Isla
Medidor was an interesting but creepy place in an evil scientist sort
of way. We nicknamed it the Island of Dr. Moreau. There
actually were a few scientists running around the under-construction
island associated with Liquid Jungle Labs.Well, we went ashore not figuring to get very far before being asked to leave, but we actually made it to the very top of the island where a large and impressive structure was being built. The head of construction stopped us and asked if we were scientists to which we replied, 'This is a very impressive structure.' He expounded a little on the construction then asked us to wait a few minutes until the crew broke for lunch before we explored the site and also to be careful. Woohoo!! Permission to explore!
We waited to the side of the site anxiously anticipating lunch hour. Just before the designated hour a man, let's just call him Mean Man, arrived on an ATV. He asked if we were from the sailboats to which we replied, 'Yes. I mean no! We are scientists!' Well, he saw through our little lie and told us, 'The owner does not want you here. Leave now.' Drat!
Left: A view of Terra Firma and Slip Away from the trail to the top of the Island of Dr. Moreau.
Below Left: Construction workers carrying bags of black sand up to the monorail station. A monorail was used to transport the construction materials and top-seeded female tennis pros (more on that below) to the top of the island.
Below Right: The construction site at the top of the island. Maybe we should have worn pocket protectors and interjected 'PV=nrT' and the quadratic equation every here and there, then Mean Man might have believed we were scientists!
That
evening the owner, a top-seeded female tennis pro and a bevy of helpers
arrived on a cross between a luxury yacht and research vessel, which
was probably pretty close to what it was.We caught a glimpse of the owner and top-seeded female tennis pro as they were ferried from the yacht/research vessel to the island in order to check the progress of construction.
Well, Pat is pretty sure the woman was one of the Williams sisters. She was over 6' tall, darkly complected and dressed in very fine, very tight clothes. Not the least notable being the knee-high, zip-up, leather boots. Perfect for a beach landing in a dinghy!
Once safe and dry on the island, the owner hopped on an ATV and the top-seeded female tennis pro was ushered to the monorail. Keep in mind, this is nothing like the monorail at Disney World. No air-conditioning, no seats, no roof and no sides for that matter. Maybe she was served champagne so she wouldn't feel so much like a bag of sand.
Below Left: Roads for the ATV's wound through the jungle on the island.
Below Right: A construction worker unloading bags of sand from the monorail.
As
far as we know, we departed Isla Medidor without having undergone any
scientific testing or alteration ourselves. Well ... we are
pretty sure. It is still difficult to explain the craving for
lightly salted grubs ....Next stop was Bahia Honda where we were greeted by the very friendly Domingo. Domingo was the man in charge of the finca (large farm) in the area. He came to the boat with fresh fruit, cilantro and hot and sweet peppers and gladly exchanged them for clothing, school supplies and canned goods.
Left: Domingo with a bunch of super-yummy bananas.
Below Left: Domingo's son, Kennedy, visited our boat with his wife and daughter. He was fascinated with the sailboat and the sails in particular.
Below Right: A local boy with an iguana. Not sure if the iguana was made into dinner or sold to a pet store.
