Walking in the jungle of southern Costa Rica is always a pleasure. Today humidity has been in the high 80's. As I write this now having got back home, the tropical rain has come after several days, and is making it's beautiful music on the roof and leaves mixed with the afternoon bird chorus.
        The Jungle was very steamy and hot today, the cicadas filling the air with their calls. I walked an old and somewhat forgotten path, many fallen trees and vines, trying to return all to nature, as is their way.
        I found a suspension bridge on my path that was thoughtfully labelled with warning tape to ward off potential users! I managed to find another path to avoid this hazard and crossed the gorge at a safer location.
        I encountered many stunningly beautiful and massive trees. I love the huge buttresses they form to support their incredible weight. The scale of these trees is hard to convey but many are more than 100ft tall, and always an assortment of smaller trees ready to claim any free canopy space, when the older trees eventually give way.
        The wonders and pace of growth of the plants and trees here always amazes me, the growing conditions are not dissimilar to a green house, year round so there is almost no check to growth other than slightly less water in the coming few months. But the daily rain will return by around June and the great cycle will continue.
        If you would like to sample the joys of the jungle and the wild beauty of the Pacific coast of Costa Rica I happen to know of a fantastic eco retreat. Currently there are two awesome Costa Rican style Rancho's which are perfectly suited to the tropical temperatures with their palm thatch roofs and split level open plan living. Perfect for an artist retreat, yoga, wild life photography or surfing holiday. Local guides available for wild life walks, guide to local plants, cooking, surfing and much more! Hear the surf breaking on the beach from your hammock or bed - 100 steps from a gorgeous beach... Contact ranchospavones@gmail.com