Costa Rica CA
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Travel: Costa Rica
By MARTHA NETHERTON | Summit Daily News
What hit me first upon my return from Costa Rica was the noise, and I live in a very quiet place. The sound of my computer, the sound of the washing machine — they were in vast contrast to the quiet loudness of the jungle. The howler monkeys would roar in the distance, and you could have sworn there was a band of lions and tigers about to leap from the undergrowth. The best way for a human to emulate it would be to belch really loud, really deep and really slow. It's a sound that will linger for a long time. To hear it in its natural state is moving.
The capuchin monkeys joyfully stole the show. It was hard to imagine what it might really be like to see monkeys swinging around in the jungle. It sounded so Disney, so Hollywood and so contrived. As soon as we checked into our room, I saw a movement in the surrounding forest. Soon, there were three capuchins moving toward our deck. They swung their way down the hillside, stopping to welcome us to the jungle. One sat in the tree and looked at me. Another hung its head over the roof. The third decided to hang upside down.
This place was rapidly becoming amazing and addictive. The monkeys were surrounding us, and we soon learned how to time their daily visits to the beaches of Manual Antonio National Park. We found ourselves captivated by their antics and charismatic traits. Just outside the park, where things can get a bit touristy, we were taking a stroll when we spotted another group of capuchins swinging through the jungle. As three of the monkeys played in the trees, another found its way onto a power line. He was using the line as if it was a part of the rain forest, just swinging along while we shot pictures. Suddenly, there was a loud noise followed by sparks and a giant ZAP. The monkey had hit the transformer. We covered our mouths and gasped as we saw the tragedy unfold. The remaining monkeys started chattering — we learned later that was the only way they had to teach the young ones not to make the same mistake. The same thing happens when a monkey ventures onto the ground and gets eaten by a boa constrictor: All the other monkeys gather to watch and attempt to teach their children not to go down to the ground. Needless to say, we lost all our enthusiasm for a twilight stroll, and vowed to purchase a "monkey bridge" in memory of the late capuchin. >>> Go to Full Story >>>