Casa Orquideas and Rincon River, Golfo Dulce, Costa Rica
Calm waters and a warm breeze welcomed us to Golfo Dulce by the Osa Peninsula. After breakfast we disembarked at Casa Orquideas, a beautiful botanical garden that a couple of American expatriates planted some thirty years ago in an abandoned cocoa plantation, in the middle of nowhere. The collection of plants that they gathered includes many native plants from the rainforest, as well as some introduced species. We spent our morning walking through the well-maintained trails bird watching and learning about the characteristics, history and uses of tropical plants. Then we had the rest of the morning to indulge in swimming in the ocean or venture to experience riding on the “torpedo blaster.” Before lunch, our Harvard guest lecturer gave a fascinating talk on “Coffee and Chocolate” which was interrupted by the sudden appearance of Pantropical spotted dolphins, which followed us for about half an hour.
In the afternoon, the sky started turning gray as we prepared to go on Zodiac and kayak excursions, or on the birding hike. In the beginning we hoped the clouds would move on, and that the sun would come back, but this did not happen and instead we saw the rainforest in all its splendor being nurtured by the most wonderful rain. We learned, as Ged pointed out, that there is no such thing as bad weather, only inappropriate gear. We got back on the ship completely soaked, but with the satisfaction of having enjoyed nature at its best. Cocktail hour started at 6:30 and Amity concluded her lecture on “Coffee and Chocolate” by letting us sample chocolates that tasted better once we understood all that it takes to make it good.
Calm waters and a warm breeze welcomed us to Golfo Dulce by the Osa Peninsula. After breakfast we disembarked at Casa Orquideas, a beautiful botanical garden that a couple of American expatriates planted some thirty years ago in an abandoned cocoa plantation, in the middle of nowhere. The collection of plants that they gathered includes many native plants from the rainforest, as well as some introduced species. We spent our morning walking through the well-maintained trails bird watching and learning about the characteristics, history and uses of tropical plants. Then we had the rest of the morning to indulge in swimming in the ocean or venture to experience riding on the “torpedo blaster.” Before lunch, our Harvard guest lecturer gave a fascinating talk on “Coffee and Chocolate” which was interrupted by the sudden appearance of Pantropical spotted dolphins, which followed us for about half an hour.
In the afternoon, the sky started turning gray as we prepared to go on Zodiac and kayak excursions, or on the birding hike. In the beginning we hoped the clouds would move on, and that the sun would come back, but this did not happen and instead we saw the rainforest in all its splendor being nurtured by the most wonderful rain. We learned, as Ged pointed out, that there is no such thing as bad weather, only inappropriate gear. We got back on the ship completely soaked, but with the satisfaction of having enjoyed nature at its best. Cocktail hour started at 6:30 and Amity concluded her lecture on “Coffee and Chocolate” by letting us sample chocolates that tasted better once we understood all that it takes to make it good.
