rain forest blog

A boat voyage that started like any other soon became a dramatic rescue attempt, when something unusual was spotted floating in the water not far from shore.

At first glance the Retreat here seems only accessible by boat; yet for the determined, there do exist trails through the rainforest that connects the land with Golfito and the other little settlements nestled in Piedras Blancas National Park.

It was a grey morning, perfect for walking as we set off into the jungle following the trusty Chilin, one of Playa San Josecito's wise men, who walked carrying only a Machete. We crossed the dry river bed and disappeared up a path which turned out to be the beginning of a steep climb...

When I arrived at Golfo Dulce Retreat, one of the first things it was insisted that I see was the chicken coop. Raising chickens in the rainforest sounded daunting to me at first, in an environment so different to the English farmyard...

Today we had the privilege of welcoming squirrel monkeys and parrots as our neighbours-to-be here in Golfo Dulce! The monkeys and parrots were all rescued by Zoo Ave, a wildlife rescue organisation right next door to us...

Every evening, after the sun goes down, the evening chorus begins to call and Golfo Dulce Retreat is filled with the sounds of life...

As the jungle awakened I walked down the path weaving through the garden. Hummingbirds hovered at the brilliant pink flowers of the ginger bushes whose leaves were dripping with dew...

With my suitcase wheeling behind me, I walked up the path from the beach to the restaurant at Golfo Dulce Retreat as I was introduced to each of the family members in turn. It was a good thing I’d made an effort to learn names before arrival though; between the scenery and the dogs running to greet me my attention was somewhat distracted!

As one of the world’s greatest chocoholics, one of my biggest fears before coming to the rainforest for three months was that I would not be able to cope with the lack of chocolate. Luckily, a few days before Easter we stumbled across some ripe cacao pods...