Early morning bus ride through the fog, the world is a blur of gray and green. We're off to visit a Cloud Forest!
Founded in 1972 by the local Quaker community and scientist from the Tropical Science Center, the Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve is an ecotourism destination working to preserve one of the last tracts of Cloud Forest in Central America. For over 50 years this reserve has been fighting to protect one of the most endangered ecosystems, as only 1% of all remaining forests are classified as Cloud Forests.
Only a limited number of visitors are allowed into the reserve each day and a reservation is required as well as a $25 entry fee. I was initially shocked by the fee, being so used to hiking as one of the main activities my friends and I have always opted for since it was free. However, I quickly realized that this fee, along with the limited number of visitors allowed, means the priority is protecting the ecosystem.
We hiked on well-maintained trails through thick jungle. Every tree was an ecosystem itself housing a multitude of other plant species. The fern trees were particularly fascinating!
Also, these pink ferns:
And this blue(ish) moss:
We hiked up to the continental divide view, but the clouds were so thick we couldn't see past the trees right in front of us! Then we took the trail to a waterfall. The trail was a bit trecherous and steep, but we had it all to ourselves and were engulfed in the hushed mystery of the forest.
We headed out of the forest after the waterfall and went to the cafe right next to the entrance of the reserve. A sign was posted at the bottom of the stair going up that said:
Free Hummingbird Gallery
I have never seen so.... many...hummingbirds! Or been in danger of them!
The hummingbird gallery was simple small clearing with three feeders, and armies of hummingbirds competing for the nectar. We had to dodge out of the way of the different species fighting each other off the feeders! We even saw (but more heard, the little buggers are so incredibly fast) two fly into each other with loud pop noise. The birds were really scared of the people watching them allowing us to get some amazing close ups, and Elijah (being the rebel and rule braker that he is) the chance to touch the tip of one's tail right next to large sign next to him that said DO NOT TOUCH THE BIRDS
We went home filled by the mystery and magic of hummingbirds and cloud forest. Finishing the day off with dinner in a tree.
We were fortunate to also visit a cloud forest in Guatemala..Samuck Champe..we have named one of the trails down on the Red River after it..
It had mineral pools all over the area where we spent the nite& in the morning around 4-5, we rode back to our bus while all the workers were getting on our open-aired transport & shared the sight of the fog lifting off the clouds & that world going from dark to light..a forever memory ..
We r lovin sharing your current world & adventures vicariously..
WOW!!!! What a wonderful adventure you are having! Absolutely love being able to follow you two.. Thanks for sharing with us!!!
We have had exactly the same experience at Monteverde! That cafe has the best coffee I have ever had! If you go to the reserve entrance (but don’t go in) at dawn, there’s a good chance of seeing one of the most magnificent birds in the world, the resplendent quetzal. And the tree restaurant is SO fun!!