Golfo Dulce, Costa Rica
We crossed into Costa Rica this morning and noticed the dramatic change in landscape from Panama. A mountainous pebbled coast, tufted in lush rainforest and cozy little bays. We dropped Zodiacs after breakfast and made our way to Casa Orquideas. Here we were greeted by Ron & Trudy MacAllister, a couple who found their little green treasure in Central America 20 years ago. Ron and Trudy have created one of the most unique orchid collections in Central America. Due to their remote location they are visited only by sea which makes this much more of an experience. We divided up in to small groups and enjoyed walking amongst the manicured gardens that are visited by all sorts of birds, which take advantage of feeding, while helping to pollinate these flowers. We visited for three hours and had great views of toucans, woodpeckers, hummingbirds, manakins and tanagers. We made our way back for lunch and prepared for our next stop, Golfito.
Arriving in Golfito after lunch we could see that this town once served as a banana port with all of its cranes and extensive docks. The port once housed Chiquita banana exportations on the Pacific side of Costa Rica. The clustered town of Golfito was nestled against the background of thick-forested mountain. Our activities started after a well-deserved nap. We dropped our Zodiacs and headed for town. Some of the highlights were walking in the town viewing the local culture of this once banana port now converted into a free port. Some of us were entertained by a local person feeding coatimundis that rushed down the mountainside for a few scrumptious bananas. The town was a pleasant experience. After the visit we headed back to the ship, some of us kayaked while others took a walk in the rainforest until sun down.
At night we enjoyed a fine Costa Rican dinner and local Latin dancing onboard with the crew. This was a great way to start off our Costa Rican adventure.
We crossed into Costa Rica this morning and noticed the dramatic change in landscape from Panama. A mountainous pebbled coast, tufted in lush rainforest and cozy little bays. We dropped Zodiacs after breakfast and made our way to Casa Orquideas. Here we were greeted by Ron & Trudy MacAllister, a couple who found their little green treasure in Central America 20 years ago. Ron and Trudy have created one of the most unique orchid collections in Central America. Due to their remote location they are visited only by sea which makes this much more of an experience. We divided up in to small groups and enjoyed walking amongst the manicured gardens that are visited by all sorts of birds, which take advantage of feeding, while helping to pollinate these flowers. We visited for three hours and had great views of toucans, woodpeckers, hummingbirds, manakins and tanagers. We made our way back for lunch and prepared for our next stop, Golfito.
Arriving in Golfito after lunch we could see that this town once served as a banana port with all of its cranes and extensive docks. The port once housed Chiquita banana exportations on the Pacific side of Costa Rica. The clustered town of Golfito was nestled against the background of thick-forested mountain. Our activities started after a well-deserved nap. We dropped our Zodiacs and headed for town. Some of the highlights were walking in the town viewing the local culture of this once banana port now converted into a free port. Some of us were entertained by a local person feeding coatimundis that rushed down the mountainside for a few scrumptious bananas. The town was a pleasant experience. After the visit we headed back to the ship, some of us kayaked while others took a walk in the rainforest until sun down.
At night we enjoyed a fine Costa Rican dinner and local Latin dancing onboard with the crew. This was a great way to start off our Costa Rican adventure.
