Costa Rica Osa Peninsula Expedition

SITREP 1 20 Nov

The Osa Peninsula expedition team, with members from Britain, America, Colombia, Australia, Canada and Costa Rica, has arrived in San Jose.

On 22nd November they will drive to the Osa Peninsula to aid the Ngabe people and refurbish a bridge built by the Scientific Exploration Society in 2015 in Corcovado Park. The timberwork has now rotted and is being replaced with recycled waste plastic planks which have been produced by the Costa Rican company Producol.

Engineers including two former Royal Engineers Colonels will work on the bridge and ot

her projects. A Costa Rican dentist is also treating the local people.

Colonel John Blashford-Snell, President of the Scientific Exploration Society, will lead the expedition. The work is due to be completed by 8 December. The venture is organised by Pioneer Expeditions Limited and supported by the Scientific Exploration Society.

Ends

SITREP 2 25 Nov

Expedition now deployed at both Ngabe Village of Aqua Rica and the bridge site at La Leona. Team at Aqua Rica have had some testing treks carrying out survey work and studying fauna and flora. Also visited local Shaman to learn of his work. Lessons In dental hygiene have been given to children by Sue Sharland  who has also distributed reading glasses.

On 28th November both teams will meet up at La Leona for work on the bridge, trail and wildlife surveys and help to local community. It is also intended to carry out turtle survey on the lengthy beaches of Corcovado park.  Weather is hot and humid but very little rain at present. Temperature 27°.

Ends.

SITREP 3 Dec 2

The expedition has been working on projects at La Leona since 28th November.  Surveys of various trails have been made by Tim Harrison and his team. Sarah Wood has been cataloguing the wildlife which is being photographed by Geoff and Brenda. There have been many sightings of giant ant eater, monkeys and other small mammals.

Walking in the jungle is quite tough and we have experienced some heavy rain.

At the local school Melissa, a local dentist has been working hard, assisted by Sue and Renata. We have also distributed reading glasses, schoolbooks, and rucksacks to the children.

Work on the bridge has gone well. Paul Lodge and Stewart Morehead helped by Mark Williams and others have almost completed the refurbishment of the bridge. It will be opened at a small ceremony on 6th December. T

Tony Cyr, medic has treated a local lady with a deep laceration that required stitches. The team are in good spirits and being well cared for at La Leona Lodge. Ends.

SITREP 4 7 Dec

On 6th December we opened the new Manzano Bridge. This has been built using recycled plastic made into planks. The project was carried out under the supervision of Paul Lodge and Stewart Morehead with expedition members and local Costa Ricans.  Local people have expressed much admiration. Teaching aids and rucksacks were given out at the local school.  We also ran a dental clinic.

Wildlife sightings continue, including turtles laying eggs on the beach. A Tamandua or giant ant eater walked up to me, looked me up and down and shuffled off into the jungle. The animals are extremely tame, and the bird life is prolific. Now we are at Luna Lodge, the legendary wellness centre, relaxing for a couple of days before moving back to San Jose. Tonight we shall celebrate with a Burns supper in honour of the Scottish poet. ENDS.