Flor de Oro, originally a 5-star lodge, but now slowly deteriorating due to lack of maintenance, is cut out of the jungle and critters often wander through looking for food (tasty soursop is an abundant fruit around the place). During the early morning we spot tarantulas, frogs, and a monitor lizard. This is our last morning in Noel Kempff Mercado National Park. A few days is simply not enough time to do justice to this magnificent national park. It would take months, perhaps a lifetime, to experience all the park has to offer. In that respect, Fernando, is a lucky man – as are his family who have made our stay so pleasant (Christi adores the fresh fruit drinks and simple, tasty food).
Our last excursion is through tall pampas grass, yet another component of the varied ecology in this park. In theory the pampas offers a better chance to glimpse some of the rarer mammals in the park, such as tapirs and anteaters. We walk to Orchid Island in searing heat. During the wet season (i.e. not now) the island is ablaze with flowering orchids. We do see thousands of arboreal bromeliads but sadly no large (or small) mammals.
We return to Flor de Oro under dark, rain-filled skies. Cool off in the shower, pack, and eat a last lunch as the rain begins egged on by strong winds. Greg, our pilot, is not at all concerned, though. It’s another bumpy take off, but Flor de Oro quickly disappears from view – lost in a cloud bank that lingers all the way back to Santa Cruz. To be in such a small plane, buffeted by the wind, rain, and clouds, leaves me quaking in my boots. I, for one, am very relieved to touchdown safely in Santa Cruz. Thanks, Greg. Back at the Globetrotter hotel, our room, and its accompanying furniture, is larger and more eclectic than before. We even have a bidet. Surreal.
Blog post by Roderick Phillips, author of Weary Heart – a gut wrenching, heart-wrenching, laugh-wrenching ride
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