Picture: Typical cloud forest view
The Monte Verde Tropical Cloud Forest Reserve is a truly wondrous place. This old growth reserve is a teeming mass of different hues of green that crowd the narrow trails on each side and above. I’ve never seen so many different types of ferns, palms, trees, vines, bushes, and flowers including 100’s of types of plants that extract all their moisture needs directly from the air. Strange bird calls echoed in the perpetual twilight and water dripped constantly from the canopy way above our heads. The place had an earthy nurturing feel to it; a kind of green embrace. It felt as though we were traveling back in time to the land time forgot. As with other cloud forests we’ve visited so far, the racing clouds kept the temperatures cool. Then the rain began.
It rained and rained. Then rained some more. We all had ponchos, but ended up soaked on the inside due to the humidity and exercise. After a while, we voted to end our hike and return to the visitor’s center for a hot drink and something sweet to eat. Liam suffered particularly on the way back due to his wet long pants which were whicking the heat away from his body. It took a long time for him to warm up in the visitor’s center as they had the AC blasting. However, I felt fortunate to have have experienced such a wonderful forest. I also understand why native peoples in the jungle tend to wear hardly any clothes. It’s better to let skin dry rather than wait for clothes to dry which takes forever in the high humidity.
On our drive back to the B&B, we stopped at a roadside craft center which offered a few different boutiques. We had a cup of tea and reflected that Monte Verde seems to have a more spiritual and natural vibe than nearby Santa Elena. It’s more of a collection of houses, boutiques, and hotels. In the afternoon we dried out and took a nap to recharge before heading out to a small, cheap restaurant in town for pizza. Next up is Arenal/La Fortuna. We’re to stay at a working coffee plantation with seemingly no way to cook our food cheaply (too expensive to eat at the on-site restaurant). Darn. Will pack some emergency supplies and look for things that can be eaten without cooking. So long cloud forest! Pura Vida!
