Greetings from Tortuguero

Well, we made it to the camp at Jalova after a 4 hr bus ride - last 45 mins on dirt tracks - and 2 1/2hrs on a water taxi. We are the first group at the new camp so there is a bit of work in getting things finished around the place. Accommodation is on the basic side of basic but we have been so busy that bed at 8.00pm and breakfast at 5.30 seems completely normal now. The camp is based at an old farmhouse with a number of outbuildings surrounded by a coconut plantation. Rain forest surrounds everything on three sides - the fourth side is the Caribbean - dark sand beach and very stormy seas for the last week. This is the second most important beach for green turtle nesting in the world and stretches for about 18 miles. I am on the rota for the jaguar walk on Sunday which involves a 15 mile walk along the beach looking for signs of jaguars and predation on the marine turtles.
We both managed to pass the Bird and mammal tests at the end of our training - so on to the surveys which start on Saturday.
Friday is our day off, so we are in town today ($20 water taxi ride) to use internet and phone, do a little shopping and perhaps pizza and cold beer for lunch. Even managed to find the laundry so that we can get clothes washed and dried - 95-100% humidity at camp means that everything is always damp.
The wildlife is amazing - mostly birds so far - we have seen most of our survey species just around the camp. Slightly worrying to find that our boat landing beach is also a crocodile breeding site - fortunately not the right season now. However we did see a big 2.0m crocodile on the river bank this morning.
There are about 26 people on camp -including staff and volunteers - not surprised to find that I am the oldest in the group. Think the average age is around 27 and the youngest is 19!
Will probably only get to town weekly or less but there are occasional extra trips.
Food is also basic but keeping us both well. Big bonus last night when a local fisherman brought us a bonito which was cooked for supper / breakfast. All those years of January detox are standing us in good stead!