Golfo Dulce, Costa Rica
Good morning and welcome to Costa Rica!!! The sunrise could not have been better in receiving us in this blessed nation. A cup of the local gourmet coffee, our wellness specialist, Lori’s stretching lessons up on the sky deck and smooth ocean waters gave us our first impressions of this country rightly named Costa Rica…the rich coast.
Temperatures rose while the Sea Voyager navigated to the northern most point of the Golfo Dulce. This beautiful gulf, with calm waters and lush vegetation, was the starting point of our expedition. The Highlands of Talamanca Mountain Range held many tones of green, and could be seen today, in a sky full of sunshine and few clouds
Kayakers were prepared to explore the mangrove forest along the coastline and admire in silence all the sounds and mysterious movements coming from the complex network of exposed roots and small streams running into the ocean. Right behind the kayakers, Zodiac cruises drove by the Rincón River. While the tide became lower, the mangrove forest began to reveal some secrets. This important ecosystem represents one of the most important environments for nesting and breeding hundreds of marine creatures such as fish, crustaceans and bivalves. Other species of animals and plants associated with this habitat include marine birds like herons, kingfishers, egrets and ospreys. Mammals such as crab eating raccoons and white-faced capuchin monkeys have adapted to survive here as well. To conclude our morning, both, kayakers and Zodiac cruisers had the opportunity to enjoy a refreshing swim from the stern of the ship.
After lunch, the ship repositioned to the eastern side of the gulf in front of Casa Orquideas, one of the highlights of our trip. This botanical garden protects some of the most beautiful species of tropical orchids not only from Costa Rica, but several species from other locations are present as well. Species of plants such as heliconias, gingers, bromeliads, palms and fruit trees helped photography lovers capture a delight of shapes, colors and aromas. Birdwatchers had their reward too. Just walking along the trail was a chance to find several colorful species hidden on the branches, and there was a lot of excitement to spot scarlet macaws flying above our heads.
The sun was going down and it was time to return to the Sea Voyager. Our senses were delighted by a place considered one of the most important in Costa Rica in terms of biological diversity. Our memories will bring us back here for years to come.
Good morning and welcome to Costa Rica!!! The sunrise could not have been better in receiving us in this blessed nation. A cup of the local gourmet coffee, our wellness specialist, Lori’s stretching lessons up on the sky deck and smooth ocean waters gave us our first impressions of this country rightly named Costa Rica…the rich coast.
Temperatures rose while the Sea Voyager navigated to the northern most point of the Golfo Dulce. This beautiful gulf, with calm waters and lush vegetation, was the starting point of our expedition. The Highlands of Talamanca Mountain Range held many tones of green, and could be seen today, in a sky full of sunshine and few clouds
Kayakers were prepared to explore the mangrove forest along the coastline and admire in silence all the sounds and mysterious movements coming from the complex network of exposed roots and small streams running into the ocean. Right behind the kayakers, Zodiac cruises drove by the Rincón River. While the tide became lower, the mangrove forest began to reveal some secrets. This important ecosystem represents one of the most important environments for nesting and breeding hundreds of marine creatures such as fish, crustaceans and bivalves. Other species of animals and plants associated with this habitat include marine birds like herons, kingfishers, egrets and ospreys. Mammals such as crab eating raccoons and white-faced capuchin monkeys have adapted to survive here as well. To conclude our morning, both, kayakers and Zodiac cruisers had the opportunity to enjoy a refreshing swim from the stern of the ship.
After lunch, the ship repositioned to the eastern side of the gulf in front of Casa Orquideas, one of the highlights of our trip. This botanical garden protects some of the most beautiful species of tropical orchids not only from Costa Rica, but several species from other locations are present as well. Species of plants such as heliconias, gingers, bromeliads, palms and fruit trees helped photography lovers capture a delight of shapes, colors and aromas. Birdwatchers had their reward too. Just walking along the trail was a chance to find several colorful species hidden on the branches, and there was a lot of excitement to spot scarlet macaws flying above our heads.
The sun was going down and it was time to return to the Sea Voyager. Our senses were delighted by a place considered one of the most important in Costa Rica in terms of biological diversity. Our memories will bring us back here for years to come.
