Mom won the Olympic gold in the sleeping event; or is that the Rip van Winkle award? Do kids even read that story anymore? She crawled into bed after her cocktail hour on the patio at about 6:30 and didn’t get up until 8:30 this morning! I definitely didn’t inherit that gene.
A leisurely breakfast with lots of yakking, then back to the room to get some stuff together, then we headed to the front to catch the shuttle to the entrance of the park. So easy. We walked another block or so, then entered the Bird Park. It was created in 1994 and currently houses over 900 birds from 150 different species. As visitors, we walked along the 1500 meter path, passing large enclosures filled with birds, many of whom had baby chicks (and there was a sign hanging on the fencing indicating that was the case).
The path led through several enclosures, and we had to enter through one door, wait for it to close, then enter the actual aviary through a second door. The bright and beautiful birds were something to see, even for someone such as myself who isn’t at all fond of zoos. This particular institution helps dwindling species to procreate with the hope they will then be re-introduced into the wild. We went through the Macaw sanctuary,
and then the area with toucans, where we were so surprised to see the birds flying down to get closer to humans, and to even let them touch. At the time, we didn’t realize this was okay, and I was just waiting for that giant beak to chomp down on somebody’s finger! Mom was thrilled to get so close and insisted I keep snapping pictures. Here you go:
scarlet ibis and pheasant (not under glass)
After that we the path led through the butterfly sanctuary, and then we were schvitzing so bad that we were ready to head back. We started to walk back to the shuttle, me waving at them so they’d hold up (and we wouldn’t have to sit in the sun for 20 minutes for the next one), and we jumped right on board and were back at the hotel in 10 minutes, the beautiful falls chugging along across the street.
A quick change, lunch in the poolside restaurant, having some roasted hearts of palm – almost on the hoof!!
and then we scored a couple of lounge chairs. Not only did someone immediately lay out a couple of towels on each chair, but every 20 minutes or so, he’d come by with a chilled, herb-y towel for the face, or a little shot glass filled with some exotic fruit slushy or other creation. A girl could get used to this! I did some laps jogging in the pool, and then laid back out to dry off. Chatted a bit with the gentleman sitting next to us (originally from Denver) and his wife, then when brushing some insect off of my foot, got stung right by my toes. Ouch!!! The (obviously second) wife procured some ice cubes, which were very soothing…
That was enough for me, so I headed back to the room to “lick my wounds”, laugh with mom while we repacked for departure tomorrow, and just hung out.
About 5:15, we headed out to walk the trail along the falls, take more pictures and just enjoy where we were once again. First part of the trail was empty, but soon enough, a tour bus of people came cruising along. We still enjoyed ourselves, and so much emptier than the other day.
along the trail, caught some crab-eating raccoons acting like teenage boys:
Close to 6, the ranger came to ask people to leave, but we didn’t have to because we’re staying at the hotel in the park. It’s amazing how I can take a picture, framed a particular way, and then still take 5 more because I’m not sure I got it quite right. So many beautiful angles and perspectives, and really, nothing with the camera can capture the beauty I see through my eyes. But it’s a continual quest, n’est-ce pas?
Back for showers, updating the blog, and out to the poolside restaurant for their nightly barbecue.