Mementos

The Wild Side of Pura Vida

In January 2024, I traveled to Costa Rica for the first time with a small tour group focused on nature and birding. We started in the Pacific lowlands around Carara National Park and then drove up to 11,000+ feet in the Talamanca Mountains. After a few days in the lovely cloud forests of San Gerardo de Dota, we explored the hills above Turrialba and then over to the Caribbean side of the Continental Divide, stopping at the rainforests of Sarapiqui and then onto Arenal, eventually finishing our adventure near the Nicaraguan border in Boca Tapada.

Not only was this a whirlwind of a journey but a revelation. I was blown away by the diversity of species and Costa Rica’s reverence for its precious flora and fauna. Truly the land of Pura Vida.

Un Buceo Especial (A Special Dive)

250 miles south of Cabo San Lucas lies the remote UNESCO World Heritage Revillagigedo Archipelago, home to far roaming pelagics such as shark, oceanic mantas and bottlenose dolphin.  While small pods can be heard and sometimes express curiosity towards divers, this gregarious gal approached our group to receive affection from our guides Daniel and Pablo as well as my friends from Australia and New Zealand.  We were deeply touched and privileged to make a connection with this sentient being and experience its free will.  Extraordinario!

Manta Alley

An incredible day in Komodo National Park, diving with the Arenui Boutique Liveaboard. Not only did we have a fantastic encounter with 10+ mantas but we had a surprise guest, an elusive marine creature that some of us, including our vastly experienced dive guide, had never seen under the waves.