COSTA RICAN NATURE

        Costa Rica’s Braulio Carrillo National Forest  is named for Braulio Carrillo Colina, the country’s third president.  The foliage was lush and thick protecting 6000 species of plants and 333 birds.

At the rain forest bordering the national park we boarded an aerial tram for a ride through the canopy of the forest. We couldn’t have asked for a nicer day. The sun was shining in a cloudless sky. The tram was fourteen years old in the 470 acres private rain forest. The guide in our six seat tramcar told us they had about two nice days a week.

The guide was good about identifying and pointing out birds to us. We saw a rare black bird, a duck sitting in a tree, lots of palm and mahogany trees. An occasional waterfall and several streams flowed on the ground below. The only sounds in the  quiet canopy were those of birds. After the tram ride we took a nature hike on the rain forest floor. We all were fascinated with the many busy leaf-cutter ants working and carrying their loads. Their nesting area was huge. The guide pointed out a small, but very poisonous snake. Both the tram ride and hike were lots of fun!

A walk through a small butterfly garden provided good photo ops.  It is hard to photograph butterflies as they always seem to be in flight. We saw lots of the blue morpho butterflies on this trip. The beautiful blue is easy to spot as it stands out against the green backdrop. 

It was a wonderful day. I love rain forests and never pass up an opportunity to be in one. Costa Rica is a fantastic place to get close to nature.

On another trip we visited the La Selva Biological Station where  we picked up a park guide for a walk through the rainforest. Located at the confluence of the Sarapiqui and Puerto Viejo rivers ,the  station is run by the Organization of Tropical Studies (OTS). Three quarters of the 4000 acres is prime forest, and there are 35 miles of trails. The Station borders a national forest.

Studies are extensive with everything from the smallest ant to the largest tree.  To date 350 species of ants, 3000 mosses, and 1900 plants/trees have been identified. The station has an extensive school education program.

We crossed over a rather long swinging bridge to enter the trails. The river below was flowing at a pretty good rate. Scores of birds were flying around and singing. It took quite a while to get across the bridge as we kept stopping to observe the birds.

We saw a collared Peccary (wild pig) cross the path ahead of us. We also saw several agouti, the small-dog size large rodent. We saw boo-coos of birds and took pictures by a kapok tree. Rain held off until we left the forest and entered the gift shop. 

This is where I saw my first toucan---I heard them in Belize on the way to the Mayan ruins, and again in Panama when going up the Sambu River, but both times they were too high up  in the canopy to see. Now I was excited to see several of them.

On another trip we visited the La Selva Biological Station where  we picked up a park guide for a walk through the rainforest. Located at the confluence of the Sarapiqui and Puerto Viejo rivers ,the  station is run by the Organization of Tropical Studies (OTS). Three quarters of the 4000 acres is prime forest, and there are 35 miles of trails. The Station borders a national forest.

Studies are extensive with everything from the smallest ant to the largest tree.  To date 350 species of ants, 3000 mosses, and 1900 plants/trees have been identified. The station has an extensive school education program.

We crossed over a rather long swinging bridge to enter the trails. The river below was flowing at a pretty good rate. Scores of birds were flying around and singing. It took quite a while to get across the bridge as we kept stopping to observe the birds.

We saw a collared Peccary (wild pig) cross the path ahead of us. We also saw several agouti, the small-dog size large rodent. We saw boo-coos of birds and took pictures by a kapok tree. Rain held off until we left the forest and entered the gift shop. 

This is where I saw my first toucan---I heard them in Belize on the way to the Mayan ruins, and again in Panama when going up the Sambu River, but both times they were too high up  in the canopy to see. Now I was excited to see several of them.

MORE ALPS MEMORIES

     It was a cloudy day when we hiked from Lauterbrenner to Murren so we stopped half way at a new restaurant that seemed to us strangers to be in the middle of nowhere. We enjoyed something hot to drink. In spite of the cloudy day it was a spectacular hike with many waterfalls along the way.   Murren means many fountains. Murren is a quaint little village at 5390-feet and situated on the edge of a cliff with s sheer drop-off of 1950-feet---not a place for children to play! Monks founded the village in 1133. Between 1849-1914 the Grand Hotel operated a horse drawn railway transport system. It is the only way out of town and Murren remains a car free village. We saw one of the buggies on display in the station.

            As we approached the cable car station we were dubious about the weather---what would it be like at 10,000-feet? However the station’s TV showed it clear at the top of Schiltorn. We quickly got our tickets. At the 8783-foot platform we changed cable cars. When we broke through the clouds our eyes feasted on the 200 peaks. It was clear and the views were spectacular. Actually a windbreaker jacket was all that was needed as it really wasn’t very cold.

            Eventually we entered the revolving restaurant, Piz Gloria, for lunch. Built in 1967, it is the site of James Bond’s movie In Her Majesty’s Service. The weather held so we enjoyed the views all through lunch. When once again down and back at the station the TV showed the top to be totally socked in. Talk about luck!

            In Lucerne we got the early train to Engleberg, meaning mountain of angels. We boarded gondolas at the rail station.  Half way up the 10,627’ Mt Titlis we changed from the small gondolas to the Rotair, the world’s only rotating gondola. It is a large stand up gondola whose floor rotates 360 degrees. Popping out of the clouds filled the car with ohs and ahs! Of course we had to play in the snow at the top. And again it was not as cold as one would think. After lunch we visited the 427-foot long ice cave constructed in1974-78. It takes 10 years for one meter of snow to become ice.

            After days of such spectacular scenery many of us thought it might be a ho-hum day for the all day train ride on the Glacier Express, so we all took a book to read. Oh my gosh—what a ride and no one even opened their book.

            The 8-mile long Furka Tunnel is the world’s longest narrow railway tunnel. The scenery was breathtaking over the Rhine Gorge and Overalp Pass. The chug up to the pass was very slow but afforded us a wonderful opportunity to see the wildflowers. Another long slow incline afforded us good views of where the track actually hung over the mountainside. The views remained eye catching all day.

            We enjoyed a scrumptious lunch in the dining car. I guess we dallied too long enjoying the company and conversation as the waiter appeared at the end of the table saying, “Thank you, bye. Thank you bye.” We got the message it was time to leave and head back to our car.

            Last June I had the opportunity to return to Switzerland to hike the Alps in the French speaking part of the country. Because of a late spring or an extended winter—however you want to look at it--- we actually hiked in some snow and slush. The scenery was still outstanding. After a few days we moved on to the Italian Alps and then on to the French Alps. This trip required walking sticks, and lots of undulations, some pretty steep, over narrow cow paths. A much different kind of trip, but a wonderful one.

            To me the Swiss Alps are the most scenic, but nothing can exceed that first hiking trip!