Costa Rica - Day 3 (1/21/2016)

Once again, our third day started with a bus ride through San Jose on our way to a wildlife rescue center in La Garita.  We saw many American-based  operations along the way, such as WalMart, McDonald's, KFC, etc.  There were also some very colorful walls covered with artistic graffiti, and a large indoor shopping mall.

Graffiti-covered wall

City Mall

Founded in the late 1980's, Zoo Ave's mission is to rehabilitate and care for Costa Rica's injured, orphaned and mistreated wildlife. More of a wildlife refuge than a zoo, the park does not purchase animals; the Costa Rican government, rescue organizations and individuals have donated every Zoo Ave resident. - See more at: http://costarica.com/attractions/zoo-ave/#sthash.pTsd8o0D.dpuf

Founded in the late 1980's, Zoo Ave's mission is to rehabilitate and care for Costa Rica's injured, orphaned and mistreated wildlife. More of a wildlife refuge than a zoo, the park does not purchase animals; the Costa Rican government, rescue organizations and individuals have donated every Zoo Ave resident. - See more at: http://costarica.com/attractions/zoo-ave/#sthash.pTsd8o0D.dpuf

Founded in the late 1980's, Zoo Ave's mission is to rehabilitate and care for Costa Rica's injured, orphaned and mistreated wildlife. More of a wildlife refuge than a zoo, the park does not purchase animals; the Costa Rican government, rescue organizations and individuals have donated every Zoo Ave resident. - See more at: http://costarica.com/attractions/zoo-ave/#sthash.pTsd8o0D.dpuf

Founded in the late 1980's, Zoo Ave's mission is to rehabilitate and care for Costa Rica's injured, orphaned and mistreated wildlife. More of a wildlife refuge than a zoo, the park does not purchase animals; the Costa Rican government, rescue organizations and individuals have donated every Zoo Ave resident. - See more at: http://costarica.com/attractions/zoo-ave/#sthash.pTsd8o0D.dpuf

 Called Zoo Avenue, the wildlife rescue center was founded more than twenty-five years ago to rehabilitate and care for injured, orphaned or mistreated wildlife.  Every animal has been donated by the government, rescue organizations and individuals.  More than 250 species can be seen at the center.  Unfortunately for photography, most animals are behind wire fences or cages, making it difficult to get photos without wires being noticeable.  I did not take notes of names, so some of the photos below are of animals I do not know.

 

Macaws

Emu

Iguana

????

Albino Squirrel

????

????

???? Monkey

White-faced Monkey

Peacock

Macaw

Macaw

 On our way to Sarchi, we passed several sugarcane plantations, of which there are approximately 7000 in Costa Rica.  Thirteen processing plants produce huge quantities of sugar for export, much of it to the U.S.  Harvesting is still done by hand in many cases, although there is growing use of mechanical harvesters.

Sugarcane field

 Traditionally, Costa Ricans use oxcarts for many purposes, such as harvesting sugarcane, coffee, pineapples, etc, in addition to general purpose hauling.  Some of the finest oxcarts are produced by artisans working in Sarchi, where we were given an interesting tour and lunch. The colorful oxcarts are not only a significant art form, but a treasured part of Costa Rican culture.  This shop also produces many other wooden products, such as furniture and souvenirs for sale in their store.

Small oxcart

Artisan painting oxcart wheel.

Wheels in the Mens room.

 The town of Zarcero is famous for its beautiful church, Iglesia de San Rafael, and the topiary in the adjoining park.  Nearly 70% of the Costa Rican population is Roman Catholic and almost every town has a beautiful church.

Iglesia de San Rafael

Church interior

Topiary, cart and ox

Restaurant, bakery and ice cream shop with apartment above.

Appliance store

Typical residential area near  Fortuna.

Farm community

 Heading toward Arenal Springs Resort, where we will spend two nights, we can see that Arenal Volcano is obscured by clouds.  The probability of a clear view is said to be only 30%.  This volcano has been active for 7000 years, although its most recent activity started in 1968, when 87 people were killed and three small villages buried.  Since 2010, there has been a period of rest, but it could resume eruptions on short notice.  Our resort is at the base of the 5500 foot mountain.

Arenal Volcano

Double casita at Arenal Springs Resort.

 Hot springs from the vocano are channeled into a series of pools descending the hillside, with hotter water at the top and each succeeding pool less warm until the large main pool is not warm at all.

Part of main pool.

One of the upper pools

One of several waterfalls,

Sunset