Travel Journal 3 

 
In La Paz, we had a delicious American/Costa Rican style buffet then explored the wildlife the hotel had to offer. We started by viewing the tucans, hummingbirds, and yigurros. I got a chance to take a picture with a tucan on my shoulder, with its claws clasping on tightly to my shirt as if for dear life. The hummingbirds were quite swift and active as they flew shamelessly directly past our heads and shoulders. The next exhibit we examined was the butterfly gardens and then the snake preserve followed that. The butterfly gardens were quite hot and humid as well all attempted to have the butterflies land on our hands and limbs. The feeling of the butterflies´ antennae was quite ticklish on my skin. The snake preserve I took particular interest in as the most venemous snale (bushmaster) was not necessarily the most hostile (fer-de-lance). The abundance of vipers with triangular heads in the exhibit also fascinated me. After the snake exhibit, we visited the monkeys and then the jungle cats. The monkeys were quite comical as they mocked us by making funny faces. My friend Tom managed to lure one over by squishing his cheeks together and making noises with his tongue, which allowed me to get a picture from inches away. The jungle cats really fascinated me, especially the full grown leopard. I was surprised by how angry we made the leopard by mocking it through the window, while the baby leopards and smaller jungle cats simply slept, adorably so, through our mockery. The excursion also included a trip to the La Paz waterfalls, which were extremely vast and created a sound much like the rushing water of an overhead shower head. I managed to get captivating pictures of the waterfalls and the lush vegetation that surrounded it. La Paz was important to include on the Costa Rican trip because it showed us the great biodiversity and beauty that takes place in the region. It is enlightening to know that nature could hold such wonders. La Paz particularly impacted me not only because of its beauty but also because of its genuity and its efforts to committ to an all natural and beautiful wildlife conservation. I was particularly impressed by the fact that all the animals in La Paz were rescued. Furthermore, La Paz is important to Costa Rica as a whole as it provides a wonderful and luxorious resort-like outlet to the fantastic wonders of the country of Costa Rica. I was truly grateful to have been in the presence of the beauty witnessed in La Paz and to have witnessed the beauty of the tremendous waterfall gardens.