That morning, we took a taxi driven by a local guy named Tolo to El Chorro Macho, an amazing trail through thick forest, climbing stone terraced steps and crossing several stoutly-built rope bridges to reach a great waterfall. The descent itself felt like the one at Chittenango Falls but the flora and fauna couldn't be any more different.
We saw a beautiful and uncommon Wood Rail - a ground bird with bright orange legs, and a Rufous Motmot with it's persimmon head and azure tail feathers! Our guide, a young man who was in training for bird guiding, showed us small fish that he called sardines shimmering in a little stream below the bridge where we stood. These little fish were quite literally 'walking' on stones to get from one small pool to another! As they slithered away, right next to us the smallest bees entered and exited their hive in the crook of a tree. Our guide explained that there were two types of bees in the forest and this was one - smaller than houseflies, these bees did not sting in the course of collecting nectar for making their honey.
We did not visit any of the dining establishments in El Valle that day: Steve made tuna salad and Duane made a garden salad for lunch and for dinner I cooked a multicolored stir fry with bok choy, carrots, red cabbage, onions, sweet peppers, and celery all in a ginger-garlic sauce. Though my friends offered to help, I loved cooking all by myself while listening to their conversations and laughter.
Side note: today, I got to see and hold a three-toed sloth named Samie! See pics below!
Waterfall at Chorro Macho
Walk in town with Cerro Gaital in the background
Sami and Samie
Holding the slowest, most peaceful creature
Star Wars reference near Los Arboles Cuadrado (square trees)
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