We arrived last night at the tranquil waters of Golfo Dulce, bringing us to the heart of coastal Costa Rican life. After breakfast, we disembarked and were greeted by families whose lives are intertwined with this fertile land.
The rainforest enveloped us. First, we visited a traditional sugarcane mill where families demonstrated the ancient process of extracting sweet juice using horse-powered grinders. Their hands moved with practiced precision, transforming the raw cane into rich molasses.
Along a shaded stream, we joined Don Juan who taught us the patient art of gold panning. Water swirled in wooden bowls as tiny flecks of precious metal caught the sunlight.
The journey continued to cacao groves, where Alex proudly showed us their cultivation methods. We tasted the raw fruit before seeing the meticulous fermentation process. Nearby, the delicate vanilla orchids climbed trellises, their beans carefully tended by the skilled farmers, it was a cathedral of biodiversity where our guides pointed out medicinal plants their ancestors have used for centuries.
As dusk approached, we returned to our waiting ship, carrying memories of these resilient families whose traditions flourished in harmony with this bountiful landscape.
