Landscape and other pictures
This being our second visit to Costa Rica, and constrained with limited time (just short of a full week), we decided to use a different mode: instead of hopping from place to place, we decide to stay in one place for a few days to relax and enjoy. The place we picked was Bosque de Paz (Forest of Peace). The hotel is nestled in a mountain valley near Juan Castro Blanco National Park. The lodge is surrounded by mountains, and a river runs right in front of it. It's a beautiful setting. We would mostly just stay put and "let nature come to us". There are also trails radiating from the lodge that wind inside the national park, we would take a few leisurely walks there too. (Click on each image to see the high-resolution version)
Bosque de Paz
Bosque de Paz
A small unnamed river cuts through the hotel grounds. Because this was at the tail end of the rainy season, the river carries abundant water.
River
On one of the days there I tried to take a hike to a waterfall (this would be Catarata Fatima) inside the national park. However, I was stymied by a downed tree near the end of the trail. The picture is deceptive -- half of the trail in fact collapsed (hidden by the palm leaves) and the rest of it looks very soft and unstable due to the recent downpours. I did the prudent thing and turned back.
Downed Tree
Having failed to reach the waterfall, I turned my attention to the details along the trail. A cluster of gelatinous and translucent tree fungus caught my attention, then later, I captured some mushrooms in pictures too.
Fungus
Fungus
Mushroom
Mushrooms
Weather was changing all the time, it was drizzling and dark while I hiked, but as I came back, the day brightened, and I took a couple of pictures of the verdant rainforest.
Rainforest
Rainforest
A moss-laden bridge took me across the small stream.
Bridge
On our trip to Irazu Volcano, we stopped at a restaurant and I used this opportunity to snap a picture of the Central Valley of Costa Rica.
Central Valley
As we reached the top of the volcanic mountains, we could plainly see the dark volcanic dirt covered plateau.
Irazu
The Irazu trip was too hasty for my taste, but we managed to snap a few pictures. Unfortunately, we could not see the bottom of the principal crater from here.
Irazu
Irazu
Irazu
We did make a stop to view the erupting Turrialba Volcano in action.
Turrialba
One of the more interesting cultural experience was to stop at the Basilica of Our Lady of the Angels in Cartago Province and witness their service there.
Basilica of Our Lady of the Angels
Basilica of Our Lady of the Angels
Basilica of Our Lady of the Angels
The outside of the church is adorned with many religious sculptures and reliefs.
Mary and Jesus Statue
Ora Pro Nobis (Pray for us)
Regina Angelorum (Queen of the Angels)
Religious Relief
The stained glasses are beautiful too.
Stained Glass
At the Lankester Garden, there is no shortage of flowers, but personally I am not a big fan of cultivated plants.
Banana Flower
Flower Bud
On our trip to Poas Volcano, I snapped some pictures of the Central Valley again. The band of "cloud" in the sky is actually the ashes from Turrialba Volcano.
Central Valley
We stopped at Doka Estate. Although they are apparently tourist-oriented, their coffee is deservedly good (we bought two bags).
Doka Estate
Doka Estate
The coffee beans are ripe for the picking; the pulp is surprisingly sweet and tasty, but there is too little of it to be made for consumption.
Coffee Beans
Finally we reached the crater of Poas Volcano. Clouds were rapidly rolling in, and I snapped a few pictures before it was all covered up.
Poas Volcano
Poas Volcano
Poas Volcano
Poas Volcano
Poas Volcano
Poas Volcano
The lava field on the slope of the mountain.
Lava Field
Another picture of the Central Valley on the way back.
Central Valley
One of my last shot of the city of San Jose (actually this was near Lindora, but still within San Jose Province) on the night before we left this beautiful country.
San Jose
