[cs_content][cs_section parallax=”false” separator_top_type=”none” separator_top_height=”50px” separator_top_angle_point=”50″ separator_bottom_type=”none” separator_bottom_height=”50px” separator_bottom_angle_point=”50″ style=”margin: 0px;padding: 45px 0px;”][cs_row inner_container=”true” marginless_columns=”false” style=”margin: 0px auto;padding: 0px;”][cs_column fade=”false” fade_animation=”in” fade_animation_offset=”45px” fade_duration=”750″ type=”1/1″ style=”padding: 0px;”][cs_text]I’m just over half way through my stay on Isla del Coco. Before I came to the island I really was not sure what to expect, other than great diving!

Being given this amazing opportunity I wanted to make the most of every moment. Doing everything I could, helping in anyway and learning as much as possible. In reality, everything has really been better than I could of ever hoped! 

[/cs_text][/cs_column][/cs_row][cs_row inner_container=”true” marginless_columns=”false” style=”margin: 0px auto;padding: 0px;”][cs_column fade=”false” fade_animation=”in” fade_animation_offset=”45px” fade_duration=”750″ type=”1/2″ style=”padding: 0px;”][x_image type=”rounded” src=”https://www.goprocostarica.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/IMG_0778.jpg” alt=”” link=”false” href=”#” title=”” target=”” info=”none” info_place=”top” info_trigger=”hover” info_content=””][x_image type=”rounded” src=”https://www.goprocostarica.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/IMG_0776.jpg” alt=”” link=”false” href=”#” title=”” target=”” info=”none” info_place=”top” info_trigger=”hover” info_content=””][/cs_column][cs_column fade=”false” fade_animation=”in” fade_animation_offset=”45px” fade_duration=”750″ type=”1/2″ style=”padding: 0px;”][cs_text]This week, I have been diving everyday. I’ve has the amazing opportunity to help on a investigation between PNIC (Parque Nacional Isla del Coco) and the Charles Darwin Foundation in the the Galapagos. Two scientists came from Ecuador for a weeks study searching for invasive marine species that are found  in the waters of PNIC. They were looking to see if there was any connectivity with invasive species in the Galapagos only 600 miles away. We found several invasive species like the Crown of Thorns starfish, various soft corals and algae. Introduction could of been natural or by arriving on boat hulls etc. It was a really interesting study and great to learn so much more about the fragile marine environment. Plus got to do some amazing diving![/cs_text][/cs_column][/cs_row][cs_row inner_container=”true” marginless_columns=”false” style=”margin: 0px auto;padding: 0px;”][cs_column fade=”false” fade_animation=”in” fade_animation_offset=”45px” fade_duration=”750″ type=”1/1″ style=”padding: 0px;”][cs_text]It’s also been great to get to know the Park Rangers better, they are so friendly and helpful. They are truly dedicated to their work here to preserve the Island and marine life. They are incredibly knowledgeable about all the species of plant and animal, it’s been a honor to learn from them.

I’ve had plenty of time to reflect, and on Isla del Coco I have mainly been “Living in the Moment”. I find at home I am often making lists of things to do and planning this and that; work deadlines, groceries, what’s for dinner; as we all do. But here on this remote Pacific Island all of that is taken away. I have found that often, I don’t know what I am doing until I am actually doing it! Some might think that is a bad thing, but it’s been a wonderful experience. All I need to think about is what I am doing right now at this very moment, the past and future are not worth worrying about. It’s a really liberating feeling and I am grateful for this unique experience, I hope to take some of what I have learnt here home with me.

Let’s see what the next week brings![/cs_text][/cs_column][/cs_row][cs_row inner_container=”true” marginless_columns=”false” style=”margin: 0px auto;padding: 0px;”][cs_column fade=”false” fade_animation=”in” fade_animation_offset=”45px” fade_duration=”750″ type=”1/3″ style=”padding: 0px;”][x_image type=”rounded” src=”https://www.goprocostarica.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/IMG_0777.jpg” alt=”ready to investigate” link=”false” href=”#” title=”” target=”” info=”none” info_place=”top” info_trigger=”hover” info_content=””][/cs_column][cs_column fade=”false” fade_animation=”in” fade_animation_offset=”45px” fade_duration=”750″ type=”1/3″ style=”padding: 0px;”][x_image type=”rounded” src=”https://www.goprocostarica.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/IMG_0802.jpg” alt=”ready for marine conservation studies” link=”false” href=”#” title=”” target=”” info=”none” info_place=”top” info_trigger=”hover” info_content=””][/cs_column][cs_column fade=”false” fade_animation=”in” fade_animation_offset=”45px” fade_duration=”750″ type=”1/3″ style=”padding: 0px;”][x_image type=”rounded” src=”https://www.goprocostarica.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/IMG_0784.jpg” alt=”moorish idols in costa rica” link=”false” href=”#” title=”” target=”” info=”none” info_place=”top” info_trigger=”hover” info_content=””][/cs_column][/cs_row][/cs_section][/cs_content]