Affordable Costa Rica Day 6
Affordable Costa Rica
DAY 6 - March 19, 2005
Organic Farm-Arenal Volcano-Optional Hike
Our day began with a bright hot sun - even at 6:15 it is high in the sky. Our luggage had to be out at 7:00 and breakfast was at the same time. At breakfast we were pleased to see our Toucan Friend, (we named him Henry), again this morning along with a flock of wild Chestnut Mandible Toucans, clay colored robins, the national bird of CR and also 4 Collared Aricari, a cousin of the toucans.
After breakfast we paid our bill and met twelve of our group to take a nature walk with Eddie learning all about the native plants, specially dealing with the banana plant and industry of the plantations in CR. It was most interesting to know that different countries around the world like different varieties, sizes, as well as colors of bananas. So they are cut, labeled, and shipped accordingly.
Boarding our bus at 9:30, we headed to GEMA (Groupo Ecologico de Mujeres of El Abanico, a women's cooperative that grows indigenous plants to be used in medicinal teas. The co-op specializes in natural herbal remedies for a variety of ailments ranging from headaches to kidney disorders. Our visit provided a unique insight into the many uses and health benefits of Costa Rica's native flora.
At 11 we departed for our lunch stop, at the organic farm Juan Bautista, a school principal. We had a delicious and typical farmer's lunch of beans and rice, chicken and beef in salsa, manioc, salad, and plantains, all grown without the use of pesticides and nonorganic fertilizers. After lunch we toured this very well kept garden of vegetables, fruits, medicinal plants, and animals. Then after the tour we went into the wood shed where we learned about another important Costa Rican crop - sugar cane. Our host carefully explained how sugar cane is grown and processed, and we even tried our hand at pressing the raw cane, then drinking the juice, and enjoying a bit of the 160 proof sugar cane moonshine. We even had the opportunity to chew sugar cane and eat some candy made from raw sugar and cooked with nuts grown on the farm.
We departed for La Fortuna, a town nestled in view of the mist-shrouded Arenal volcano, and got to the hotel within 15 minutes. With only enough time to get our bags, go to the bathroom, and get our bathing suits, we headed to hike the Arenal Hanging Bridges.
This was an optional tour that gave us an opportunity to hike through the primary rain forest overlooking the Arenal Volcano that by this time was covered at the top. This three mile walk was steep and our quick pace gave us great exercise for the afternoon. We saw a large family of (5 or 6) Howler Monkeys, a curassow, a flock of Crested Guan, enormous flying birds the size of turkeys, as well as a White Nosed Coati Mundi. We could hear lots of smaller birds but at 5:30, at the end of our hike; it was getting dark in the forest.
This region is also known for its hot springs, and we learned about them firsthand when we drove to a local spa and enjoyed about an hour in the hot springs and then had dinner in their restaurant.
At 8:30 we returned to the Volcano Lodge, where our rooms face directly toward the Arenal Volcano and asked the reception to call us at any time during the night when the top of the volcano/crater becomes visible. This Lodge has a great view of the beautifully cone-shaped Arenal Volcano, if and when the cloud cover lifts. Volcán Arenal (as it's called in Spanish) has been one of the world's most active volcanoes since it awakened from a long dormancy in 1968. On a clear night, incandescent flows of lava are frequently visible in the distance; and we have already heard the volcano's thunderous explosions since we have been in this area for three days.
Accommodations: Volcano Lodge
Meals: B, L
If you wish to travel with OAT Click Here.
To receive $50 per person off your first reservation with OAT, mention the following information when reserving your Overseas Adventure Travel Trip: Mr. Victor Garcia Customer #673062
Comments
Featured Journal
Day 13: Azores & Madeira: Portugal's Unspoiled Archipelagos
Day 13 - Saturday, April 22, 2022 - Depart for U.S.
The hotel prepared a box breakfast for us as we had to be in the lobby way before the breakfast room was open.
Last night we found out that our departure flight back to...
