Two hikes in 3 days! We are working on building stamina for the big hike up Chirripó. The natural beauty of our immediate area makes it enjoyable if not easy. Higher up on our neighborhood road, there are many fruit trees like mangos, guava, and the ice cream pod tree. All favorites of the local mono-titi troupe that tours about the area in search of food. This morning, they were enjoying their breakfast in the trees along the road.
We left a little later in the morning, 8 am. As the sun gets higher in the sky, the heat starts to pour on. This is a 3 hour hike so we are doing a lot of the steep elevations when the sun and humidity are building. We remembered to bring our water bottles this time.
Hydration is your friend. As we walked along a high pasture, we saw young coconut trees. Young coconuts are called "pipas." The shell is a bright yellow and they are rich with coconut water. The interior coconut flesh is gelatinous unlike the hard coconut meat of a mature coco. We found a stick and were able to knock one of the pipas off the tree. Coconuts have very hard shells. Mature coconuts have to be opened with machetes. Pipas can be opened with a jackknife that we carry with us. This pipa was one of the most refreshing drinks that we could enjoy. I'm afraid that I'm forever spoiled from drinking "store bought" coconut water.
Loving your descriptive stories. Thanks so much for sharing so I have a perspective that feels so close to you and Michael.
So great to see you so very alive and well and finding your way around in this first full blown change of season year. Your natural well being is flourishing...in spite of critters in the house and all the adjustments to fresh ice cream in thunderstorms! Plucking a young coconut is The Best. You are forever aware of The Real Deal! Yummm.
Your Hike sounds fantastic...all of them. Part of it is certainly getting ready. big hug. jeanne