December 7th, 2012

Today we went on a guided tour through the Santa Elena Reserve. This reserve wasn’t as big as the Monteverde reserve but it was just as alluring. It was green and lush and the hike was sublime. There was moss and flowers growing on almost every tree.  The clouds would drift in the slopes and basically give the plants the water they require. The vines and dangling roots would sweep across the trails. You could hear  birds and other animals echoing through the forest. At the highest point you could get an overlook of the volcanoes and clouds that roamed among the forest.

After or hike through the Santa Elena reserve we went on one of their famous Don Juan coffee and chocolate tour. The tour was two hours and started at one of the coffee shops at the plantation.  We learned the processes of planting and drying  coffee plants. Since it was in season we got to participate in the rip coffee picking. We saw the grinder house and saw all the different methods used to grind the coffee. We were told the history behind the coffee, chocolate, and sugar cane they produce.  After the tour we headed home but stopped at one of the little restaurants and had dinner. It was a long and exhausting but rather enjoyable day.

(Map of the Santa Elena trail)

(Water fall at Santa Elena)

(View from the highest point)

(Part of the coffee and chocolate tour)

(A picture of one of the local restaurants in the town)