Camaronal is the perfect place to conculde an incredible Raleigh Expedition. Zulu 4 are staying at the Camaronal Ranger Station, 10 metres from a beautiful 3Km beach. We wake up to the sound of the Pacific Ocean each day, ready for our day shift which starts at 0730. We have completed the first bridge which will enhance access for tourists to a path running parrallel to the beach. We have also cleared the beach of rubbish and driftwood to allow the turtles a clear path to their nesting grounds.
A run of five nighshifts has just been completed by Joe, Craig, Aurelia, Moritz and Sarita. They patrolled the beach at night looking for turtles that come ashore to lay their eggs. Any eggs laid are counted, recorded and sometimes moved to the hatchery to a different next to deter poachers from stealing them. Rachel, Cat, Tom, Sarah, Erika and Sarita took over the night duty last night. We have seen two sets of baby turtles taking their first steps towards the ocean and being washed away by the waves. On Tuesday we were lucky enough to witness a Leatherback turtle (about 1.5m long) come ashore, dig her nest and lay 45 eggs. She then carefully covered the hole and returned to the sea. The whole process took about an hour and a half and was amazing to watch!
There has also been plenty of time to enjoy relaxing on the beach and in the hammocks. The more energetic members of the group (Tom, Drew, Sammy and Rachel) have been jogging on the beach each day and today Rachel made a volleyball net and is organising a tournament with the German and American volunteers that are also here. On Wednesday we had a day off and took a trip to Playa Carillo where we had lots of fun playing in the waves and sunbathing. Tonight is Sarah’s last night at Camaronal so firestarters Drew and Tom have organised a bonfire and Katie made an awesome Banoffee pie (we’ve learnt to become creative with Raleigh rations!) Everyone is excited about returning home for Christmas but until then think of us enjoying the turtles, beach and December sunshine!
Welcome to the official blog for Expedition 13A. We'll be keeping you posted on all the happenings of life on expedition from 10th January to 11th April. Check back and please send us your comments, it's free and easy. ¡Pura vida!
Hi Cat (Spence) Zulu 4
ReplyDeleteYou sound like you are having such fun !! We all loved hearing how you are getting on. You are going to notice a huge difference in temperature and lifestyle on your return to the UK. No sunbathing here in our chilly weather although not cold enough for snow.
Keep on saving those turtles!!
love Mum and Dad
xxxxxx
For Samantha Davie, Zulu 4
ReplyDeleteWe've been waiting for some news from your group to be able to add a comment. This phase sounds great fun and amazing to be able to work with the turtles. Glad to hear that you're keeping fit running on the beach. Must be better than on the roads here! We're all missing you loads and can't wait to see you next week and get a full report on your trip. Have fun in the meantime and make the most of the weather. It's wet and cold here!
Lots of love
Mum and Dad
Ha lieve Thomas,
ReplyDeleteWat super dat je bij het schildpaddenproject bent terecht gekomen. Het klinkt als een paradijs. En jij behoort tot de sportieven die hardlopen? Super!
Lieve zoon, geniet volop van al het moois en bijzonders wat je omringd.
Dikke zoen én 'tot de verste ster en weer terug!'van Mamma
Sarah (Zulu 4) Hola!!! como va ese bronceado salvaje después de tantos días en la playa?? espero que no muy salvaje jaja, espero este disfrutando de esta última semana, sé que es muy dificil el sólo hecho de pensar q esta por terminar, pero e spor eso q debe vivirlo con mayor intensidad, sentir cada rayo de sol, la arena, el mar, disfrutelo, y porfa deles a todos un abrazo de mi parte, no he podido escribir porq hasta mañana termino la U, ya mañana tendré vacaciones!!! y luego Raleigh!! se me cuida! nos vemos pronto! besos kei
ReplyDeleteAurelia (Zulu 4) Hey you! i hope that this time is going pretty good to you!! this is the last week, please enjoy every moment, i remember that i gonna see you soon (and give you a big hug) Be careful with the waves, but enjoy the sun, the sea, evrything!!! see you so soon!! besos xxkei
ReplyDeleteSammy (zulu 4) hellooo! hope that you have lots of fun at the beach! the volleyball sounds cool! i cant wait for watch the Photos! I wish you the best for this last days, take care! big hugs from here! see you soon!! xxkei
ReplyDeleteTo zulu 4! Hey guys i want to writte to everyone, i just dont have enough time because tomorrow i have the final exam, but i wish you all of you the best wishes, enjoy! see you soon!! xoxo kei
ReplyDeleteZulu 4 = Hi Cat
ReplyDeleteAll sounds so wonderful, great to hear you are all getting on so well in your team and making such a difference to your small part of Costa Rica. I have seen the turtles laying their eggs at night in the Carribean and agree it is an amazing experience.
I envy you waking up to that blue of the ocean and the huge open skies every morning and the crashing of the sea.
Lesley is passing all your messages on to us and we are all so thrilled to hear your updates and follow what you are all achieving there.
Have a wonderful last few days and a safe journey home to all of you.
With love from Jane x
Cat Spence - Zulu 4
ReplyDeleteHey Sis, just reading your blog entry. Sounds like sooo much fun! You really are becoming the adventure girl! Looking forward to seeing the photos, should make quite some FCB album!
I still picture you saving the turtles like the ones in Finding Nemo. Thats raaad, duuuuudeee. Noggin, dudee. :)
Hope you have a great last week, cant wait to see you!!
Love, Stephen.
Message for Craig Chatfield Zulu 4
ReplyDeleteHi mate,
Hope you have enjoyed this experience and the others that you have completed. Hope your keeping well and have kept fit. All ok at home and both your Nan's are doing fine. Stanleys missing you (dont think hes been for a walk since you went??) Anyhow you will soon be on your way back home to sunny England.
Try and drop your Mom an email before you leave and we will speak soon.
Love Mom, Dad, Scott, Lorna and Stan xxxx
For Hardeep...
ReplyDeleteI hope you are enjoying your last few days in the sunshine!!!Look after the little turtles well. I have been keeping myself abit more busy christmas shopping! I am counting down the days till you get back and cant wait to see you again!!!Till then stay safe, love you lots Vayxxxxxx
Hi Catherine what atruly memorable time you are having! I'm rubbish at going on line but Mum keeps me up to dat with what you are doing. Think on - I sat the other side of the Pacific Ocean in Oz ...... and i'm going to do it again in March - going out to bring Jo home ... via China!!! it's not just you younguns that can travel!! I know that the memories and friendships you have made on his trip will stay with you forever. Enjoy the time left - give a turtle a kiss from me - take care can't wait to hear all about it lots of love Lynda, Jo and Graham x
ReplyDeleteAh Cat
ReplyDeleteAaaahhh that sounds amazing!!! You're such a hero it must be an incredible thing to watch the turtles laying their eggs.
Can't wait to see you! Jenfar xxx