We are not quite sure why Cesar let Stevie Ray drive the boat ... but Steve was on a mission to find monkeys. I just figured we had the three boys on the boat - we really don't have to search too far to find monkeys ... Note, we still carry the paddle in the event that the engine decides to crap out again.
As part of its eco-tourism efforts, the Institute that protects the Reserve assisted the local communities create an eco-lodge to provide a source of income for the local population. It is a floating lodge, with amazing food, caipirinhas (which I'll discuss later), and eco-tours. We stayed at a research station about 1/2 a mile away from the lodge.
Me sitting on the dock of our research station; we called this the princess chair. God, it was gorgeous.
We were fortunate to be able to take a canoe ride through the rain forest; the "trail" via canoe can be hiked during the dry season. As you can see, Maiken tried to trick the mosquitoes into thinking she was part of the rain forest with her camoflage ... It didn't work. They are too smart for that. And, they seem to know exactly where you aren't covered with Deet - your earlobes and behind your ears. Lesson learned.
Again, these pictures don't do the forest justice. Plants and trees literally just grow out of the water. The larger picture below is one of my favorites. I absolutely love how you can't tell where the trees begin and end. 
On our canoe ride, we were able to see a spider the size of a baby's head, which kind of freaked me out. The monkeys (squirrel monkeys, howler monkeys, and the red-faced monkey) were the most adorable - unfortunately, they moved so quickly that it was hard to get a picture of them. The howler monkey, which is actually quite small but carries a big presence - it literally "howls" to protect its territory. At first, it's strange, but after a while it's funny. I think we have all mastered the howler monkey's howl. In fact, we often wake each other up with the sound of the howler monkey ...
The the reflection of the sunsets over such calm, tranquil waters is breath-taking. The next two are also amazing shots.
I will say, that we celebrated our trip through the Reserve with some cocktails at the Eco-Lodge ... but more on that later.
Also, it's Stevie Ray's birthday today! He has finally joined the club of the +30, or twenty-ten. We can now invite him out with us old farts. Don't worry, Kenia, we'll make sure that he doesn't vomit.
Ciao Ciao for now - or as Menaka would say, Chalo.
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