Jesus Lizard

This morning's early start was for a two hour guided stroll (too hot and humid for anything brisker) through the Sarapiqui rain forest.

We hadn't gone far (OK, we were still in the grounds of the Lodge when our guide spotted this Green Basilisk Lizard, known as the Jesus Lizard for its ability to walk on water as featured, if I recall correctly , on one of the Planet Earth programmes.

We saw all manner of creatures, including one very small but brightly coloured bird with a very loud call, who was putting on an impressive courtship dance in a little clearing that he had cleared of leaves and debris for the performance. Name escapes me unfortunately.

After lunch, we set off for our next port of call. On the way, our driver asked if we wanted to see some big iguanas which were basking in the trees beside a river crossed by a very busy road bridge which gave a perfect (if potentially life-threatening for the absorbed photographer who dared to take a step back into the road!) vantage point. See extras.

On arrival in Arenal, we did some basking in the hotel's naturally volcanic hot pools, which just happened to have a swim-up bar.