Mr. Fopa

14/01/2018

13/01/2018

Montezuma is a small town in the southern part of Costa Rica’s Nicoya Peninsula. It’s well known for its long stretch of white-sand beach combined with jungle trails, waterfalls, natural pools and the Romelia Wildlife Reserve. ⠀
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What I loved the most in it, was its turtle sanctuary and hatchery. Here are 5 things I've learned while helping to release turtles in Montezuma. ⠀⠀
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1. Who's behind the turtle conservation project?⠀⠀⠀
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A self-managed and non-profit Costa Rican NGO called ASVO Costa Rica . ASVO is 25 years old and is dedicated to maintaining and preserving national parks, communities and beaches throughout Costa Rica.⠀
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2. How does the nesting starts?⠀⠀⠀
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Mostly (but not only) turtles to come for nesting are the Olive Ridley Sea Turtle. They usually migrate hundreds or even thousands of KM every year, and get together as a group once a year for a phenomenon called "arribada", when females return to the beaches where they hatched and lay their eggs.⠀
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3.Does the temperature influences their gender?⠀
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Yes, the temperature of the incubated eggs will determine the gender:⠀
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30°C / 86°F + = female⠀
28°C / 82°F or less = male⠀
Between 29°C / 84°F - 30°C / 86°F = mixed sex.⠀
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4. How do they get to the beach? And how many eggs they lay?⠀⠀
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They use the wind and the tide as a help to reach the beach. Usually females lay around 80 to 120 eggs, but may nest up to 3 times a year. Some studies from ASVO shows that the obstacles are so numerous for baby turtles that only about one in 1,000 survives to adulthood.⠀
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5.WHY such a low number?⠀⠀
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If they don’t make it to the ocean quickly, many hatchlings will die of dehydration in the sun or be caught by predators like crabs, raccoons, pigs, snakes, dogs and birds. Not to forget humans that hunt their eggs for eating.⠀
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Once in the water, they typically swim several Kilometers off shore, where they are caught in currents and seaweed that may carry them for years before returning to nearshore waters.⠀
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PS: The nesting season is from June to December.⠀
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If you would love saving a turtle life leave a comment with 🐢❤️ or ⠀
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Once again, thanks for reading .fopa

08/01/2018

The Suárez River is a river located just outside of San Gil in Colombia. And is also one of the best white water rivers in South America, what does "best" means? ⠀
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It means, its REALLY GREAT FOR RAFTING! Want to know why? ⠀
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Here are 5 things I've learned while rafting down the Suárez River in Colombia. ⠀
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1. Where does the name come from?⠀⠀
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The Suárez River is named after conquistador Gonzalo Suárez Rendón, after his horse drowned several times in the river when he experienced sudden flooding.The original name in Chibcha, given by the Guane (indigenous) was Saravita, meaning "departs from here".⠀⠀
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2. Today one things "departs from here" and it is pure adrenaline! ⠀
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The Suárez River is worldwide known for its really good rafting activities because it counts with really fast rapids and huge waves. The characteristics of its rapids and the volume of water makes this river one of the most exciting in Colombia to practice whitewater rafting and kayaking, with rapids class IV + V. This places is especially designed for people who love extreme sports .⠀
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3. How long is the river and what to expect while Rafting?⠀⠀
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The River is 172 kilometres (107 mi) and you should expect nothing more than having a great adrenaline kick, getting super wet and making a lot of friends. I have to confess that this was my first time rafting, but will for sure not be the last.⠀
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4. How was my experience and would I recommend it?⠀
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Absolutely YES! The guys from Colombia Rafting Expediciones looked after me and made sure we had, as they say, “Security first and then fun”. So if you are looking for a enjoyable, yet thrilling time on a crazy Colombian river, I would definitely recommend it!⠀
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5. Not convinced yet? Want to see some crazy Rafting?⠀
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Check my today's story, there you can see my point of view and get the kick to do the same, if you dare 😉 Muahaha! Just kidding, check it out, its really fun! ⠀⠀
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So now its over to you, tell me, would you have the courage to jump in the boat and paddle down the river?⠀
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SURE: 🚣⠀
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NOPE: 🛑⠀
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I wish you all a great beginning of the week and once again, thanks for reading Mr. Fopa

05/01/2018

Monteverde is located in the Cordillera de Tilarán, Costa Rica. An area that hosts the Monteverde, Santa Helena and Children’s Eternal Cloud Forests, which attracts scientists, bird watchers, and wildlife lovers from all parts of the world.⠀
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Although there are 3 cloud forest reserves in Monteverde, the most popular one is Monteverde Cloud Forest and this is the one I want to talk on this post. Here are 5 things I've learned that I want to share with you.⠀
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1. So let's talk Cloud Forests! But wait, what is a Cloud Forest?⠀
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As the name suggests, a Cloud Forest is a moist tropical forest that is characterized by persistent low-level cloud. In simple words, its rainy, wet and foggy, but hey, without that there is neither fauna nor flora right? 😉⠀
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2. Why the Monteverde Cloud Forest is so special?⠀
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Resting roughly at 1,400 metres (4,600 ft) above sea level, the forest is misty, humid, and windy, with a mean annual temperature of 18 °C (64 °F). Annual rainfall averages around 3,000 ml (118 in). Humidity oscillates between 74% and 97%.⠀
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3. What can I see there?⠀
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Inside the reserves you can explore the virgin forests and multi-century old strangler fig trees on your way to a viewpoint which sits on the continental divide. On a clear day you can see both the Caribbean and the Pacific coasts. ⠀
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4. Not convinced, wanna see some crazy numbers?⠀
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The reserve consists of over 10,500 hectares (26,000 acres) of cloud forest, having 6 ecological zones, 90% of which are virgin forest. ⠀
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An extremely high biodiversity, consisting of over 2,500 plant species, 100 species of mammals, 400 bird species, 120 reptilian and amphibian species, and thousands of insects. Mind blowing right?⠀
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5. What kinds of animals would you likely see?⠀
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Some of the more common animals are white-faced and howler monkeys, pacas, agoutis and coatis. Birds like Hummingbirds are plentiful and you can also spot the Three-Wattled Bellbird. But for me the most impressive bird is the Resplendent Quetzal.⠀
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So now its over to you, if you've read until here leave a comment below: or 🐦⠀
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I wish you all a great 2018 and once again, thanks for reading .fopa

02/01/2018

Tortuguero National Park is located Costa Rica. It is situated within the Tortuguero Conservation Area of the northeastern part of the country. Due to it's hard access it's reached only by airplane or boat. ⠀
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Here are 5 facts I've learned about the Park while visiting Costa Rica this year.⠀
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1. What does "Tortuguero" means?⠀
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Tortuguero, can be directly translated as "Land of Turtles".⠀
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2. When was the Park created?⠀
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It was established in 1975, by Archie Carr, a herpetologist who encouraged the protection of the endangered green turtles. Today, the park's beaches are key nesting ground for different endangered sea turtle species.⠀
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3. Why is this area so special?⠀
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The Park is 19,000 hectares (46,900 acres) big, and has a large variety of biological diversity due to the existence within the reserve of eleven different habitats, including rainforest, mangrove forests, swamps, beaches, and lagoons. ⠀
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4. How important for nesting the park is?⠀
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Tortuguero beach is the most important nesting site of the endangered green turtle in the Western Hemishpere. Giant leatherback, hawksbill, and loggerhead turtles also nest there. The green turtle population has come close to extinction in the 60s when nearly every female turtle arriving to nest in Tortuguero was taken for the turtle soup market.⠀
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Working closely with the Costa Rican government, the Caribbean Conservation Corporation (CCC) helped establish the park, that now protects over 22 miles (35 km) of nesting beach.⠀
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5. Want to know more about Turtle nesting?⠀
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Here it go, females of most species usually come ashore at night, alone, most often during high tide. A female sea turtle crawls above the high tide line and, using her front flippers, digs out a "body pit". Then using her hind flippers, she digs an egg cavity. ⠀
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A female deposits 50 to 200 (depending on the species) eggs into the egg cavity. The eggs are soft-shelled but do not break when they fall into the egg cavity.⠀
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It is in fact a lifetime experience!! So now it's over to you, tell me, have you ever had such experience? ⠀⠀⠀⠀
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YES: or 🥚⠀
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No: or 🎯⠀
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Thanks for reading .fopa

30/12/2017

The Great Wall of China is a series of fortifications made of stone, brick, earth, wood, and other materials, generally built alonga the historical northern borders of China to protect the Chinese states and empires against the raids and invasions of nomadic groups of the Eurasian Steppe.⠀
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Several walls were being built as early as the 7th century BC; these, later joined together and made bigger and stronger, are collectively referred to as the Great Wall.⠀
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Here are 10 short facts I've learned while visiting the Great Wall of China last Summer (Chinese). 1. How old the wall is?⠀
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The Great Wall is more than 2.300 years old.

2. How long the wall is?⠀
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Although the official number of the length of the Great Wall is 8851.8 km (5500 miles), the length of all the Great Wall built over thousands of years is estimated at 21,196.18 km (13,170 miles). Just FYI: The circumference of the Equator is 40,075 km (24,901 miles). 3. How many provinces the wall cuts trough?⠀
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It crosses 9 provinces and municipalities.

4. How long it took to be built?⠀
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Over 2,000 years, many imperial dynasties and kingdoms built, rebuilt, and extended walls many times that subsequently eroded. ⠀
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5. How many people died building it?⠀
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The Great Wall of China has been called the longest cemetery on Earth. Over a million people died building the Wall and archaeologists have found human remains buried under parts of the wall.

6. Who were those people?⠀
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In general they were soldiers, forcibly-recruited peasants (slaves), convicts and prisoners of war.

7. Is the wall really a one line wall?⠀
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Nope! In fact, there is not one wall, but many walls, in the plural.

8. How much of the wall is already gone?⠀
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Nearly 1/3 of the Great Wall has disappeared.

9. How wide the wall is?⠀
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Some places are wide enough to drive a car over it.

10. Can it really be seen from the moon?⠀
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Rumours that astronauts can see the Wall from the Moon with naked eyes aren't true, although many people still believing on it. ⠀
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So now it's over to you, tell me, do you believe its possible to see it from the moon? ⠀⠀⠀
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YES: or 🥔⠀
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No: or 💩

23/12/2017

This recently discovered (by tourism) bay is described by all who visit as ‘Paradise’ (including myself). Hiriketiya bay is with no doubts one of the most beautiful, untouched beach of South Sri Lanka. Far away from the traditional tourist zones, the bay feels like a remote place in which sometimes makes you feel like in a desert beach. ⠀
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Here are 3 things I've learned about Hiriketiya bay, while spending over a week there last year:⠀⠀
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1. First of all, how to get there:⠀
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Hiriketiya is a little bay east of Matara and east of the main Dickwella beaches. You can access the beach trough it's bumpy single-lane semi-paved road that run down from Tangalle Rd. The best deal is doing your way down to Dickwella downtown and from there negotiating a Tuk Tuk to bring you all the way to the beach, its not too far, but a but tricky to find at first.⠀
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2. In Hiriketiya Beeethoven's music means Bread?!?⠀
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Well, yes, haha not just in Hiriketiya but all over Sri Lanka, the sound of Beethoven’s means just one thing: bread.⠀
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This is because several times a day, a (quite) loud, electronic version of this music is played trough the speakers of small tuk tuks announcing that all kinds of Bakery goods has arrived. 🤷⠀
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3. Surf, Yoga and cow tanning (WUT?!):⠀
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This is the perfect place from surfers, yogis, swimmers, readers beach laying and even cows 🤔. Yeah cows, one of the funniest things I've seen in this little bay was a bunch of cows hanging out on the beach, as if they would be getting a tan or just "chatting" with their "friends".⠀
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Anyways, Hiriketiya got really good surf with couple places renting boards for a fair price. For the ones interested in Yoga there is also a place right in front of the beach that offer daily Yoga classes ✌️. All in all, the beach is quiet and really chill out, so if you are looking for party or more going on, I would think twice before heading there. 😉⠀
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So now it's over to you, tell me, what would you do while in this little paradise? ⠀⠀
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Yoga: or 🤸⠀⠀
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Surf: or 🏄🏼⠀
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Watch Cow tanning: or 🐮⠀
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Thanks for reading .fopa

21/12/2017

Of the 42 toucan species in Latin America, six are found in the lowlands and rainforests of Costa Rica. These flashy, colorful birds are among the most recognizable in Central America, thanks in part to their trademark bill. Despite its large size, the bill is surprisingly light, and enables the birds to thrust deep within tree holes in search of food. ⠀
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Here are 5 things I've learned about toucans (specifically the one on the picture, the Chestnut-mandibled Toucan) while visiting Costa Rica:⠀
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1. Where do they live?⠀
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They inhabit tropical lowland rainforests, but can also occupy gallery forests, plantations, parks or gardens with trees suitable for nesting, roosting and feeding. They tends to occupy the canopies of forests, but are also commonly seen flying among the clearings or semi-open areas among the trees.⠀
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2. Where can I find this little guy while visiting Costa Rica?⠀
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The easiest places to spot them is at the: Cahuita National Park, La Selva Biological Station, Turrialba Volcano National Park, Tortuguero National Park.⠀
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3. What do they usually eat?⠀
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Their diet is generally based on fruits, small reptiles, small amphibians, eggs and nestlings.⠀
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4. Despite their beauty, what else make them special?⠀
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This species is typically seen in pairs, or small groups, keeping among the dense foliage during the hottest parts of the day and getting active around sunset. The most interesting behaviors of this bird are its vocalizations. There are several sounds this bird makes. The most recognized call has to be the "keeyos taday taday" repeated at short intervals. This call has been described by locals as being "Dios te de, te de, te de," which is Spanish for "God keep you."⠀
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5. How long their Bill can be?⠀
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The large Chestnut-mandibled Toucans have massive, brightly marked bills that can grow up to 7.8 inches (~ 20 cm) long. 😂 ⠀
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So now it's over to you, tell me, do you thing that their bill size matters? (Sorry, I can't help myself)⠀
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Comment below using either the # or the emoji with your opinion. ⠀
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Yes: or 🔎⠀
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No: or 😒⠀
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Thanks for reading .fopa

19/12/2017

The Nine Arches Bridge is one of the most iconic bridges in Sri Lanka and is one of the best examples of British railway constructions when Ceylon was yet a colony of the British Empire. It is located in Demodara, between Ella and Demodara railway stations.⠀
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Here are 4 facts I've learned about the Nine Arches Bridge while visiting Sri Lanka last year. ⠀
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1. How was it built? When? and why? (I have so many questions!! 😰)⠀
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Ok, let’s do it step by step, this massive bridge was built entirely of solid rocks, bricks and cement without using a single piece of steel. Why? Because the bridge was being planned when the World War I broke out. So, the steel and metal materials destined to be used in the bridge were reassigned to be used for military purposes. The materials were then gathered in the form of rocks, bricks, and cement to make sure the bridge construction still went ahead. The bridge was delivered in 1921 and the purpose of its construction was the fill the gap between the valley. ⠀
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2. Why is it called Nine Arches Bridge?⠀
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When one stands underneath it and looks up there is a beautiful sight of ‘nine skies’ through the nine arches (9 spawns). This bridge is also called ‘The Bridge in the sky’ due to the sheer height.⠀
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3. How big in fact the bridge is?⠀
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Well, here are the numbers: The bridge as a total length of 300 ft (91.44m) and its width is about 25 ft (7.62m). But probably what makes this place very interesting is its height of 80 ft (24.38m).⠀ ⠀
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4. What time the train passes by?⠀
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This is a hard question, it's always depends, what I would recommend you to do is to hike up the Asanka Cafe, where you will get to talk to the owner. They will be able to give you the time with precision since they keep in touch with the train stations to know when the train is coming. There you will have the best view of the bridge.⠀
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Now it's over to you, tell me, what would you like to drink while enjoying this great view?⠀
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Fine Ceylon tea: or 🍵⠀
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Sri Lankan coffee: or ☕⠀
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Thanks for reading .fopa

17/12/2017

Costa Rica is a rugged, rainforested Central American country with coastlines on the Caribbean and Pacific. Well known for its beaches, volcanoes, and biodiversity, its also worth to mention that roughly a quarter of its area is made up of protected jungle.

But today, more than talking about Costa Rica itself, I want to talk about one of the most interesting creatures that lives here. The Sloths — here are 5 facts about Costa Rican sloths I’ve learned the last 2 weeks I’ve spent here.

1. How many kinds of Sloths exist in Costa Rica?

There are two types of sloth in Costa Rica; two-toed three-toed. You can tell the difference by counting the number of toes on the front feet. You can also see the difference on the smile, three-toed sloths generally look happier — as they would always always smiling.

2. Let‘s go to the real question, WHY ARE THEY SO SLOWLY?

In fact, being slow has helped sloths to survive on this planet for almost 64 million years. But in order to understand what it is that makes them so slow, we have to look at their biology. Sloths slow pace is due to their low calorie diet. Both kinds of sloths feed themselves mostly on leaves, what means that moving slowly saves energy and this is the only way they can keep up with their diet.

3.How long time do they sleep per day?

Up to 20 hours per day, and are so sedentary that green algae grows on their fur. The presence of algae helps them camouflage themselves in the trees.

4.How do Sloths evolve during the years?
Ancient ground sloths were some of the largest land mammals ever to walk the planet. They could weigh up to 4 metric tons and grow as big as modern day elephants.
5. Do you want to know a very funny fact about Sloths?
The truth is that Sloth p**p is a mystery. Thanks to their slow metabolism, they only p**p about once a week, and to do so they make a dangerous descent from the trees to the ground, where they are vulnerable to predators. 🤔

So now its over to you, if you've read until here leave a comment below: **p or 💩

Thanks for reading .fopa

16/12/2017

The Old City of Shanghai, also formerly known as the Chinese city, is the traditional urban core of Shanghai, China. Its boundary was formerly defined by a defensive wall. The Old City was the county seat for the old county of Shanghai.⠀
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Here are 3 things I've learned while visiting Shanghai last year (Chinese summer).⠀
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1. Why should I visit?⠀
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Well, I need a bit of context here. With the advent of foreign concessions in Shanghai, the Old City became just one part of Shanghai's urban core but continued for decades to be the seat of the Chinese authority in Shanghai. Notable features include the City God Temple which is located in the center of the Old City and is connected to the Yuyuan Garden. With the exception of two short sections, the walls were demolished in 1912, and a broad circular avenue built over the former wall.⠀
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2. One very interesting aspect is actually the fortification, and here I talk a bit more about it.⠀
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There may have been some sort of defensive works around the county seat of Shanghai from the 11th century. The city wall which survived until the 20th century and parts of which remain to this day was, however, built in 1554 during the Ming Dynasty, in order to protect the town from raids by Japanese pirates. It measured 10 metres (33 ft) high and 5 kilometres (3.1 mi) in circumference. Pretty impressive eh?⠀
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3. What about the recent history of the Old City?⠀
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The Old City walls were dismantled in 1912 by General Chen Qimei, then new Governor of Shanghai.Apart from two small preserved sections, the walls were demolished in 1912, and a broad circular avenue built in the place of the wall and moat. The northern half of the circular road was completed in 1913. To celebrate the founding of the Republic of China in 1912, and because the road formed the boundary between the Chinese city and the French Concession, the road was named the Boulevard des Deux Republiques (literally "Boulevard of the Two Republics"). ⠀
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Now its over to you, if you have read until here leave a comment with or ⛲ , I just want to know how many of you guys read my text until the end. Have a great week!!⠀
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Thanks for reading .fopa

24/11/2017

Sigiriya is an ancient rock fortress located in the northern Matale District near the town of Dambulla in the Central Province, Sri Lanka. The name refers to a site of historical and archaeological significance that is dominated by a massive column of rock nearly 200 metres (660 ft) high.

Here are 5 things I've learned about the Sigiriya while vising it last year.

1. What does "Sigiriya" means and why is it special?

Sigiriya means "The Lion Rock" and is quite literally a large rock with a lion carved into it. But more impressive than that, is the fact that there is an ancient kingdom on top of it. 😮

2. So now you are probably asking yourself - "Who built this kingdom and why?". Well, here we go:

The kingdom was built by King Kasyapa who ruled from 477 to 495 CE. He choose this as his royal residence as he was worried of potential attacks from his brother Moggallana. From atop of Sigiriya he had unobstructed views of the surrounding area. Pretty smart eh? 🤔

3. Interesting guy right? Here is crazy fact about him. 💢

King Kasyapa’s life and rule was full of controversy. He was born to a non-royal concubine and had no right to the throne. Consequently he rebelled against his king father Dhatusena, imprisoning him and eventually having him killed, entombing him in a wall.

4. Is that worth visiting? 🛩️

Definitely! Considered one of the best examples of ancient urban planning, the site of Sigiriya became an UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1982.

5. How big is the rock and how long it takes to get up there? 🕵️

The rock is 200 metres (656 ft.) high and visitors can walk the 1,200 steps, divided amongst a number of staircases, to the top.

Now its over to you, tell me, leave a comment below answering if you would take the change and climb up those 1,200 steps to check the kingdom out?

Hell yeah: or 🇱🇰

No way, I would rather wait they build a lift: or 🏗️

Thanks for reading Mr. Fopa