Casa Orquideas, Golfo Dulce, Costa Rica
The Sea Voyager entered Costa Rica at dawn. The immigration officials cleared the ship in the port of Golfito before breakfast was served. Then we proceeded to San Josecito where we visited a fantastic botanical garden called Casa Orquideas. This garden is the product of 26 years of intense labor by two American expatriates Ron and Trudy MacAllister. The property was originally a cacao plantation which was abandoned after the trees were attacked by monilia, an epidemic which still threatens cocoa plantations all over the world. Worse of all is that there is no way of producing good quality artificial cocoa. Orchids, bromeliads, heliconias, medicinal plants and herbs as well as hundreds of fruit trees both native and exotic make of the well maintained paths a fascinating learning experience. Scarlet macaws gave us the welcome to the premises as they flew over our heads, fiery-billed aracaris and chestnut-mandibled toucans completed the feeling of being in a tropical paradise. The king vulture and a white hawk made gave the day an almost mystical touch. As the sun went up, the temperature mounted. It was time to get out of the garden and indulge in the ocean swimming from the stern.
After lunch we enjoyed a siesta and an a man overboard drill, then we had Fico introduce us to the history and politics of Costa Rica, a good way of understanding this small and peculiarly exceptional and complex country. Pantropical spotted dolphins appeared by the ship as Fico started his lecture but it was well worth it. Once the unexpected visitors departed, Fico completed his lecture and then we proceeded to go on mangrove Zodiac and kayak cruises in Rio Esquinas. A warm and soothing rain fell over us proving that rain is not necessarily synonym of bad weather as it freshened us under the heat of the tropical sun. The pastel pink, green, blue and yellow tones of the sunset were the grand finale of an unforgettable day.
The Sea Voyager entered Costa Rica at dawn. The immigration officials cleared the ship in the port of Golfito before breakfast was served. Then we proceeded to San Josecito where we visited a fantastic botanical garden called Casa Orquideas. This garden is the product of 26 years of intense labor by two American expatriates Ron and Trudy MacAllister. The property was originally a cacao plantation which was abandoned after the trees were attacked by monilia, an epidemic which still threatens cocoa plantations all over the world. Worse of all is that there is no way of producing good quality artificial cocoa. Orchids, bromeliads, heliconias, medicinal plants and herbs as well as hundreds of fruit trees both native and exotic make of the well maintained paths a fascinating learning experience. Scarlet macaws gave us the welcome to the premises as they flew over our heads, fiery-billed aracaris and chestnut-mandibled toucans completed the feeling of being in a tropical paradise. The king vulture and a white hawk made gave the day an almost mystical touch. As the sun went up, the temperature mounted. It was time to get out of the garden and indulge in the ocean swimming from the stern.
After lunch we enjoyed a siesta and an a man overboard drill, then we had Fico introduce us to the history and politics of Costa Rica, a good way of understanding this small and peculiarly exceptional and complex country. Pantropical spotted dolphins appeared by the ship as Fico started his lecture but it was well worth it. Once the unexpected visitors departed, Fico completed his lecture and then we proceeded to go on mangrove Zodiac and kayak cruises in Rio Esquinas. A warm and soothing rain fell over us proving that rain is not necessarily synonym of bad weather as it freshened us under the heat of the tropical sun. The pastel pink, green, blue and yellow tones of the sunset were the grand finale of an unforgettable day.
