Golfo Dulce, Costa Rica
Our third and last day in Costa Rica found us inside the waters of Golfo Dulce (Sweet Gulf). Rainfall is heavy in this southwestern part of Costa Rica, almost 5 meters (196 inches), and the temperature is warm, averaging 28°C (82°F). This combination creates within the Gulf a marvelous tropical wet forest where mosses, lichens, bromeliads and many species of flowering plants dwell. Our options were many: Zodiac cruising, kayaking, taking a nature walk and swimming from the stern. One of the best experiences on our trips is Zodiac cruising, being so buoyant, our small, black vessels with our phenomenal drivers allow us to get into places shallow enough to walk through. Our cruise today took us into one of the less appreciated, but more interesting habitats of the tropics: mangrove forests.
These are a group of unrelated woody plants that grow on protected tropical coasts. They occur in habitats that, in temperate regions, would be occupied by salt marshes. “Mangrove” is not a precise taxonomic classification; generally, any tree that grows directly from a subtidal or intertidal substrate may be termed a mangrove. In Costa Rica, one commonly may find 6 species of mangroves: red mangrove (Rhisophora mangle); tea mangrove (Pelliciera rhizophorae); white mangrove (Laguncularia recemosa); two species of black mangrove (Avicenia germinans and A. bicolor); and the buttonwood mangrove (Conocarpus erecta). Associated with this habitat are a generous number of species of animals such as egrets, ibis’, sandpipers, kingfishers, hawks, ospreys, herons, and even Basilisk lizards. The reflection of the trees on the water this morning reminded us that anything man has created, like a mirror, has nothing on what Mother Nature has to offer.
Once on board, the ship repositioned towards our afternoon destination: Casa Orquideas (the Orchid House). With a misleading name, the place is not only the home for many species of orchids, but more of a botanical garden, which makes any temperate zone gardener pout in frustration. Bromeliads, anthuriums, bougainvilleas, heliconias, palm trees, mango trees, cannonball trees, native and exotic fruit trees, and many more flowering plants paint the 15 acres of trimmed gardens. The afternoon closed our day with a good example of why these forests have their name: RAIN. One good tropical shower sent us all back to our floating home and a warm shower.
We are ready for our new adventures in Panama!
Our third and last day in Costa Rica found us inside the waters of Golfo Dulce (Sweet Gulf). Rainfall is heavy in this southwestern part of Costa Rica, almost 5 meters (196 inches), and the temperature is warm, averaging 28°C (82°F). This combination creates within the Gulf a marvelous tropical wet forest where mosses, lichens, bromeliads and many species of flowering plants dwell. Our options were many: Zodiac cruising, kayaking, taking a nature walk and swimming from the stern. One of the best experiences on our trips is Zodiac cruising, being so buoyant, our small, black vessels with our phenomenal drivers allow us to get into places shallow enough to walk through. Our cruise today took us into one of the less appreciated, but more interesting habitats of the tropics: mangrove forests.
These are a group of unrelated woody plants that grow on protected tropical coasts. They occur in habitats that, in temperate regions, would be occupied by salt marshes. “Mangrove” is not a precise taxonomic classification; generally, any tree that grows directly from a subtidal or intertidal substrate may be termed a mangrove. In Costa Rica, one commonly may find 6 species of mangroves: red mangrove (Rhisophora mangle); tea mangrove (Pelliciera rhizophorae); white mangrove (Laguncularia recemosa); two species of black mangrove (Avicenia germinans and A. bicolor); and the buttonwood mangrove (Conocarpus erecta). Associated with this habitat are a generous number of species of animals such as egrets, ibis’, sandpipers, kingfishers, hawks, ospreys, herons, and even Basilisk lizards. The reflection of the trees on the water this morning reminded us that anything man has created, like a mirror, has nothing on what Mother Nature has to offer.
Once on board, the ship repositioned towards our afternoon destination: Casa Orquideas (the Orchid House). With a misleading name, the place is not only the home for many species of orchids, but more of a botanical garden, which makes any temperate zone gardener pout in frustration. Bromeliads, anthuriums, bougainvilleas, heliconias, palm trees, mango trees, cannonball trees, native and exotic fruit trees, and many more flowering plants paint the 15 acres of trimmed gardens. The afternoon closed our day with a good example of why these forests have their name: RAIN. One good tropical shower sent us all back to our floating home and a warm shower.
We are ready for our new adventures in Panama!
