NCL Port: Puerto Limon, Costa Rica

My family and I recently went on a 10 night cruise, over Christmas 2016, on Norwegian Cruise Line.  The itinerary was Miami –> Aruba –> Cartagena, Columbia –> Panama Canal / Gatun Lake –> Colon, Panama –> Puerto Limon, Costa Rica –> Miami.

This last post is about Puerto Limon, Costa Rica!

For this trip my mum, sister and I booked a trip to Tortuguero National Park and Cacao Trails chocolate tour in Cahuita.

First up was a boat tour of the canals of Tortuguero National Park.  Plenty of wildlife to see here, including sloths, caiman, plant life, and lots of birds!

Tortuguero National Park

caiman!
caiman!

Tortuguero National Park

sloth!
sloth!

Tortuguero National Park Tortuguero National Park

bats!
bats!

There was also a coast guard station along the tour which included piles of small boats which had been numbered.  Turns out these boats were seized from drug runners just off the coast of Limon.

Tortuguero National Park

After this boat ride, we were given some delicious fruit of pineapple, papaya and watermelon before we headed off for the long drive to Cahuita.  On the way, we saw white faced capuchins.  Unfortunately, they were too hidden in the trees to get a good photo, but even the tour guide was impressed to have seem them at all.

At the chocolate place, called Cacao Trails, we were taken on a walk through their gardens to look at the different plants and talk about how the cacao plant is grown.  We saw more howler monkeys and sloths here too.  Then we were given a demonstration of how to make the chocolate.  This included tasting the raw cacao bean directly from the pod, as well as roasted cacao and then the final product which was delicious!  I purchased some roasted beans so I can attempt to make some myself 🙂

Cacao Trails, Cahuita Cacao Trails, Cahuita

 

*All photos are the property of Charlotte Moore, unless stated otherwise, and may not be used without written consent

My Thailand Series: Markets of Bangkok

Before I get into the various markets that we visited, I wanted to mention a hidden gem in Bangkok.  It’s a restaurant called Harmonique, which is hidden down an alley, not far from our hotel.  As with most restaurants, it’s quite cheap. At nighttime, it has a great ambiance as its tucked under a beautiful banyan tree.

Harmonique Restaurant, Bangkok Harmonique Restaurant, Bangkok

On our first day, even though we were super jet lagged, we decided to head off exploring the area.  We came across an amazing flower market.  The ladies were making flower arrangements for people to purchase as offerings at the temples.

Flower Market, Bangkok

Flower Market, Bangkok

Flower Market, BangkokFlower Market, Bangkok

We also visited a food market as well.  Plenty of things to look at and plenty of cats too!

Market, Bangkok

Market, Bangkok

Market, Bangkok

Market, Bangkok

We also visited the Samut Songkram railway market.  This country market was particularly fascinating as the market is built on the railway tracks.  When the train comes, all of the merchants pick up their things and move them back to allow the train to pass.  It appeared to be almost choreographed with the umbrellas lifting up, right as the train passed through.

Samut Songkram, Railway Market, Bangkok

Samut Songkram, Railway Market, Bangkok

This is the train station, where we watched the train come through the market.

Samut Songkram, Railway Market, Bangkok

Samut Songkram, Railway Market, Bangkok

Next up, we went to the famous Damnoen Saduak floating market.  We cruised through the klongs (canals) on a longtail boat, James Bond style!

Damnoen Saduak floating market, Bangkok

Damnoen Saduak floating market, Bangkok

Damnoen Saduak floating market, BangkokYum, fried bananas!

Damnoen Saduak floating market, Bangkok

 The next post will cover the ancient city of Ayutthaya!

*All photos are the property of Charlotte Moore, unless stated otherwise, and may not be used without written consent.