News   Elvin de Regt (Netherlands: Zeeland) 05 May 2009 At the project from 01 August 2006 till 31 December 2006 Hello, I was also in the project from August untill December 2006 to do a traineeship for my studies. (cool to see your testemonial Sasha!!). Really, the place is still the most fairy-tale like place I have ever lived. I often dream about going back there! I particulairly remember how I loved to walk on the beaches there, where you won't find a soul for hours. Great work to keep the project going so smoothly!!! Peace, Elvin de Regt, Zeeland, Netherlands Jake Talley (Amerika: Illinois) 03 January 2009 At the project from 19 June 2008 till 21 July 2008 La Tortuga Feliz was everything I hope it would be and more! The beach and surrounding area are beautiful, the site is well kept and safe, and the local people are friendly and fun. I found all the work, though difficult at times, to be very fulfilling, especially when you got to interact with the turtles. There was always something to do, whether it be playing soccer on the beach with locals, helping out with chores around the site, swimming in the ocean, playing card games, getting to know other volunteers, or just laying out in the sun reading a book. the heat, humidity, and mosquitoes are not even close to as bad as I expected, they are much worse here at home in Illinois. I was bitten by spiders a few times but I will take the blame for that myself, I never bothered to check my bed or use a net. The work can be tiring at times but you always have other volunteers there to help you out and its worth for the chance to see the turtles which are amazing! I wouldn't trade my experiance there for anything. I met people from all over the world and developed friendships I never would have had the chance to, got to experiance a different way of living that I grew to love very quickly, and saw hundreds of baby turtles and some huge adult turtles. I hope I can get back one day soon. Have any questions on what to bring or what its like, feel free to email me for more details, pictures, etc. Pura vida and viva las tortugas! Sasha Tagg (Australia: --) 05 February 2008 At the project from 01 August 2006 till 01 February 2007 Its about time that I commented on one of the most memorable, most eye opening, most educational, most beautiful times of my life. I came to La Tortuga Feliz in August 2006 and spent my first three months there, and then came back in January and then back in February 2007 to say goodbye... certainly not my last!! From walking the beaches by starlight, to watching the turtles give birth, waiting for those beautiful little creatures to emerge from their nests, helping to increase their chances of life is just an amazing experience. From cleaning out the old nests... and re- digging new nests, no matter what happened at La Tortuga Feliz, it all was helping to save this ancient animal. Not to mention that this place is utter paradise! Not just turtles, I don’t think I have ever seen such variety of animals, exploring the Laguna’s and creeks, such a beautiful little community, amazing people, all that will be forever in my heart. R.I.P Paul and Chris. This place made me realise that there is a pure life. A simple, beautiful, peaceful life. Pura Vida, Pure Life, and that’s exactly how it is. I can't begin to explain it, I can't begin to tell you how much I want to return, only a matter of time! What an amazing place. Sasha Marie Tagg- Australia See You There! Douwe de Haan (Netherlands: Dordrecht) 30 May 2007 At the project from 15 March 2007 till 05 May 2007 I have been 7 weeks at the project and had a wonderful time being there. Especially the hours I spent at night at the beach impressed me the most. Seeing the Leatherbacks in real life is fantastic!! The digging and laying was every time again impressive and they are such big prehistoric animals, HUGE! That’s why I intend to go back next year. The other work we did was working at the medical post and I hope that the locals may use it in there advantage. I hope that Paul will have lots off success with the projects at Pacuare Island. Craig Ainsley (England: London) 03 April 2007 At the project from 03 April 2006 till 17 April 2006 Two weeks at La Tortuga Feliz should be compulsory for humans. It’s the kind of place where you have moments, the kind of place where you strain your arm carrying 102 turtle eggs along the beach at 4am. It’s also the kind of place you promise yourself you’ll return to. And although it was just two weeks of my life I miss it. I miss the alarm calls of the howler monkeys at 6am that scared the shit out of me on my first morning, I miss the community and the passion of Paul and his team, I miss the tranquil nights where I found myself changed from a student from London to a hatchery guardian on the edge of an island, off the edge of Costa Rica, and all I could hear was the ocean’s motor and all that was above was a canopy of stars and eternity. And digging a turtle nest with your hands is tough! How are their fins so dexterous? Waking up with sand in your hair, waking up in hammocks, learning Spanish, playing beach football, climbing trees to watch the sun set, cold showers and the freedom of bare feet. And I fucking hate mosquitoes. But food is fresh; I’ve never eaten so well! And now I sometimes wonder if any of those tiny eggs I helped carry have made it to the water, passed the crabs and poachers and sharks maybe there’s a turtle mooching about out there that was once an egg in my hand in the middle of the Caribbean night. La Tortuga Feliz kept a piece of me behind, and I remember with fondness a certain log on the beach, smoothed by the sea, where we’d sit at dusk after dinner. Dawn Morgan (England: Southampton) 17 March 2007 At the project from 13 January 2006 till 27 January 2006 We stayed at La Tortuga Feliz in January 2006 and had a wonderful time digging the new hatchery and painting the kitchen frog and the parrot on one of the huts and absorbing the beautiful wildlife and scenery of my favourite place on the earth- including the large bull shark we spotted just off the coast! John and myself fully intend on returning as soon as possible, preferably in laying season though as we missed out last time! We are so pleased with news of all the recent sucess and improvemnets to the project. keep up the good work Dawn Morgan, John O'Malley and Richard Berry Eva Staps (Netherlands: Breda) 10 March 2007 At the project from 27 March 2006 till 06 April 2006 My experience at Tortuga Feliz: Last year I went to Costa Rica to work as a volunteer at Tortuga Feliz. I really needed a "break out" from my live in the Netherlands. I was looking for some work as a volunteer that would give me some rest and that would contribute to a good "animal cause". Most of the organizations ask for a lot of money to work over there, money I didn't have. With "Joho" I found Tortuga Feliz! At the 25 of f March 2006 I went to Costa Rica. This was the first time I 'd travelled alone, and it was a big experience. After a few days in San Jose I arrived on the 27th at the project. My first impression; back to basic, exactly what I was looking for! The cabin I slept in was also basic, but very nice and cosy. I shared the cabin with 4 other people. The first 5 days of my stay at the project, I was not very lucky. It was raining the whole time and at night I didn’t saw a turtle, and that was of course what I really wanted. In spite of all, I enjoyed the rest during the day and really liked the walks at night. My first walk, I never forget!! It was (of course) raining, not comparable with the rain in Holland.... It was very cloudy, so dark, and I really didn't saw a thing. My guide was walking just in front of me, but I nearly could see him. After a few times I thought I lost him, I just grabbed his raincoat and didn't let him go for the whole time!! I really was impressed the first time I saw a turtle, so big! But it was not alone, there was a poacher standing in front of him. My guide stayed very cool and even talked with him a few words. The poacher found the turtle at first so we had to go, that's the rule at the beach. A little while later we saw another turtle, she was busy making a hole for her eggs. It's beautiful to she her doing that, so carefully, it touched me. We stayed the whole time and after she finished we 'd carried her eggs to the hatchery. That night I saw 5 turtles! Almost every morning I 'd take a swim in the sea, I liked helping around in the kitchen, taking a walk or lay down in the sun. You don't have to get bored. The 6th of April I left the project because I wanted to see more of Costa Rica. Something you really have to do before you go home again! All embracing: a great experience! Gulita Ginsel (Netherlands: Lisse) 26 February 2007 At the project from 27 March 2005 till 23 May 2005 Hello volunteers. I was at the project 3 times in 3 months team in 2005. I started at 27 March for two weeks and after a short period of getting used to a total different live, I enjoyed the work, the stay, the company of the other volunteers, and the kindness and Spanish speaking with the guides very much. Pura Vida. But most of all I was totally impressed by seeing the leatherback turtle, while patrolling on the beach at night. Wow, what an amazing animal. When you are walking on the beach late at night, tired from the heavy sand, walking against wood or coconuts, sometimes even wet feet because of the fickle sea or the tropical rains, you know that everything is worth it because you have the privilege to observe the tortuga and be able to contribute to it's existence. Also at daytime I enjoyed the stay very much, playing games, helping out in the kitchen, sunbathing, swimming, driving over the river, making necklaces etc, but also cleaning the beach, making the hatchery. Unfortunately the first year didn't deliver a lot of tortugita's, but it is good to read that the project is doing very well now! After the project I went travelling through Costa Rica, but I came back two times just to experience it all over again. La Tortuga Feliz has a special place in my memories and I am very glad that I have been a part of it (or still am as I still enjoy the new updates from Paul). Hereby I want to thank all the volunteers and guides, but especially Paul, Fulvio and Moncho, for my unique experience! Georg Stoll (Germany: Lorch-Weitmars) 25 February 2007 At the project from 24 August 2006 till 11 September 2006 Not even three weeks at the project, but what an experience! On the day of my arrival I did the shift from midnight till 4, patrolling the beach together with Chico and Kate (hello Kate). We had two turtles this night, carrying about 200 eggs all the way back to the hatchery was pretty hard (later I got used to it). Accompanying the first turtle back to the sea and say goodbye with a last clap was like a glimpse of eternity. On one of my hatchery shifts I had a nest with 64 young turtles. What a sight! Taking them out of the nest, counting, measuring and releasing them at the beach, watching them run into the sae, overwhelming! I did all kind of work from patrolling the beach at night, taking care of the hatchery, taking sand to the medical post till helping Patricia in the kitchen (preparing foods an cleaning pots). I liked it all. I really enjoyed the simple life and most of all the local food (Blanca y Patricia, muchas gracias). It was great to be among people from all over the world, but just as much or even more, I enjoyed the contact with the local people. Fortunately I do speak some Spanish, the local guides don’t speak English. I’m almost sure to make it back some day, with a much better Spanish then, I hope. Hello Paul, thank you for making such a project possible. Muchas gracias a todas las gente de Tortuga Feliz. If you have any questions or if you want to get in contact, just email me at: georg-stoll@t-online.de Marius Zweedijk (Netherlands: Utrecht) 21 February 2007 At the project from 30 November 2004 till 11 December 2004 Hey "Tortugeers". I was at La Tortuga Feliz for a little bit more than ten days in 2004. I haven't seen any turtle because it wasn't turtle season, but we had a great time anyway. Together with my girlfriend we where the first guests to sleep in the second new cabin that was built by Paul Lepoutre, Fulvio (the carpenter and Paul's "right hand"), the villagers and volunteers like Hugo (who was already there for six weeks) and Pascal. I was fascinated how relaxed and well organised everything was. I helped with building some houses for new volunteers and eco-tourists (or at least I looked how others built the house and helped with carrying some wood while big black ants were eating me alive), I went fishing together with the local neighbour Hernan (while he was catching all the fish I was loosing my bate to the crabs) and played soccer on the beach (ooh that hurts!). At night we improved our domino-skills on the veranda. I loved the food Bianca made for us three times a day and talking with everybody while drinking the best Costa Rican coffee, a cold beer (cooled by Juan's diesel powered generator) or "CaciQue". It's great to read the stories on this webpage, about how much has been done the last two years to help saving turtles and improving the life at the Costa Rican coast. Especially the work that has been done to build the hatcheries and the medical station is amazing. For more of my photo's see www.zweedijk.tk Kees-Jan Vermeulen (Netherlands: Wageningen) 17 February 2007 At the project from 27 November 2006 till 14 December 2006 In the middle of nowhere I found a beautiful place with peace en quiet. Monkey clime in the trees, bird fly over and crocodiles swim the river. The beach is black, beautiful and rough. The turtles endearing. For me it was a perfect two and a half weeks to relax and do something useful with my time. Different people from different places with different views to life. Books, Geneva, talks and hammocks were the most important activities beside of course the protection of the turtles. I loved being on an island with no phone, hardly any electricity, no cars (except for the annoying tractor of the coconut man (ask the dogs), the bar a boat ride away. I did not even mind the mosquito’s or the spider that fell in my short while sitting on the toilet. I just enjoyed myself. I will be back, someday. Manuela Pawletta (Germany: Ludwigshafen) 05 February 2007 At the project from 04 December 2006 till 15 January 2007 At the project in the Off-season! I arrived on the 4th of December at the project and I was there for 6 weeks. At my arriving-day the last few baby-turtle hatched and after this nest the season was over. So what to do at the project now? There are a lot of things to do! For example "beach-cleaning", "sandbag-filling for the new hatchery", "making a fence for the horses", "helping by building a new medical station" etc. I was a bit sad, that I saw just on my first day some baby turtles and then for the rest of my staying-time no more turtles. You can not see them from December to the middle of February! But I think for me it was a great time to stay there in the off-season, because most of the time we were just 7 to 10 people at the project. So there was a good atmosphere (a bit like a family). I heard that in the High-season there are sometimes up to 30 volunteers....I really enjoyed my 6 weeks at the project. We read a lot of books, I learned a lot of new card- games, we were kayaking and we had great meals (Blanca is a perfect cook). Christine Strong (Scotland: Edinburgh) 03 February 2007 At the project from 20 July 2006 till 17 August 2006 I decided to go to volunteer with the La Tortuga Feliz project after reading about them on a website called Ecoteer. I study Ecotourism so wanted to do something to get experience of conservation work in a rural location and to improve my Spanish. One of the first things you notice about the project is the isolation of it. There are no shops, no bars, no cars and you really are in the jungle. It can be amazing how quickly you adapt to the routine of night patrols, hatchery shifts, the insects, cold showers and the healthy diet of rice and beans. Facilities are quite basic and if you don't like insects then this may not be the project for you as you will be getting close to the local wildlife which includes spiders. As well as turtles you may also see monkeys, sloth’s (see photo) butterflies, birds and lizards. My time at the project was during the wet season when the green turtles were coming up the beach to lay eggs and the leatherback babies were hatching out. I was lucky to see quite a few green turtles on the night patrols and there were plenty of leatherback babies hatching out too. August can be a peak month for poaching so some nights I was on horseback patrol of the beach. It might sound easier than walking on foot but it's a different story when you are out there in the middle of a storm. The guides are excellent and it does help if you can speak some Spanish as sometimes it might just be you and the guide patrolling for 4 or 5 hours. Walking and carrying eggs can be tiring especially when the humidity is high so bring good walking shoes or trainers. I would certainly recommend the project if you want to do something different that gets you close to nature. You will learn a lot about the local environment and especially the turtles from Paul and the local guides. You will also get to meet like minded volunteers from all over the world. If anyone wants to contact me with specific questions before they go they can email me at: christine_strong@hotmail.com Cheers, Christine Sia Lugtenburg-Moeke (Netherlands: 't Harde) 29 January 2007 At the project from 04 September 2006 till 28 September 2006 I stayed for 3 and a half week at the project in September 2006. Meeting people from different countries was amazing. In spite of I wasn’t young and the eldest [66] of the volunteers, everyone accept you in the group So your age is not important!!!!! However I am not a very good walker, I only like cycling. And walking on the beach together with a local guide, looking for turtles during four hours, was very tiring for me. But after a talk with Paul, that problem was solved and after that I spend my working-hours at the hatchery and sometimes in the kitchen. But so I didn’t see big turtles. But fortunately later on I saw them on the Pacific Coast in Nicaragua. And I was lucky to see them in the afternoon. And so I could make pictures of turtles laying eggs. For it is forbidden to flash in the dark. If you have the possibility to learn Spanish Do It!!!!! Then you can talk with the locals specially during the night-beach-walk. There is a library (with a lot of foreign books), so you can read a lot. And local people often bring fruit from their own garden for the volunteers. And everybody likes playing cards!!!! So you can have a nice holiday without T.V. and noisy cars, only the murmur of the sea and early in the morning howling monkeys. Have a nice time!!! Pim Jörg (Netherlands: Den Haag) 12 January 2007 At the project from 14 February 2005 till 01 March 2005 I've been to La Tortuga Feliz in February 2005 and it was an incredible experience. Though I didn't see a single turtle on the beach or a single turtle crawling out of an egg and though I dug the hatchery for two weeks, I had a wonderful time. I've been touring at night in a small boat on the little creeks of the little 'Amazon' in the backyard. It's amazing tot see little red alligator-eyes above the water at night and hear all the jungle-noises while it's very dark. I've met a lot of people from many countries and it's very nice to see that everybody can have a very nice time together, along with the local people. It's also very nice to experience life in a place that's about an hour by boat from the nearest town, without TV, Internet and all that. It's also a very special experience to sit on a beach where there's absolutely no one else when you watch left or right. I could tell so much more, but I'll leave some to experience on your own. And for all the people who like to lose some weight... go! Being there is by far the best and most fun diet I ever had ;-) . I lost about 10 kilo's in two weeks. Esther ten Bokum (Netherlands: Nijmegen) 06 January 2007 At the project from 13 July 2006 till 10 August 2006 I stayed at the project for four weeks. Although it rained a lot when I arrived, the volunteers gave me and the other new volunteers a warm welcome. You'll get a lot of information immediately, about the hatchery, the forms, the shifts... It seems to be very difficult, but after a few days you'll realize that it's not that bad at all. After a really busy year, it was quite a change to be at the island. What a rest! It's nice that the project is located in the middle of the nature, you'll see no cars and you'll find no stores or busy bars and you'll have to use your flashlight a lot. The work doesn't feel like work at all, and it is just for 4 hours a day. Further you can do whatever you want. It's pleasant if you can speak some Spanish. I couldn't speak Spanish at all, and most of the locals know only a few words of English. Although my beach vocabulary is okay now, it was sometimes hard to communicate when you're walking and you can hardly see each other because it is dark. But most of the time it was funny too, when people are drawing things in the sand to make something clear. I had a really good time and I met so many nice people. It's a unique opportunity to learn a lot about the Costa Rican culture (the locals are very friendly), to meet people from all over the world, to see some beautiful nature, to relax and ( most important ;) ): save turtles. Jeal Cox (Belgium: Gent) 01 January 2007 At the project from 04 September 2006 till 21 September 2006 I stayed at the project for two weeks and a half. As I came from a stressful and workaholic place, I wasn't used of doing 'nothing' all day on vacation so that was for me the biggest adaptation. And I did well... I practically never got bored. You have to be well aware that besides nature, juicy books and exiting card games, there is nothing else to do. To me this project made me feel good because it kinda forced me to be 'lazy' (Even the working shifts didn't felt like 'working')or at least to entertain myself with simple things. And that is a very good and healthy way to enjoy life. So if you like to change your lifestyle just for a moment and do something good for the world, then this is a nice way to do it ( I think). :) A girl from Belgium who thought the turtles were very very cute! Jeal Jeffeny Hoogervorst (Netherlands: Bergeijk) 08 December 2006 At the project from 19 September 2006 till 01 October 2006 Hi there, Only two weeks, a bit short but I did not have more time. My first shift was heavy, just coming from San Jose and walk late in the evening. I remember that the days went fast, really fast. But it was a great time. Meeting people from different countries. The contact with the locals, although it might be smart to learn some Spanish words in advantage. I did not speak Spanish at all! It is hampering your contact with the locals. Thanks to Robert for trying to learn me some Spanish! Doing the horse shift's was great. I never ride a horse before so it was really nice! One shift the horse would not listen to me and was just doing it's own sense. Probably I was too nice for the horse. When I came at home I noticed that I had lost 5 kilo's (in two weeks!). It must be the result of the walking on the beach and the healthy food. Sebastiaan, a good friend of mine was picking me up from the airport in Amsterdam. It was only two weeks, but I had get used entirely daily for living in the Netherlands. Looking back my stay at the project, I only have one thing to say: I had a really nice time there! Questions just email me at: jeffeny@latortugafeliz.org. Saskia Klitsie (Netherlands: Haarlem) 21 November 2006 At the project from 13 August 2006 till 13 October 2006 Dear people, I have the honour to write the very first web log. My name is Saskia Klitsie from Holland and I stayed at La Tortuga Feliz from August 13 for about two months. Now I'm back in Holland and I miss the project and the people!! In de last two months I have done every shift there is: patrols on the beach, horse riding, hatchery all 24 hours, in different shifts of course and kitchen. And I loved all of it. The things I will remember is first of all my first shift because this was a 12 o'clock walk. Afterwards I thought, /I want to go back to Holland!!/..... but I stayed and my first words at Schipholairport on the 16 of October to my mother were /I want to go back/. Things can definitely change!! Pura Vida!! Other things I will remember is the force and /tranquillo/ that the turtles have, the hatching of more than 1000 baby turtles in one night, the card game /Geneva/ (you will learn this at the project), the other volunteers (some more than others, because I think I have made some friends all over the world), the respect to the locals and in return the respect you get, the nice weather and temperature (it is much, much to cold back home). I know that I will be back for the Leatherback season. Not next year, but soon. Some advice to you. Bring with you an alarm!! Waking up at 1:30am without it is very difficult and please keep an open mind then you will get the most of it. If you have any questions just email me at: saskia@latortugafeliz.org.

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