What are the Odds?: Tortuguero- the canal

Quotes

"You are what your deep, driving desire is. As your desire is, so is your will. As your will is, so is your deed, as your deed is, so is your destiny." Brihadaranyaka Upanishad 4.5 (Translated by Eknath Easwaran.).

"Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back, always ineffectiveness concerning all acts of initiative and creation. There is one elementary truth the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then providence moves too. All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one’s favor all manner of unforeseen incidents and meetings and material assistance which no man could have dreamed would have come his way. Whatever you can do or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it. Begin it now." Goethe

" I have come to the frightening conclusion that I am the decisive element. It is my personal approach that creates the climate. It is my daily mood that makes the weather. I possess tremendous power to make a life miserable or joyous. I can be a tool of torture or an instrument of inspiration. I can humiliate or humor, hurt, or heal. In all situations, it is my response that decides whether a crisis will be escalated or de-escalated, and a person humanized or de-humanized. If we treat people as they ought to be, we help them become what they are capable of becoming." Goethe

"Being committed to place ourselves in an environment that we know will make us grow and teach us about our deepest selves builds character, strength, and courage. We soon find ourselves in the habit of growth and find that "we’ve arrived" by our mere presence on the path. We find ourselves at home in the heat of our own refinement." Scott Moore

"The last thing the world needs is another perfect Downward Facing Dog pose. What the world does need is another open heart." Judeth Lasater

Saturday, October 11, 2008

Tortuguero- the canal

At 9:30 am Saturday morning Willis came and picked us up from the hotel and brought us to the dock. Here we meet up with a group of about 10 to be shown the wonders of Tortuguero. It was nice to not have to think for awhile and just enjoy. Our transportation, lodging, activities and meals were covered for the next 30 hours.

One of my favorite shots of the two of us.-- Look good in Sepia- don't you think!

Amy and I were in agreement that the 3 hour canal ride to Tortuguero was a highlight. It was incredible how different the Caribbean side was to the Pacific.

This post is more a photo log of the amazing sights from the boat on our watery highway around Tortuguero. Their cars are boats and their highways are canals.

Amy and I sat in the front to have the best view possible. My legs were still sun burnt when I got back to Utah from that day.

Willis Rankin- our fantastic host and guide

This is why we were afraid for the little dog who went swimming after their family as they took off in their boat.

The "Imperial" bird...

Iguana

Not sure what this guy was doing- but he was in the same position on our way back as our way there.

The police station?!

The canal was bird watchers paradise- I hoped to get a picture of the river otter- but he was too quick.

I know- enough with the birds already...

Another favorite picture of mine. Where the canal met the ocean... we took a hard left here.

Those would be bats all in a row

At this point, it really felt like we were on the jungle book ride in Disneyland. Except of course, 10 times better because this one was for real. So I had Amy take a picture of me with my "Mickey Mouse ears" on.

Toucan Sam

Ending with another favorite picture of mine.

So there you have a few sights from the comfort of Willis Rankin's boat. He also took us through the deep woods to see poisonous dart frogs- none of my pictures were any good- so just trust me- I saw them hopping about.

Next is our land based activities...