Gandoca 🐢 Project

So I am writing in Spanish for my lovely colleagues who speak Spanish. We were allowed to spend seven wonderful days in Gandoca on a very nice farm. We met good and funny friends. We learned a lot about the animals and plants here in Costa Rica. What I will take to Switzerland is the open and cheerful attitude of the people here in Costa Rica.

Pura vida ❤️

I went from Panama with the boss and then crossed the border to Costa Rica. It was the most uncomplicated journey we have ever had. The pre-migration to Costa Rica only required knowing the profession and it was already stamped in the passport. 👮🏻‍♂️No scanning of luggage or searching with a dog, neither long waiting nor asking for a departure ticket or how much money you have... 🤔💵 A very relaxed first impression of Costa Rica. 🇨🇷👏🏻😜

I wanted to do something for the animals here during our trip. A colleague gave me the address in Gandoca. We spent 7 days here on a farm that protects sea turtles. 🐢 The family here is very hospitable and we have been able to enjoy their food and accommodation. Their two sons were our guides who explained and showed us everything.

There were 5 students here in the beginning who came to support the project from the university and later one from Italy joined as well. 👍🏻😃 We were able to see and observe many animals, such as monkeys, raccoons, toucans, hummingbirds, caimans, crabs, many different birds, spiders, snakes, and many more...🦎🦋🦗🕷🐍🙈 In addition, we visited their plantation. There are lots of bananas, pineapples, cocoa, coconuts, and many fruits that we have never seen or eaten before. 👍🏻😊

Our daily program looked something like this:

In the morning, we went to collect fallen trees or plant trees on the beach. The trees protect other plants from erosion by the sea and provide good nutrients for the vegetation. 🌱🌴🌿

In the afternoon, we cleared away washed-up wood, coconuts, and palm fronds to provide enough space for the turtles to lay their eggs. 🐢

In the late evening, we walked along the beach and checked if there were any turtle nests. 🐢

Yes, it was quite exhausting... 😅 There are a few important rules to follow when going out in the evening... 🤔

For example, no lights are allowed because they could disturb or scare the turtles. Only dark clothes should be worn and no noise or talking loudly. 🙊 Running on the beach is also very exhausting because you sink into the sand with every step and your shoes get filled with sand. 👟🙈

We usually walked about two to three hours on the beach, in the dark, carefully, looking out for washed-up objects, and sometimes getting surprised by a wave. 🌊🚶‍♀️🚶🏻‍♂️🙊🙈

We didn't find anything in the first two nights, but we slept well after the hike. 😴😉

When we set out on the third night, the world's largest species of sea turtle, the Baula, crawled onto the land. 🏝🐢🌊

Wow... we were so lucky to witness this. 🐢👏🏻😍 We could observe it in the moonlight as it dug a big hole with its hind flippers and laid its 102 eggs. 🌙 It took about an hour. 🤗

During that time, some people came running with lights. We had to explain to them that they should continue without lights so they wouldn't disturb the turtle. 😤

The Baula then covered the hole with its back flippers and gently covered it with sand. All in slow motion... 😜

Afterward, it made its way back to the sea. 🌊 We dug out the eggs with the guide. Yes, just like Easter eggs. 🐰😜 The problem was that she didn't hide the eggs very well and they were too close to the sea. 🤔🙈

We buried the eggs in a safe place and covered the hole well. This way, the little ones wouldn't be found in the next 50 days until they hatch. It is forbidden to take the eggs here, but unfortunately, there are people who dig up the eggs, sell them, and get $1 per egg. 😠 Yes, and a turtle like this 🐢 can lay up to 100 eggs, which means there's quite a bit of money involved. 😏 Since this all happens in a remote area and the police here have other problems to deal with, it's not easy to stop it. 😔 That's why they rely on the help of volunteers. 🙏🏻

The guide will check in after 50 days to make sure they can safely go back to the sea. 🌊🐢🌴

To be able to experience something like this and contribute a small part to it gives you a wonderful feeling in your heart. ❤️

Now we just need 102 names for the little ones 🐢 that will hatch in 50 days... 🤔😜😂