I write this from the island of Patmos. I am staying in Skala but the view from my balcony is the historical white walled city village of Chora crowned by the Monastery of St John the Theologian. As pretty as it is here with its Tamerisk lined beaches, something beckons me towards this Christian mecca. …
The rains are late this year in Greece. Everyone is waiting. The olives need it to plump up ready for the harvest and the rivers want replenishing. Just like elsewhere climatic changes are altering the seasonal shifts; the tick tock of the annual clock. Climatic uncertainty affects our ontological security, that is when things that …
A lovely lie-in is followed by a wholesome breakfast and time to go shopping in San Jose. It doesn’t take us long to reach the centre square and from here the main shopping areas. I am surprised by how much I like this city. Although not very pretty to look at, it has a good …
A 7am start and departure for Volcano Poas national park. It is important to get the early morning weather in order for us to see the Poas crater in its full glory. Volcano Poas National Park is the most visited in Costa Rica; partly because of its proximity to San Jose but also because the …
Continue reading Day 9: Craters, caged animals and waterfalls…
An early start is followed by a short bus ride to Cahuita national park where our first stop is to pick up two boats to take us out to the reef. The sky is dark and rain clouds once again threaten the horizon. As we head off the sea is still and silky; flattened by …
Day 5: Rivers, jungles and Puerto Viejo The day begins early. I am getting used to these early starts. I like my little cabin in the forest but it is not easy to get a good night’s sleep. Although the days are sunny, the evenings are chilly. My bed feels damp and a cold clammy …
I am writing this sat under a mimosa, the light is fading, flocks of noisy toucans head towards their roost, the occasional howler monkey’s monster-like call can be heard coming from the trees in the distance, and the night time insects begin their chorus. In front of me there is a makeshift football pitch where …
Continue reading Day 4: Woodpeckers, snorkelling and night-time adventures…
After a chilly, restless night, I am awoken by a most horrific sound. It can only be Howler monkeys as they are the ones who lead the dawn chorus. Eventually these noisy animals quieten and the birds begin their melodies as the day shift moves in. It is still dark and feels incredibly early. I …
It is a 6am breakfast and a 7am departure from the hotel. The sun is shining and the city looks better already. Today we are taking a five hour drive to Gandoca which is a stretch of coastline at the very south east corner of the country bordering Panama. Our guide, Jonathon is a …
Continue reading Day 2: San Jose to Gandoca: sloths, vultures and desolate shores
Forward It is the 1st November 2016 and I am travelling with 22 students who are on various undergraduate courses encompassing the disciplines of geography, biology and ecology. Their tutors are Drs. Rick Stafford, Anita Diaz and Philippa Gillingham. We will be visiting a number of projects and habitats whilst on our travels. Using these …
