Golfo Dulce, Costa Rica
Today we are in Costa Rica, inside the Golfo Dulce in the southwestern part of the country. This region is a distinct oblong landmass, framed on its east by the Fila Costeña mountain chain and indented in the center by the vast gulf called Golfo Dulce – the Sweet Gulf. Around the Gulf to the north is the mountainous hook shaped Osa Peninsula and to the south the Burica Peninsula.
Our first day in Costa Rica began with a beautiful pink sunrise as we stretched up on the sundeck. While the customs officers let us into the second country of our journey, we could see the town of Golfito from our windows. This is the most important town in the Pacific southwest and for travelers who love forlorn ports this is a dream come true. The town was born in 1938, when the United Fruit Company moved over here after they shut down their operation in the Caribbean coast.
Repositioning the ship across the Gulf, we reached the lush area of Rincon River. This translates into the far corner river… We went out into the gulf and river to unfold their mysteries in three different ways: walking, kayaking or Zodiac cruising.
We repositioned the ship again while having lunch and moved to one of the highlights of our week – the botanical garden of Casa Orquidea. Ron and Trudy MacAllister arrived to the area of Golfito in 1974 and after 5 years of moving around, they relocated to this 70 acre property where they have established an incredible place. By collecting from the hills and shorelines around the Gulf, by trading with other botanical gardens and taking advantage of the exotic plants established by the United Fruit Company, this couple has a unique assemblage of tropical, sea level flora. As we wandered through the nicely trimmed trails of the garden, we wondered if we could live like this… For the time being, we are glad they can, and have a place we can appreciate! Hundreds of flowers and plants, toucans, swallow tailed kites, white hawks, cotingas, nestling tropical kingbirds, ibis, roseate spoonbills, and many, many more opened the doors to their homes to us, as the first day in Costa Rica came to an end.
Today we are in Costa Rica, inside the Golfo Dulce in the southwestern part of the country. This region is a distinct oblong landmass, framed on its east by the Fila Costeña mountain chain and indented in the center by the vast gulf called Golfo Dulce – the Sweet Gulf. Around the Gulf to the north is the mountainous hook shaped Osa Peninsula and to the south the Burica Peninsula.
Our first day in Costa Rica began with a beautiful pink sunrise as we stretched up on the sundeck. While the customs officers let us into the second country of our journey, we could see the town of Golfito from our windows. This is the most important town in the Pacific southwest and for travelers who love forlorn ports this is a dream come true. The town was born in 1938, when the United Fruit Company moved over here after they shut down their operation in the Caribbean coast.
Repositioning the ship across the Gulf, we reached the lush area of Rincon River. This translates into the far corner river… We went out into the gulf and river to unfold their mysteries in three different ways: walking, kayaking or Zodiac cruising.
We repositioned the ship again while having lunch and moved to one of the highlights of our week – the botanical garden of Casa Orquidea. Ron and Trudy MacAllister arrived to the area of Golfito in 1974 and after 5 years of moving around, they relocated to this 70 acre property where they have established an incredible place. By collecting from the hills and shorelines around the Gulf, by trading with other botanical gardens and taking advantage of the exotic plants established by the United Fruit Company, this couple has a unique assemblage of tropical, sea level flora. As we wandered through the nicely trimmed trails of the garden, we wondered if we could live like this… For the time being, we are glad they can, and have a place we can appreciate! Hundreds of flowers and plants, toucans, swallow tailed kites, white hawks, cotingas, nestling tropical kingbirds, ibis, roseate spoonbills, and many, many more opened the doors to their homes to us, as the first day in Costa Rica came to an end.
