Costa Rica - Oil from dates, Carara National Park, Morpho butterflies

While heading south to Manuel Antonio we saw miles of palm trees, all lined up in rows, like a drill sergeant was in charge. Yes, our guide Elliot said, these are plantations. But they weren't harvesting coconuts, just dates. And these dates were then squeezed to produce oil - palm oil. Workers cut the dates using long poles, and then other workers collect the dates on the ground. While I'm talking Tico agriculture, I will also mention that our guide Clarence said the pineapples and bananas are not native to Costa Rica. The Internet confirms this. Bananas were first introduced in the 1800s, pineapple in the 1930s. If you want authentic, have a papaya.

Past the palm date oil plantations and past Crocodile Bridge (see previous post) is Carara National Park. Just $10 to enter, but you have to get your ticket online via the devilishly difficult SINAC site, and don't forget your passport number. We spent nearly as much time trying to buy our tickets as our short walk in the park. But we were rewarded with our best view yet of howler monkeys, an interested lizard, and one big male black iguana.

We also saw some fascinating trees: a tree with another tree wrapped around it; a tree with massive buttresses, and mangroves (see previous post). Plus some very interesting root structures. Carara contains two types of forests and attracts over 400 bird species, including macaws. But because we did not have time for a guide, we spotted one bird with our untrained eyes. Carara is worth a visit if you are in the area, but sit down with a cup of tea and good wifi the night before to buy your ticket.

Next I forced Steven to stop at arguably the largest souvenir shop in Costa Rica, in Orotina. It's called El Jardin, and not only does it contain a warehouse of souvenirs at very good prices, it also has a restaurant AND butterfly house. Steven stood around patiently while I selected some Costa Rican style tablecloths (alas, appear to have been made in India!) and some coasters (these marked made in Costa Rica) before we visited the butterfly house in the rear of the store. We were all alone to enjoy the Morpho butterflies. I was delighted to learn they have two outfits. When their wings are closed, they display an intricate brown pattern, like a moth. When they open their wings, the brilliant metallic blue appears that makes them so famous. Fascinating! Now we are headed to the airport in the capital city of San Jose, our lovely trip to Ticiquia nearly over.