that I didn’t get so engrossed in the fact that I was flying through the air and to make sure that I took in my surroundings. On some of the lines we could see volcanoes in the background and streams below us. It was absolutely a once in a life time experience and I wouldn’t take it back for the world.
Another time when I was taken back was visiting the volcanoes. We visited two different ones called Volcano Irazú and Volcano Poάs. They were both incredible but my favorite was Volcano Poάs. We hiked a long way and when reaching the top we could see straight down into the crater. There was still smoke coming from the middle of it and everything. We were so close to something so beautiful and dangerous at the same time. I felt so lucky to have seen something that I couldn’t find in my small hometown back home.
Not only was the country beautiful but the way they took care of it was even better. Most places around Alajuela when you would see a trash can you would also see different recycling bins for cans and paper accompanying it. In the United States so many people get used to throwing everything into landfills and that is killing the beauty of our country. In Alajuela they reuse everything that they can find a use for. I noticed this the most when visiting Sr. y Sra. Ese. This was a huge factory that used trees exclusively from Alajuela to make beautiful things out of wood. Our tour guide told us how they aren’t allowed to cut down trees unless they are in danger of falling on a house or bridge. In the US we carelessly cut down so many trees which is taking away from the natural beauty of nature. While taking us through the factory he explained that every scrap that isn’t used for one thing is used for something else so nothing is wasted. I think their care of the nature around them is what keeps the country so beautiful.
I felt extremely lucky that I was able to see all of the unbelievable things that I did while in Alajuela, Costa Rica. I was able to see this beautiful country from so many different ways. I will take these experiences with me for the rest of my life. I consider myself blessed to have had this opportunity.
– Meghan Kelly
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