Casa Orquideas And Rincon River, Osa Peninsula, Costa Rica
Casa Orquideas is a botanical garden in the middle of nowhere. Its creators planted it some thirty years ago using mostly native plants that came from the surrounding forests as well as some introduced species which were brought by the banana company into the area over half a century ago. Before being transformed into a garden the property was a cocoa plantation. In the 1970’s 70% of Costa Rica’s cocoa trees were attacked by monilia, a fungus which dried the fruits before they mature. Some of the trees still survive in the midst of the garden.
Aside from enjoying the sight and scent of thousands of plants that fill the trails of the garden: heliconias, orchids, crotons, gingers, palms and bromeliads among many others, we had a chance to see so many plants which have been part of our lives and yet we had never seen. Vanilla turned out to be an orchid, and aloe vera is an agavacea which, aside from soothing the skin from sunburns, can also be ingested to treat stomach ulcers. Ilang-ilang is a tree which produces a flower whose scent has been used for a long time by the perfume industry. Lipsticks get their color from the seeds of the annatto plant which is also used in Latin American countries in substitution of saffron. Macaws, tanagers, toucans, and flycatchers completed the symphony of colors and sounds which make up this earthly paradise.
In the afternoon, we waited for the tropical sun to cool down and proceeded to Rio Rincon. We divided into several groups. Some of us went on Zodiac rides through the mangroves and the river, others did it using the kayaks and the more avid birdwatchers walked a few miles through a dusty road in search for wild life. We returned on the ship soothed by the ocean breeze and the soft light of an unforgettable sunset. What a great way to end our visit to Costa Rica. Once onboard the Sea Voyager we proceeded our journey. Tomorrow we will be entering Panama… and so, the adventure continues.
Casa Orquideas is a botanical garden in the middle of nowhere. Its creators planted it some thirty years ago using mostly native plants that came from the surrounding forests as well as some introduced species which were brought by the banana company into the area over half a century ago. Before being transformed into a garden the property was a cocoa plantation. In the 1970’s 70% of Costa Rica’s cocoa trees were attacked by monilia, a fungus which dried the fruits before they mature. Some of the trees still survive in the midst of the garden.
Aside from enjoying the sight and scent of thousands of plants that fill the trails of the garden: heliconias, orchids, crotons, gingers, palms and bromeliads among many others, we had a chance to see so many plants which have been part of our lives and yet we had never seen. Vanilla turned out to be an orchid, and aloe vera is an agavacea which, aside from soothing the skin from sunburns, can also be ingested to treat stomach ulcers. Ilang-ilang is a tree which produces a flower whose scent has been used for a long time by the perfume industry. Lipsticks get their color from the seeds of the annatto plant which is also used in Latin American countries in substitution of saffron. Macaws, tanagers, toucans, and flycatchers completed the symphony of colors and sounds which make up this earthly paradise.
In the afternoon, we waited for the tropical sun to cool down and proceeded to Rio Rincon. We divided into several groups. Some of us went on Zodiac rides through the mangroves and the river, others did it using the kayaks and the more avid birdwatchers walked a few miles through a dusty road in search for wild life. We returned on the ship soothed by the ocean breeze and the soft light of an unforgettable sunset. What a great way to end our visit to Costa Rica. Once onboard the Sea Voyager we proceeded our journey. Tomorrow we will be entering Panama… and so, the adventure continues.
