Golfo Dulce, Costa Rica
About thirty years ago Ron and Trudy MacAllister, a young American couple, moved to southern Costa Rica with the intention of living off the land. Little by little they planted a garden which they called Casa Orquideas. As tourism developed in Costa Rica, Casa Orquideas became a tourist attraction for cruise ships sailing through Golfo Dulce. This morning, we walked through the trails of this tropical botanical paradise. We divided into small groups with our Naturalists. They took us on a journey through the natural history of plants and birds; with plenty of anecdotes and stories of food and medicine.
After our visit at the botanical garden, we went swimming from the stern of the ship. Into the warm lush green waters of the sweet gulf we went. Lunch took place in the lounge. We enjoyed the calm waters of the gulf as we sailed towards Rincon River. At about 2:00 P.M. we arrived at the mouth of the river, where we either kayaked or took Zodiac cruises through the mangroves and farmlands of the area. A short stop at a cantina gave us a taste of local life. Back on the Sea Voyager snorkeling gear was distributed. While we selected our gear a group of five bottle nose dolphins led the way, or maybe they followed us, either way they were quite spectacular to watch. We sailed towards Panama, where tomorrow we will enjoy a great beach day.
About thirty years ago Ron and Trudy MacAllister, a young American couple, moved to southern Costa Rica with the intention of living off the land. Little by little they planted a garden which they called Casa Orquideas. As tourism developed in Costa Rica, Casa Orquideas became a tourist attraction for cruise ships sailing through Golfo Dulce. This morning, we walked through the trails of this tropical botanical paradise. We divided into small groups with our Naturalists. They took us on a journey through the natural history of plants and birds; with plenty of anecdotes and stories of food and medicine.
After our visit at the botanical garden, we went swimming from the stern of the ship. Into the warm lush green waters of the sweet gulf we went. Lunch took place in the lounge. We enjoyed the calm waters of the gulf as we sailed towards Rincon River. At about 2:00 P.M. we arrived at the mouth of the river, where we either kayaked or took Zodiac cruises through the mangroves and farmlands of the area. A short stop at a cantina gave us a taste of local life. Back on the Sea Voyager snorkeling gear was distributed. While we selected our gear a group of five bottle nose dolphins led the way, or maybe they followed us, either way they were quite spectacular to watch. We sailed towards Panama, where tomorrow we will enjoy a great beach day.
