Jungle

Today we started our tour with Evar at 8am. We got into his boat and headed out to the head of the Monkey River (about 50 minutes away via ocean). The Mangrove trees are really cool! As we were just leaving the beach we saw 2 bottlenose dolphins~
We got to monkey river town and placed our order for lunch later that day - fish and beans and rice. Then we continued on up the river to spot various birds and wildlife. When we were about 1/2 way up the river, we stopped at the bank and our guide got out w/ his machete to check out the monkey situation for us. He came back to take us to where they were. We saw several up in the trees - howling and swinging from trees. The Mosquitos were really bad (glad we had brought long pants and shirts). After we watched the monkeys for a while we wandered in the jungle as he pointed out land crabs, termites nests, lizards, birds, blue butterflies, and all kinds of plants and things which he explained. He knew the botanical names for everything. He grew up around there and has lived here for 46 years....
So, once we were back to the boat, we continued up the river and spotted a ton of baby crocodiles (no mama in sight). Evar asked if we wanted to go swimming, to which the 4 of us in the boat declined.
Then, we headed back and ate, and then on the way back to placencia from Monkey River town, we spotted several Manatee. One came right up to the boat! They are very cute and kindof look like seals when they surface. You find them by lookiing for the huge mud clouds that they stir up from the bottom as they move along and then you just wait for them to come up for air every now and then.
So, all in all, a lucky wildlife day. We're back here at purple space monkey for some dinner. Neither of us very hungry - slightly uneasy stomachs. Buddy, you had asked about the advil in the title of the last post and its meaning.....being out on the really rough sea did a number on my back and butt and head. My brains are slightly jarred.
Tomorrow we will be up at 6:00 to catch the hokey pokey water taxi to Independence, and then buses to Dangriga, Belmopan and finally San Ignacio.
Thanks for checking this and posting comments! It's way easier than dealing with emails. Time to eat and then get gelatto for the last time~