Casa Orquideas and Rincon
“Bienvenidos a Costa Rica.” This day at Golfo Dulce area started with a special wake-up call. An earthquake measuring 5.5 on the Richter scale at 7:00 a.m. ship time (6:00 a.m. local time) shook the Sea Voyager for a few seconds while we were anchored at Golfito. The epicenter located 30 straight nautical miles from our position, at the area of Puerto Armuelles, reminded us of the amazing power of nature.
After breakfast we were anchored just a few yards from the entrance to Casa Orquideas Gardens. From the ship the hillside in the back of this property showed the different shades of green of this lowland wet forest. After a wet landing at the beach, the trails immersed us in the beautiful collection of orchids, heliconias, anthuriums, medicine and fruiting trees. The sound effect was provided by the song of different mixed flocks of birds such as banaquits, cherrie’s tanager and red-legged honeycreeper among others. By late morning a very gratifying sighting of a perched white hawk only 15 feet off the ground closed the morning chapter of birdwatching. By 11:15 a.m. all of us were back on board and this time with the warmth of the day swimming from the stern was the best option before a wonderful lunch at the lounge.
The afternoon activities started with a presentation on Costa Rica’s history to fully understand the development of this nation; then various options from a kayak or Zodiac ride through the mangroves of Rincon River or a walk into the road from Puerto Jimenez to Highway 2 that passed through some mangrove and rain forest with great birdwatching opportunities.
During cocktails we found out that the keen eyes of our friend naturalist Beni were able to see a Humpback Whale with its calf close to the river mouth of Rincon River. Well I guess as usual everybody aboard the ship had a highlight to share.
“Bienvenidos a Costa Rica.” This day at Golfo Dulce area started with a special wake-up call. An earthquake measuring 5.5 on the Richter scale at 7:00 a.m. ship time (6:00 a.m. local time) shook the Sea Voyager for a few seconds while we were anchored at Golfito. The epicenter located 30 straight nautical miles from our position, at the area of Puerto Armuelles, reminded us of the amazing power of nature.
After breakfast we were anchored just a few yards from the entrance to Casa Orquideas Gardens. From the ship the hillside in the back of this property showed the different shades of green of this lowland wet forest. After a wet landing at the beach, the trails immersed us in the beautiful collection of orchids, heliconias, anthuriums, medicine and fruiting trees. The sound effect was provided by the song of different mixed flocks of birds such as banaquits, cherrie’s tanager and red-legged honeycreeper among others. By late morning a very gratifying sighting of a perched white hawk only 15 feet off the ground closed the morning chapter of birdwatching. By 11:15 a.m. all of us were back on board and this time with the warmth of the day swimming from the stern was the best option before a wonderful lunch at the lounge.
The afternoon activities started with a presentation on Costa Rica’s history to fully understand the development of this nation; then various options from a kayak or Zodiac ride through the mangroves of Rincon River or a walk into the road from Puerto Jimenez to Highway 2 that passed through some mangrove and rain forest with great birdwatching opportunities.
During cocktails we found out that the keen eyes of our friend naturalist Beni were able to see a Humpback Whale with its calf close to the river mouth of Rincon River. Well I guess as usual everybody aboard the ship had a highlight to share.
