It's early Saturday morning in Santa Elena. The local farmers market is in full force. I'd normally be there early in order to get first pick of the organic veggies. The local kids race about all through the marketplace. This morning I'm just kicking back at the house drinking coffee and making this journal entry. A bit later I'm planning on taking a yoga class and then probably going to play Ultimate Frisbee down at the school.
If your are ever in Monteverde on a Saturday morning, you should stop by the Friends School to play with us. If its raining, though, youre out of luck. Its a great way to meet the community here. Kids and adults from all over the mountain come together and get to run around and play. Its the only real exercise I get all week. Yoga doesnt really count.
Some friends from California are visiting today. They get in on the afternoon bus so theyll miss the game, but I have something even more exciting in store for them when they arrive. After leaving their bags at my place, up by the cheese factory, I am going to take them deep forest. I know some pretty good trails around here, trails that only the locals use to get from farm to farm, that cut through bits of dense jungle, with tremendous views of the Monteverde reserve.
Then, I am taking them on a zipline tour. I used to be a freelance guide for a couple of the local zipline companies, and I can think of no better way to show my friends the cloud forest. Seeing the forest from above, and having the freedom to soar over and through the canopy, was an experience that changed my life forever.. and is what has led me to live here.
To me there is something so primitive about being up so high in the trees. An instinctual fear arises at this height. These ancient trees are huge. The cloud forest is at 5000 feet.. From here the clouds race by and give you fleeting views of the pacific and of the lowland farms along the coast.
Then, you connect to another cable with your pulley and harness, and zip across to another tree platform, and youre standing in a Swiss Family Robinson/Tarzan setting, moss covered branches all around, the sound of a small creek running below, and small birds darting in and out of view From miles away you can hear the daunting call of the howler monkey.
At another platform you can see that each branch up here has a plethora of life surging on its surface. Small orchids, practically microscopic, cover large swaths of branches, and hanging moss provide a moist substrate for an array of multicolored bromeliads, each one a natural pitcher to capture the moisture in the air. Some of these provide shelter and protection for growing tadpoles.
The cloud forest is a magic place. Darkness and Light merge into a something similar to an underwater seascape. Its as if you are floating across an ocean of jungle at incredible speed, stopping at each platform to explore the endless lifescape of each parcel of jungle.. Each branch is brimming with life. Army ants, Stingless wasps, vicious toucans raid nests of blue warblers. The cloud forest offers much to be discovered.
If your are ever in Monteverde on a Saturday morning, you should stop by the Friends School to play with us. If its raining, though, youre out of luck. Its a great way to meet the community here. Kids and adults from all over the mountain come together and get to run around and play. Its the only real exercise I get all week. Yoga doesnt really count.
Some friends from California are visiting today. They get in on the afternoon bus so theyll miss the game, but I have something even more exciting in store for them when they arrive. After leaving their bags at my place, up by the cheese factory, I am going to take them deep forest. I know some pretty good trails around here, trails that only the locals use to get from farm to farm, that cut through bits of dense jungle, with tremendous views of the Monteverde reserve.
Then, I am taking them on a zipline tour. I used to be a freelance guide for a couple of the local zipline companies, and I can think of no better way to show my friends the cloud forest. Seeing the forest from above, and having the freedom to soar over and through the canopy, was an experience that changed my life forever.. and is what has led me to live here.
To me there is something so primitive about being up so high in the trees. An instinctual fear arises at this height. These ancient trees are huge. The cloud forest is at 5000 feet.. From here the clouds race by and give you fleeting views of the pacific and of the lowland farms along the coast.
Then, you connect to another cable with your pulley and harness, and zip across to another tree platform, and youre standing in a Swiss Family Robinson/Tarzan setting, moss covered branches all around, the sound of a small creek running below, and small birds darting in and out of view From miles away you can hear the daunting call of the howler monkey.
At another platform you can see that each branch up here has a plethora of life surging on its surface. Small orchids, practically microscopic, cover large swaths of branches, and hanging moss provide a moist substrate for an array of multicolored bromeliads, each one a natural pitcher to capture the moisture in the air. Some of these provide shelter and protection for growing tadpoles.
The cloud forest is a magic place. Darkness and Light merge into a something similar to an underwater seascape. Its as if you are floating across an ocean of jungle at incredible speed, stopping at each platform to explore the endless lifescape of each parcel of jungle.. Each branch is brimming with life. Army ants, Stingless wasps, vicious toucans raid nests of blue warblers. The cloud forest offers much to be discovered.
About the Author:
Daniel Q. Floyd is an expat action enthusiast getting to know Canopy Tours , both on the coast and in the mountains. At present he is in the cloud forest, hiking, farming fungii, relaxing, and hanging around on his favorite Zip Line.
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