Day 3, Wednesday, Febraury 25, 2009: Cockscomb Preserve, Tubing Down The River

After a long day of hiking, we were all outfitted with big black innertubes and led back into the jungle towards the river we'd crossed that morning. I thought we must look like leaf cutter ants lumbering down our own little trail single-file carrying loads several times our body weight. The trail ended abruptly in the river with a big sign listing rules and precautions, including a warning that "TUBING IS A HIGHLY DANGEROUS ACTIVITY", even though the river, though clear and sparkly, couldn't have been oozing along at a gentler pace.

Once we had all arrived at the bank in our rash guards and water shoes, we were briefed on our exit strategy, and we clumsily splashed into the water. If you have ever floated down the "Lazy River" at Splish Splash or any other water park, imagine that comfortable, relaxing position and movement, and then place yourself in the most beautiful, lush, pure, immaculate forest setting ever. It was like getting to see the jungle without disturbing the wildlife or exerting yourself at all. And to boot, a lot of the wildlife we were hoping to see but hadn't on the trails were drawn to the riverbank, and we spotted a Kinkachu (which usually isn't out at that time of the day), some scarlet macaws (which feed on this prickly pink fruit that grows in abundance on the bank) and even a group of howler monkeys sitting in a bough where the river diverged.

It was hard not to laugh and splash and play around in the water, but the moment I tried to quiet down and pay attention to the surrounding forest, a whole world of life opened up. There were birds in every tree, flowers and climbing vines, and fish swimming underneath us. It was totally overwhelming and wonderful.

We were told to get out at EXIT #2, but floating past the path marked "EXIT" was pretty disconcerting, and after about 20 more minutes of floating downstream, we were all sure we were at the point of no return, doomed to meet alligators and jaguars in the heart of the Cockscomb jungle. But, at last, we reached the end, as one does, and we swam around in a protected area before heading back to camp, exhausted and wet and happy as can be.

- Sylvia C.