Howler Monkeys
Blog 2: Monkey Business
Our last writing, Blog #1, Vamos a Central America, shared our interesting move from the States to Costa Rica.
Jan and I and our two pups are in our new home in Atenas, Costa Rica. A few bags are still unpacked, but lots going on.
Our New Home
Our new casa is a three-year-old furnished home with three bedrooms (one is my office), two baths, an electric stove, washer and dryer, refrigerator, microwave, on-demand hot water, Internet, and lots of ceiling fans (no AC needed). Although our motorhome was huge by RVing standards, our new place feels pleasantly massive.
Our walk-out patio deck borders a grove of bamboo, a stand of deciduous trees, and a streaming river with a waterfall.
Bird Feeder Birds
A variety of birds live close or nearby, and many like to frequent our bird feeder out on the deck. We had a couple in town build the feeder for us, and it is a constant focus of entertainment.
Here you can see my camera set up just a few yards away from the action.
Jan fills our bird feeder each morning just before dawn, and we usually get a nice variety of birds to eat the fruit—they like the papaya, love the bananas, but oranges and other fruit, not so much.
Here are a few customers: Motmots, Baltimore oriole, Hofmann’s woodpecker, keel-billed toucan, and more.
Lots more birds will be coming in future blogs.
Monkey Business
We have been wonderfully pleased with some of our deck visitors (and again you will see more in the future), but at the top of our entertainment list (that goes for Jack and Toby as well) are monkeys. We have two different types of monkeys with some basic similarities and a few big differences.
White-faced capuchin monkeys (normally called white-faced monkeys) seem to be the most common. What a treat! With no warning, the leaves start to tremble and branches start to bow as these seriously looking mammals zig-zag across the canopy in perfect Tarzan choreography. We have seen them in groups of two to seven, eating leaves and coming quite close as they swing through the bamboo.
The second type is the Howler monkey. Howler monkeys are commonly called “Congo monkeys” in Costa Rica.
Wonder why they are called “howler?” Click here for a clue.
As you probably have guessed, you can hear these guys coming. In fact, the common reaction of people the first time they hear this howl is: “Holy Moly! What is it? Are there bears in Costa Rica! Where can I hide!” For example, the normally fearless Toby stops in his tracks, and cautious Jack, well, he acts cautiously.
Driving in SJO
Our first day driving in a new city and in a new car was good—we only got honked at twice and flipped off once! I’ve done a little big-city driving, and this had all the similar attributes—speed limits considered just recommendations, tailgating seen as a sign of professional know-how—but another big consideration here is the quality of the roads. In many cases, the roads are the worst: narrow, rocky lanes ending with no warning, initially smooth roads turning into cow paths, and San Andreas-fault wannabes waiting around a bend.
Later, after we had time to reflect, we’ve arrived at the following Key Points and Recommendations for Driving:
In the next blog, I’ll introduce you to some new critters I think you will like and maybe share an experience or two.
Pura Vida!
Jan and I and our two pups are in our new home in Atenas, Costa Rica. A few bags are still unpacked, but lots going on.
Our New Home
Our new casa is a three-year-old furnished home with three bedrooms (one is my office), two baths, an electric stove, washer and dryer, refrigerator, microwave, on-demand hot water, Internet, and lots of ceiling fans (no AC needed). Although our motorhome was huge by RVing standards, our new place feels pleasantly massive.
Our walk-out patio deck borders a grove of bamboo, a stand of deciduous trees, and a streaming river with a waterfall.
Bird Feeder Birds
A variety of birds live close or nearby, and many like to frequent our bird feeder out on the deck. We had a couple in town build the feeder for us, and it is a constant focus of entertainment.
Here you can see my camera set up just a few yards away from the action.
Jan fills our bird feeder each morning just before dawn, and we usually get a nice variety of birds to eat the fruit—they like the papaya, love the bananas, but oranges and other fruit, not so much.
Here are a few customers: Motmots, Baltimore oriole, Hofmann’s woodpecker, keel-billed toucan, and more.
Lots more birds will be coming in future blogs.
Monkey Business
We have been wonderfully pleased with some of our deck visitors (and again you will see more in the future), but at the top of our entertainment list (that goes for Jack and Toby as well) are monkeys. We have two different types of monkeys with some basic similarities and a few big differences.
White-faced capuchin monkeys (normally called white-faced monkeys) seem to be the most common. What a treat! With no warning, the leaves start to tremble and branches start to bow as these seriously looking mammals zig-zag across the canopy in perfect Tarzan choreography. We have seen them in groups of two to seven, eating leaves and coming quite close as they swing through the bamboo.
The second type is the Howler monkey. Howler monkeys are commonly called “Congo monkeys” in Costa Rica.
Wonder why they are called “howler?” Click here for a clue.
As you probably have guessed, you can hear these guys coming. In fact, the common reaction of people the first time they hear this howl is: “Holy Moly! What is it? Are there bears in Costa Rica! Where can I hide!” For example, the normally fearless Toby stops in his tracks, and cautious Jack, well, he acts cautiously.
Driving in SJO
Our first day driving in a new city and in a new car was good—we only got honked at twice and flipped off once! I’ve done a little big-city driving, and this had all the similar attributes—speed limits considered just recommendations, tailgating seen as a sign of professional know-how—but another big consideration here is the quality of the roads. In many cases, the roads are the worst: narrow, rocky lanes ending with no warning, initially smooth roads turning into cow paths, and San Andreas-fault wannabes waiting around a bend.
Later, after we had time to reflect, we’ve arrived at the following Key Points and Recommendations for Driving:
- Study a real map ahead of time just to get some grounding if things go south. (Don’t even think about traveling without a travel app, such as Waze or Google.
- Road signs are nice…when they are there and IF they are accurate.
- Really try to drive a 4WD, as they handle potholes and dirt paths much better.
- When Waze (the most popular travel app) says turn in 100 meters, you better be ready.
- Ignore the motorcycles/motor bikes (because they ignore you). The drivers must be on missions from God or on the way to someone who tips really well for on-time delivery for the crazy risks they take.
- If your app says one hour, plan on two, and be ready for three. Hence, pee early, bring extra water, a snack might be nice, and audio books are good as well.
- Watch for and use hand signs to conspire with other drivers. For example, the “I’m coming anyway" command or “come quick and I’ll let you in" signal, and so on.
- Tolerate tailgating—that’s just what they do.
- Don’t drive at night—park it and text Uber.
- Use relaxation therapy before leaving.
- Mild, non-impairing drugs might be an OK option.
- Be calm and be kind.
In the next blog, I’ll introduce you to some new critters I think you will like and maybe share an experience or two.
Pura Vida!