That's one BIG backyard

Let it be known that I was NOT trying to eat Caroline's head in the photo featured below, though it did cross my mind. I decided on some nice salted plantain chips instead. They're good AND good for you! (Er...minus the whole deep fried and covered in salt thing.)

Today, we spent much of the morning hiking around La Selva with our awesome tour guide, who knew most of the plant, bird, animal, and insect species we came across, plus all of the local folklore. The tour was so interactive! We got to play with fresh rubber tree sap and new palm leaves, smell cardamon- and licorice-scented leaves (which are actually a good TP substitute, the guide said), try a pepper fruit of some sort, hoot at some motmot birds, and play with bugs. All in the name of science! It was a dream come true for a little kid trapped in a big kid's body, and a fabulous 10K walk, all in all, despite the biting insects, heat, and 100% humidity. Thank god for bug spray today. There isn't enough caladryl in the world for the bites I recieved the past two days...

Also, the cacao plantation was interesting and delicious and a select few of you may be recieving all organic, homemade chocolate bars in various exotic flavors. Commence the salivating.