It’s sad to think it has been nearly four years now since we made the move back from Costa Rica. Since that time we have planned and been unable to revisit our second home on two separate occasions, both due to natural disasters.
In the past few days I have been going through photo files and reminiscing about our very special experiences there. I loved the photography opportunities almost as much as the people and all the unique places we were able to visit.
As I explore more files I will share more of our time there since many of my new friends here didn’t know me back in 2012 when I first began this blog as a way to share our lives in the beautiful country of Pura Vida!
Once upon a time in Costa Rica, we visited a spice farm named Villa Vanilla Spice Farm. As it happens, this tour was one of the first we took on our original journey to Costa Rica, long before we made the move. Once we lived there I had the opportunity to revisit the farm with my best friend when she came to visit us.
The farm grows orchids, which include the vanilla plant, which is actually an orchid. They also grow various bromiliads, cacao trees, carambola (star fruit), peppercorn plants and ceylon cinnamon trees. Ceylon Cinnamon is known as true cinnamon and is the variety you need for real cinnamon health benefits for blood pressure and blood sugar control. The best part of the tour is learning how the owners and workers grow, harvest and prepare these natural plants for consumption. Tasting was fun too. Near the end of the tour, there is a treehouse with a magnificent view where the tour ends with chocoalate and cinnamon specialty coffees, vanilla cookies and a very special mandarin lime cheesecake. Heaven!
Take a walk with me and I’ll share a few photos with you.
And at the end, with the heat finally taking hold, we climb to the patio of the “treehouse” for a cool breeze, tasty treats and a breathtaking view. If you make it to the Manuel Antonio/Quepos area, this tour is one of the traditional ones but well worth the time and sweating.
I could sit there all day……and you can when you live there. 😉💕
Dreaming Reality 
12 responses to “Once Upon a Time in Paradise”
We visited this same place when our daughter took me to Costa Rica some years ago!, I found it online and thought it sounded like fun. She wasn’t so sure but ended up loving it, too. It’s an amazing place!!
janet
LikeLike
It really is! For awhile we ordered vanilla and spices from there but you can’t get them shipped here any longer. 😞
LikeLike
😦 Have to go back, I guss.
LikeLike
We keep trying…
LikeLiked by 1 person
When they invent a personal air conditioner, I’d love to go. I don’t mind being warm, but I’m prone to heat exhaustion/stroke, so it’s prolly a good idea for me to limit my visits to virtual ones. Thank you for so generously sharing your beloved second home!
LikeLike
Well if you check out the rainy season, which is not like monsoon rainy, the temps are better, pleasant 70’s. The highest temps near the beach are between Jan to May, with April being about the worst. Of course if you go into the mountain areas (my favorites) the daytimes are in the low 70’s and nights are in the low to mid 40’s. Beautiful!
LikeLiked by 1 person
That sounds perfect! Bot fly, though.
LikeLike
Of course!
LikeLike
That sounded heavenly! And tasty. I learned lots.
LikeLike
PS I have the cheesecake recipe. I just made one recently. 😊
LikeLike
I can see why you loved it there, it’s so beautiful. I do hope you make it back for a visit.
LikeLike
Thanks Dan. There are a few places my heart would love to visit before it becomes impossible.
LikeLiked by 1 person