Tuesday, December 24, 2019, Puntarenas, Costa Rica
COSTA RICA
Costa Rica, officially the Republic of Costa Rica, is a country in Central America, bordered by Nicaragua to the north, the Caribbean Sea to the northeast, Panama to the southeast, the Pacific Ocean to the southwest, and Ecuador to the south of Cocos Island. It has a population of around 5 million in a land area of 19,714 square miles. An estimated 333,980 people live in the capital and largest city, San José, with around 2 million people in the surrounding metropolitan area.
There are 112 volcanoes, of which seven are reasonably active. There are 850 bird species, 240 reptile species, 13,000 plants and trees, and 350 thousand insects. 25% of the area is protected land. In Puntarenas there are daily earthquakes of which two per month are felt. Every four years a quake is strong enough to cause significant damage. Costa Rica is in on the ten degree north latitude so year around sunrises and sun sets are very consistent.
On September 15, 1821 Costa Rica gained its independence from Spain. There are about three million tourists visiting annually.
Coffee cherries (not beans) are picked by hand; processing to remove the seven outer skin layers takes place in Costa Rica resulting in beans. They are shipped to markets unroasted. 20% of beans are kept in Costa Rica for local consumption.
Puntarenas, Costa Rica
Situated on the scenic Gulf of Nicoya, a
shimmering expanse dotted with pristine islands and surrounded by Costa Rica’s
tropical splendor, the former fishing village of Puntarenas is the gateway to
magnificent beaches and rich wildlife.
The port prospered on the shoulders of coffee barons as oxcarts
delivered satchels of beans to the docks from the mountains. With the opening of a railroad in 1879, the
oxcarts disappeared, but coffee remains Cost Rica’s major export. Today, Puntarenas retains its fishing
heritage, as colorful boats in the harbor attest, and the lush rainforests
nearby offer endless walking trails under a dense canopy rich in vegetation and
echoing with the screeches of howler monkeys.
Sarch Oxcart Artistry & Butterfly Experience
We discovered the
immaculate Else Kientzler Botanical Garden, where our guide revealed how each
plant and tree in the tropical paradise has a story, folk tradition, or
specific use. We learned about butterflies
and their life cycle from caterpillar to maturity, then were invited to
participate in releasing the next generation of butterflies into the
gardens.
We then bused a short
distance to the Sarchi factory, Home of Costa Rica’s Most Notable Craft, oxcart
factory. We learned its heritage where
more than a century ago, local artists began painting and decorating their
traditional oxcarts in intricate and colorful designs. Here the Eloy Alfaro Oxcart Factory, which is
situated on a stream and uses a waterwheel to power much of its machinery. We watched the intricate work of the
artisans, and saw the world famous hand painted oxcarts.
Coffee "orchards" on our way to botanical gardens and cart factory.
Coffee bushes.
Papayas on trees.
The botanic garden Else Kientzler has a large sample of different tropical species from places like Guayanas, New Zealand, Madagascar, Japan, Bahamas, Java, Brazil, India, Korea, and of course Costa Rica. In this space you will find several types of gardens, such as succulents, bromeliads, as well as a sample of endangered timber trees and a zingiberal garden.
Located on the outskirts of Sarchi, these stunning 17 acre gardens showcase more than 2000 species of botanicals and tropical plants. Visitors can meander nearly two miles of beautifully landscaped trails, which feature orchids, cacti, bromeliads, palms, succulents, heliconia, and hibiscus, each labeled with their common and scientific names. Else Kientzler Botanical Garden strives to be a leader in natural resources conservation and protection, and tours of the garden emphasize the importance of environmentalism.
Golden web spiders; the female is larger than the male.
Females will eat males if food is scarce.
Web is strong enough to use for eye surgeries.
Another pair of golden web spiders.
Black bamboo.
Gazebo for weddings; about 25 per year (only in dry seasons).
This plant is in the same family as pineapple plants.
Banana flower.
Small white pestles become bananas.
Bougainvillea.
We each got to release a butterfly.
The sight of brightly colored Fabrica de Carretas Eloy Alfaro immediately brings a smile to your face. See beautiful ox carts, chairs, tables, and other wooden products made with passion and skill as you wander the site. Intricate, boldly colored ornaments capture the true spirit of the Caribbean, and the friendly craftsmen will happily answer your questions about their works. The ox carts made onsite are still manufactured using traditional techniques, keeping the same look they had when people used their distinctive designs to identify one another as they crossed paths. The souvenir shop offers a variety of equally beautiful wooden artworks, but of a more convenient size to carry. Arrange your visit to Fabrica de Carretas Eloy Alfaro and discover more family-friendly attractions in Sarchi using our Sarchi holiday planner.
This water wheel provides power for most tools.
On our way back to cruise ship (1 1/2 hours).
Wishing us "bon voyage."
Tomorrow we will have a sea day enroute to Guadalajara.
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