Part 2 of our Panama Canal Cruise
Puntarenas Costa Rica to Corinto Nicaragua to Puerto Quetzal Guatemala
On Saturday, April 15, we docked at the long pier of Puntarenas, Costa Rica.
It was early in the morning, but the beaches were full. This was the Saturday of the Easter long weekend, so many families were at the beach and resorts. And it was very warm, humid morning - good time for a swim.
We had a Coffee Plantation tour booked courtesy of our travel agency, Clarkson Cruise Holidays. It was a very hot day - mid to high 80's but we were taking an air conditioned bus up into the mountains and the temperature was very comfortable there.
We boarded our bus at 8:30 am for our tour to the Esiritu Coffee Plantation in the town of Naranjo-about 70 km inland and up into the mountain side.
During the hour and a half drive there we had a good look at the countryside and a good commentary from our tour guide.
Lots of roadside markets were seen.
Edgar was an excellent guide - very knowledgable about everything coffee
The beautiful tropical paths through the planation
Ginny ready to pick some coffee
Making coffee the traditional way with a fabric "sock" filter
Bananas
Rainbow Eucalyptus Tree
Immature beans - these cherries will be red when ready for harvest
Drying the beans
The Roaster
The traditional way to transport the coffee was by brightly painted oxcart.
A view of the hillside town of Naranjo from the plantation
Our next stop was the town of Sarchi, known for the worlds largest oxcart.
As Costa Rica’s most well-known crafts center, Sarchi is famous for its colourfully painted oxcarts and oxen yokes – national symbols of Costa Rican folklore and traditions. The tradition of painting and decorating oxcarts started in the early 20th century. Back in the day, wooden carts pulled by a pair of oxen were the main mode of transportation in the mountainous country, especially to transport coffee beans to markets. Originally each region of Costa Rica had its own particular oxcart design, which identified a driver’s origin by the painted patterns on his cart’s wheels. Today, oxcarts still play a principal role in parades and religious celebrations.
Even the church in Sarchi was elaborately painted
The beautiful painted furniture at the oxcart factory
Everything was painted - beautiful mural on the side of the building ....
....the mirrors in the ladies room
... and the men's room
The oxcarts are still handmade in the traditional way and no 2 are alike
Well used wheel in for repairs
Even the power poles are painted in town
After our tour, the bus drove us down the pier right to the ship, but there was a tram that would transport people into town
Sunset Sail-Away
A volcano can be seen in the distance.
CORINTO, NICARAGUA
EASTER SUNDAY
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| The Captain getting an egg from the Easter Bunny |
Sailing in to Corinto Nicaragua
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| Buses lined up for tours |
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| Town Square Clock as seen from the Ship |
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| Local Entertainers |
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| It was 100 degrees today and humid. That was one hot walk across the port asphalt. The main square was just outside the port gates. |
As we passed through the port gates, we came across the souvenir stands
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| Pottery by local artisians - yup, we bought a couple :-) |
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| These 4 person bicycle taxis were everywhere - $5 per ride/tour ... a good way to get to the beach |
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| Finding some shade and internet in the town square |
The ship seen by looking down the main street
Some interesting sights while walking around the town
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| A restaurant grill on the sidewalk. |
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| All windows and doors had elaborate ironwork |
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| always looking for internet |
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| A good police presence in the main square |
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| The barber shop was open on Easter Sunday |
Since is was Easter, as we walked the side streets, we could see people in their homes or eating an Easter lunch. The windows didn't have glass, just the ironwork.
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| A home with iron patio gate and windows |
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| A street of pretty homes |
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| Oh boy it was hot .... and then we had the walk across the asphalt |
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| Easter Desert |
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