In the early morning, National Geographic Quest arrived in the northern section of the Gulf of Nicoya in the province of Guanacaste. We visited the magnificent Curú Wildlife Refuge. The refuge is privately owned but has a status of protection that prevents even the owners from cutting down trees in the forest. The refuge has been a regular destination on our itineraries for more than 25 years, and for good reason. Not only is the forest beautiful and a good example of a dry forest, but it is also a fantastic place to see wildlife. As always, it didn’t disappoint today! Our guests had great views of monkeys, coatis, agoutis, and many beautiful tropical birds, such as the colorful scarlet macaw. A perfect ending for a perfect trip!
- Daily Expedition Reports
- 25 Nov 2022
Curú Wildlife Refuge, 11/25/2022, National Geographic Quest
- Aboard the National Geographic Quest
- Indonesia & Papua New Guinea
Share Report
Exploring Indonesia: Bali, Raja Ampat and Papua New Guinea
VIEW ITINERARYRelated Reports
5/24/2024
Read
National Geographic Orion
Komodo, Lesser Sunda
After cruising during the night from Flores, we arrived right after sunrise at Komodo. The topography we saw from National Geographic Orion was comprised of a mixture of savanna and dry forest. It just increased our desire to disembark and explore the Komodo National Park. Once we disembarked, we divided into groups. Some of our guests went on a long hike, while the rest explored the park. Both hikes gave our guests the opportunity to see the Komodo dragons in their natural habitat. Our naturalists and local guides also spotted different species of birds. Back on board, we repositioned to a nearby oasis known as Pink Beach, where we had our afternoon activities. Some of our guests went diving while others went snorkeling. They all had a spectacular time enjoying the underwater world. It was another great day of exploration!
5/23/2024
Read
National Geographic Orion
Flores Island, Indonesia
The day began with an enthusiastic welcome on the dock in Maumere, the main town in this region. Then we visited the market and museum in a fleet of brightly decorated mini buses. We passed the afternoon in the village of Liangawo, a first visit for National Geographic Orion . What a place! Men on horseback rode ahead of our buses, and then we had a welcome ceremony and parade into the seating area. We heard different styles of music, tried betel nut and palm wine, watched various dances (including the plowing of a field), and marveled at the expertise required to spin cotton, dye it, and weave it. This region is known for its gorgeous and natural woven fabrics. Between us, we purchased many pieces from the local weavers.