In The Cloud Forest Monteverde,Costa Rica
Nature exists as a living dream. Magic can be found in the simplest of things, both large and small—clouds sailing, a blade of sunlit grass, a flower budding. And we are mere wanderers amidst her enchantment. - Unknown
Costa Ricans are passionate about their environment and ensuring that a natural symbiosis occurs to keep the natural balance. I found that even truer when we reached the cloud forest and toured the microbrewery and the coffee plantations. Of course this is also the area where are group did zip lining and walking along the hanging bridges. Did not see too much wild life here except some folks saw tarantulas. Glad I was not with the group that saw the tarantulas.
Monteverde was founded by a group of quakers who left their home in Alabama, USA to escape the draft and protest against war. Costa Rica had just disbanded it’s army and decided to use the military budget for healthcare and to preserving the environment.
Being at about 6000 feet above sea level and in a naturally occurring wind tunnel, it was cold and blustery. Our rooms in the lodge did not have air conditioning or heating so we had to figure out how to stay warm using blankets and closed windows.
Homes are primarily made with tin roofs and white washed painted walls or all tin. Set amongst the abundant natural vegetation, the outside of many homes is painted with colorful murals.
On our way through the winding mountain roads we had to cross the “Oh My God” bridge. The bridge is narrow with barely inches to spare on either side of the coach. The driver had to align it just so to fit so we could cross. It doesn’t help that the approach road is winding and a lot of manipulation is needed to align the coach correctly.
The highlight of this was when the driver found trees obstructing the road. To our amusement, he pulled out a ladder and machete and proceed to cut down what needed to be removed in order for him to adjust his coach fort he crossing. “Oh My God”!! I totally understand how the bridge got it’s name.
We made our lunch stop in the small picturesque town of Tilaran. As we wandered around the town square I noticed the lending library where people can exchange books. How enterprising! No wonder the country has one of the highest literacy rates in Central America.
Microbrews are becoming very popular in Costa Rica particularly with the younger crowd. Fresh water in the mountain is a key ingredient in this region that makes good beer. Teamed with the farms and a farm to table dining option it’s a win: win.
I am not a beer drinker but decided that I wanted to be better educated. The owner offered me a specialty beer that he insisted was very light and refreshing. I took one sip and confirmed that beer is just the drink for for me.
We had a few tense moments when I interrupted our good host when he talked about India being a colony of the British letting him know that India has been independent since 1947. However he forgave me for not liking beer and brought me a delicious glass of Sangria to accompany my delicious meal while the rest of my companions tasted the beer offerings and drank my share as well as their own.
I’m not sure if it was the weather, or the clouds or just because but the sunsets were absolutely spectacular. I walked a little way along the path to see if I could get past the trees but this is the best I could capture.
This region is famous for it’s coffee amongst other crops and we got to visit and tour a coffee farm where we learned how a seed grows into a cup of coffee.
We visited the farm and got to see goats, chickens and pigs who supply some of the natural manure to fertilize the coffee plants which are shaded by the banana trees. For coffee pickers who get paid by the basket, speed and quality are both key elements.
We got to experience this and failed miserably on both counts but we certainly had fun and got some nice pictures for our friends and family back home.
The goat bridge.
Rivers and streams crisscross the vista. While we Americans all used bottled water we were assured that the water is pure and we can drink straight out of the tap.
Our first view of the Gulf of Nicoya and the Pacific Ocean as we headed out from Monteverde to our beach resort for our final few days in the country.