This was a very long but relatively uneventful day in transit. Although physically challenging at times, this was a great trip. I enjoyed everything I saw and experienced on this Panama Canal – Costa Rica tour, and it’s one I’ll never forget.

We drove to the Hacienda Doka for a presentation on coffee, from picking the cherries to roasting them, followed by (what else?) shopping for goodies.

We went on to La Paz Waterfall Gardens for a buffet lunch and a tour of the wildlife exhibits. It was a wonderful opportunity to see tropical birds and butterflies up close and personal.

Our day ended with our farewell reception and dinner at our hotel, the Costa Rica Marriott, where these photos were taken. I made an early exit as I had to get up before 5 AM to make my flight back home.

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• Hacienda Doka

• La Paz Waterfall Gardens

We disembarked our ship in the morning and drove to the town of Sarchi for a visit to a woodworking shop (and shopping), followed by lunch in the beautiful Else Kientzler Botanical Garden.

We then drove to San Jose and toured the National Theater of Costa Rica and the Pre-Columbian Gold Museum before arriving at our hotel.

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• Else Kientzler Botanical Garden

• San Jose City Tour

Day 7 was a leisurely day at sea. I attended two lectures – “Darien: A look at the past of this legendary region” and “Costa Rica – Wild and Green”.

Day 8, in contrast, was active and started with a mangrove cruise in the morning in Quepos. I got great pictures of a capuchin monkey and a few photos of herons and sandpipers.

We went back to the ship for lunch and then returned to Quepos in the afternoon for a hike through the Rainmaker Forest.

Day 9 was a leisurely day and our last day on the ship. I watched a documentary “The Wildlife of Costa Rica”. We enjoyed a Farewell Cocktail Party and Dinner in the evening.

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• Quepos Mangrove Cruise and the Rainmaker Forest