Irazu

Irazu Volcano Crater

After a crazy day yesterday I woke up for another day of travels. Today we ascended 11,000 feet above sea level to the Irazu volcano the highest active volcano in Costa Rica. On a clear day you can see both the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, unfortunately we came on a cloudy day. When we first arrived the main crater wasn't visible so we walked the black sandy plans surrounding the volcano. It almost feels like you're in another world little vegetation clouds and fog all around. Finally, a breeze pushed the clouds away and we had a beautiful view of the main crater. At the center is a green crater lake called Diego de la Haya. The lake is colored because of algae and sulfur chemical reactions. The most famous eruption of this volcano began in 1963 when JFK arrived in San Jose for his tour of the country. This eruption lasted until 1965. The last eruption lasted only a day in 1994 and was contained to the national park causing minimal damage. This park was truly a spectacular to see.

Black Plains around the crater

Following Irazu we descended toward a local community for lunch. Coming down the sides of the volcano was one of the best views I've ever seen. Clouds hang below and around mountain tops as we descend. Crop fields and pastures dot the slops as cattle carefully keep their balance trying to graze a little. It is amazing how these people live. Along the way we stopped to buy homemade bread and organic strawberries from  families selling crops. The bread was amazing and these were some of the best strawberries I've ever had. They served them with sweet and condensed milk a tasty combination. While enjoying our treats we arrived at restaurant for lunch. 

The view descending the volcano

Lunch was at a eco-farm with all the food being grown organically and sustainably (the way of life in Costa Rica). I enjoyed a juicy chicken breast, light salad and mashed yuka (a potato like veggie). The food was amazing! For dessert we had ice cream with papaya mmm! The view from the restaurant was stunning overlooking the Orosi valley. 

We left the eco-farm and desended into the valley to visit an old catholic church built in the 1700s. Our stay was very short and we continued to another church in Cartago Costa Rica. This Basilica is the site of an important holiday in Costa Rica, Virgen de los Angeles. A statuette of a La Negrita (Black Virgin) was found at the site by an indigenous woman. When she tried to take it with her it reappeared from the spot she'd taken it. Since then the site has been considered holy. Each year on August 2nd, the day she was discovered, people form San Jose go on a pilgrimage by foot 22 km to the Basilica usually completing the journey on their knees. When I entered the Basilica people were walking down the main aisle on their knees to the main alter. A very interesting story. 

Perfect view to eat to

All in all today was much more relaxed than yesterday. The sites we saw were far closer to San Jose than Poas and the Doka Plantation. I also didn't sleep well last night and this busy schedule is catching up on me. 3 weeks left in San Jose and I am soaking up every moment. Next weekend I am going to Tirimbina Biological Reserve on the Caribbean side of the country for my Tropical Ecology class. Next weekend is also my birthday. I think this is going to be a VERY busy week.