Costa Rica day 2

Well, well, well it seems that Costa Rica has a different time system . . . we were down and ready to leave at 7:30am sharp and no Lloyd . . . when I am told to be ready at 7:30am, that means be ready at 7:29am; don't be late better early.  He showed up exactly at 8:00am.  Apparently, people always add an extra thirty minutes to pad departure times, LOL.  Sadly, Lloyd woke up sick and lost his voice (I told you he talked a lot yesterday), but he was determined to give us a tour anyway.  I was fine with his limited voice as long as he got us where we needed to go and learned a little bit about Costa Rica!

I was eager for today and fingers crossed the weather would hold out for us . . . we are traveling to an elevation of 8,885 feet today to the Poas Volcano National Park.  When we left San Jose it was about 85 outside and as we entered the parking lot it was only 55 degrees!  Thankfully we bought our rain jackets.  I was excited to see the volcano.  It was about a kilometer hike to the overlook with more beautiful plants and birds signing.  Lloyd knew them all and I remembered none of them!  As we drove to Poas we made a quick stop at the Doka Coffee Plantation . . .

. . . Lloyd gave us a explanation of the process of making coffee and all about coffee in Costa Rica.  The plants were beautiful and again I loved this palm tree . . .

. . . back on the road we went.  We learned that coffee will not grow above a certain altitude so at a certain point the coffee plantations stop and fern plantations begin . . .

. . . the ferns are covered with tarps to protect the sensitive leaves from the sun.  We arrive at Poas Volcano National Park and the clouds have rolled into the area.  The walk up was full of beautiful plants . . .

. . . on a clear day this is what we should have seen when we arrived at the end of the path . . .

. . . but this is what we actually saw . . .

. . . total bummer but the hike up was nice!  I guess you have to think positive.  On the way down we took a different trail that most don't take so it was nice that there were not that many people!  We heard and saw many birds and the scenery was so peaceful . . .

Our next stop of the day was La Paz Waterfall Gardens.  While I assumed we would be seeing waterfalls, I did not know this was also a privately owned refuge for rescued animals.  Colin was immediately hooked . . .

Now, I love my birds especially puffins but these toucans were absolutely stunning . . . the colors were so vivid.  I could not watch them long enough!

There were very few visitors which made it nice to get to see up close.  I managed to find a hummingbird perched in a tree too.

We continued about the park looking at all the different rescued animals.  We learned it is illegal to keep most of these animals as pets and as a result when they are found they are sent to places like this.  It makes me sad to see these animals in captivity but the grounds seem so rustic and clean so hopefully it is good for them.  After we had a very tasty lunch we headed to the waterfall trails.  At the start was a typical casita that you might find in Costa Rica on a working farm many years ago.  It was cool and even had an ox-driven cart out front.

I know, I know these are not ox but Brahman.  The carts were painted so beautifully and it amazes me these works of art were used in the fields . . .

And finally, the long hike down to the waterfalls . . .

. . . so peaceful and beautiful.  They don't look that big but for perspective look at Colin standing at the bottom . . .

At about this point, I learned there was a bus that picked you up at the bottom and drove you back to the start.  I was beyond thrilled that I would not have to climb up what seemed like a million steps!  Our drive back to San Jose was beautiful . . .

. . . so green with a beautiful blue sky almost all day long.  I noticed many roadside stands selling fresh strawberries . . .

Colin loves strawberries!  So Lloyd stopped so we could have a tasty snack.

We safely arrived back to our hotel just in time to check in for our official tour with Adventures by Disney.  We met our two guides, Korey and Jenny, who were so energetic and happy . . . so hopefully this group thing goes well.  I was also thrilled to learn there are only 15 people in our group.   I am still not sure how we will fair on a group tour but tomorrow is the start.  We both quickly changed and headed to the pool to relax and share our strawberries.