JOIN QUEEN'S COLLEGE STUDENTS ON THEIR EASTER ADVENTURE
COSTA RICA 2023
HEREDIA | SAN JOSE | MONTEVERDE
DAY 8
Friday, April 7
Fresh pineapple and papaya, two kinds of cereal, yogurt, fresh orange juice and coffee were ready for us. After a few minutes, plates came out from the kitchen with pancakes, scrambled eggs and bacon. We were in heaven.
Some flowers we had never seen before in various brilliant colors. There was even a vine growing overhead which had sprays of flowers that looked like orchids hanging down and almost appeared fake but were very real.
In short order, the group, led by Jason, went for a short walk down a few hills, back into the city where we had dinner last night. Those were some steep hills! Due to being Good Friday and given Costa Rica is has a huge Catholic following, each town has their own procession through the streets where either they carry a statue which looks like Jesus on the cross or they have a real person dressed in full costume, accompanied by onlookers, sometimes soldiers and a large crown.
In Monteverde, there was a smaller version of this processional but we got to see it as soon as we came into the town. Then we had 30 minutes before we met the driver at the bus – SHOPPING TIME!
Everyone disbursed and went into various souvenir stores to get a few tokens. Then it was onto the bus for the bumpy ride to the Cloud Rainforest. Don’t ever think Bahamian roads are bad….
At Reserva Bosque Nuboso (Cloud Rainforest Reserve), our guide took us to the restrooms first and then onto the nature trail. We continued to head up the mountain and along the rough, bumpy, muddy path while she showed us the various birds, insects, trees and flowers along the way. There was even a dung beetle rolling a ball along the path. We were able to see up close various insects and were able to touch various leaves – only as the guide instructed. At one point we were able to climb about 100m up a tower to be able to look out over the entire rainforest and see the various volcanoes. It was amazing.
After the trek back down the mountain, everyone had to catch their breaths and head back onto the bus. Lunch was ready at the restaurant in town where we just shopped for souvenirs called Gusticos Monteverde.
It was some of the best food we have had to date. Fresh strawberry, passion fruit and pineapple juice, chicken strips, casado, tacos and quesadillas were on today’s menu. By now, everyone was tired and ready to rest so it was back to the hotel.
Stay tuned for dinner….
Dinner was a short drive to the restaurant named Mar & Tierra. As we walked in the atmosphere seemed very fancy, with filled wine glasses on each table. However, in the glass was blackberry juice. Dinner was served on wooden cutting boards and was absolutely delicious.
Back to the hotel to prepare for tomorrow’s adventure!
