We awakened this morning in Golfo Dulce, a beautiful area with very deep waters – in some areas as deep as 800 feet! – created by shifting tectonic plates many years ago. After breakfast we took advantage of the high tide to explore Rio Tigre, an area thick with mangroves and forest. Bottlenose dolphins swam around the ship in greeting, and the tide began receding as we loaded into kayaks and expedition landing crafts, demonstrating why this area is only accessible in higher waters. We floated and paddled down river, soaking in the sunshine and peaceful feeling, tucking into little coves here and there, and searching the foliage for wildlife. The wildlife we spotted included a two-toed sloth and many birds including common pooto, great and snowy egrets, little blue heron, pelicans, and an osprey hunting for fish. In the late morning, we reconvened in the lounge and learned about chocolate production by a local farmer, complete (of course!) with some samples.
During lunch the National Geographic Sea Lion repositioned to anchor just offshore of Casa Orquideas, a small beautiful botanical garden created by American owners Trudy and Ron McAllister. First, we cooled off with a swim while some tested their balance on our new stand-up paddleboards. Afterwards, we met up with Ron and Trudy and split off into groups to meander along the paths to see the gorgeous flora and fauna of the amazing oasis they have created here over the last thirty years. We saw many birds, including scarlet macaws, toucans, parrots, tanagers, two species of honey creepers, hummingbirds and blue crown manakins.
In the evening we gathered in the lounge to relax with appetizers and cocktails, and recap our day. At this writing, we are on our way into dinner, while the crew ties up at the port of Golfito to be welcomed by customs at the Panama border.
