Costa Rica

It is my last night in Costa Rica. For those of you who are interested, here is something I wrote my first night here.

Hola Amigos! Estoy en Costa Rica con mi familia. Our first destination is Dantica Lodge, a true eco-lodge located in the cloud forest of the Los Santos Forest Reserve in the Central Valley Region of Costa Rica. The restaurant and gift shop have the appearance of an art gallery, with glass table tops covering sheets of coffee beans, and walls made of glass and stained glass, framing the surrounding forested mountains. The rooms, 1 to 9, are situated on top of a cliff with a wall of glass facing the forest. Other highlights of the room are a private balcony and a jacuzzi tub with a beautiful view. A lit stone trail connects the rooms along a 100 meter path. The lodge follows a motto of green outside and green inside - hot water is heated with solar energy, all waste is recycled, and water is provided from a nearby mountain stream. The clearing already existed, and the hotel was constructed without cutting a single tree. Building materials were carried by man and horse in order not to open a road.
During the day we hike on the private trails down to the river, and in the evenings we drink red wine and watch the clouds roll over the treetops. For dinner we walk along the quiet, dark road and gaze at a million stars. The shy, pretty owner of the small restaurant Dona Mirian begins serving food as we sit down. Trout, caught by her father at a nearby stream just three hours before is the main course. A glass pitcher of fresh-squeezed blackberry juice, picked from her familys farm sits in the center of the table. Sides of boiled potatoes and corn, black beans, fried plantains, salad, and rice are cooked with a tasty yet unfamiliar seasoning. The meal ends with a cup of candied pear, sweet breads, and peppermint tea.
After our wholesome meal we walk down the hill and along the trail to our room in the still, cool night air. We ignore the television set and reach for our books, trying to obey one of the ethics of the Dantica Lodge - Respect towards nature and silence.

Ethics Code of Dantica Lodge -

responsibility
honesty
respect towards guests, owners, companions
Respect towards nature and silence
Discretion
Cooperation
Dedication, perseverance
common sense