Friday, November 16, 2007
Day 3: Turrubares- Journey Home
It was another beautiful morning in Turrubares, and I wasn’t prepared to leave our quiet retreat at Ama Tierra. I met Rayna for a breakfast of gallo pinto, fruit and more of that delicious bread, and then packed up my bags for the trip home. Before we left, Jill gave us a quick tour of Ama Tierra’s new yoga pavilion currently under construction. Perched on the hillside with panoramic mountain views, the octagonal yoga sala was designed (with feng shui in mind) to promote harmony and energy balance.
We joined Jill on a short walk through the herb garden, munching on spicy arugula and fresh basil.
Stocked up on aromatic herbs, we said goodbye to our wonderful hosts. I looked forward to another relaxing stay at Ama Tierra Hotel and Retreat.
Contact Info:
Ama Tierra Hotel & Retreat
Tel. in Costa Rica: 506-419-0110
Toll Free: 1-866-659-3805
Email: info@amatierra.com
www.amatierra.com
Thursday, November 15, 2007
Day 2: Turrubares – The Ultimate Superman “Sensational Cable” at Turu Ba Ri
Accompanied by birdsong and the sunrise, I savored a languid morning on the patio with a cup of coffee. It was 5 a.m. and I felt completely refreshed and ready for our early yoga session by the pool. Jill led Rayna and me through a series of Hatha yoga poses that emphasized breathing and stretching, and we worked up a little sweat transitioning from one posture to the next. The sun was brilliant and, as we sat in half-lotus, I admired the serene mountain view
s.An appetizing breakfast of homemade wheat bread, fresh fruits and hearty oatmeal with walnuts and goji berries (a super-food rich in antioxidants) was served on the deck. Rayna and I fueled up on healthy goodness for a full day of adventure at Turu Ba Ri Tropical Park.
Set on 600 acres of rainforest and landscaped trails, Turu Ba Ri is a must for both nature lovers and adventure enthusiasts. Its expansive grounds include an aerial tram, zip-line canopy tour (with Tarzan Swing), an insanely-steep rappelling wall, botanical gardens, barnyard area and horse ranch. The park straddles Carara National Park and the Tarcoles River, home to large numbers of giant American crocodiles.
One of Turu Ba Ri’s biggest draws is its one-kilometer “sensational cable” where visitors fly Superman-style some 300 feet above the ground. I have to admit that I wasn’t thrilled with the idea at first. There was something slightly unsettling about being wrapped up like a burrito, a sort of human torpedo hurtling through the sky above a river full of crocodiles. I was relieved when Rayna agreed to try it, after a little persuading by our enthusiastic host, Marco. First we boarded the aerial tram for a scenic ride over the Tarcoles River. From there, we were whisked away by golf cart on a personalized tour of the park’s major attractions. Our first stop
was the iguana farm, where love was in the air. A giant male iguana bobbed his head wildly in an effort to woo the ladies, which apparently did the trick. We left the love den and made our way to bromeliad and orchid gardens, where hundreds of tropical plants thrived under shade tents.
Marco led us through a warren of nature trails flanked by giant ceiba, monkey tail and ironwood trees. We walked through palm and bamboo collections and tried our luck in an extremely confusing labyrinth. As we toured the butterfly garden that housed over 25 species, I noted that even on busy days, the park is so immense that you rarely encounter other tour groups along the way.Our next stop was the trapiche, or sugar cane press, where giant oxen powered the mill just as they have for hundreds of years. We sampled
the cloyingly sweet sugar cane juice while visiting the farm area where goats, pheasants, turkeys, chickens and peacocks roamed about. After a hearty lunch at the park’s “tipico” restaurant, we made our way to the zip-line canopy tour. The adventure was about to begin! The canopy tour was definitely one of the best I’ve experienced in Costa Rica.
The cables were incredibly long and well above the canopy layer, allowing stunning views of the valley and surrounding mountains. We clipped in and zoomed from one platform to the next, our
guides stopping us at the last minute with an external braking system.They even had a double zip-line, where Rayna and I raced parallel to each other some 200 feet above the ground. As much he tried, Marco couldn’t coax Rayna or me into trying the Tarzan Swing, a bungee-type jump from a 60-foot platform.
The phrase “free fall” sealed the deal for us both, but we watched Marco and another guest scream in excitement (terror?) as they leapt into the a
ir, first free-falling and then swinging at speeds of 30 mph. Now that the adrenaline had kicked in, the Superman cable didn’t seem such a bad idea. We climbed a small tower to the launching pad where three guides awaited us with knowing smiles. We laughed as we climbed into giant full-body harnesses that were reminiscent of x-ray smocks. Rayna was the first to go, and she let out a scream as they pushed her
into the wide abyss.Heart thumping, I crawled onto the launching pad, where I was clipped and basically hog-tied to the cable. I was soon flying 300 feet above the Tarcoles River, reaching speeds of 40 mph. The initial 20 seconds were nothing short of shocking, but as my fear was replaced with an adrenaline-fueled glee, I thrust my arms forward like Supergirl and smiled for the camera.
We thanked Marco for an incredible day at Turu Ba Ri Tropical Park. On our next visit, I hoped to ride horseback along the park’s mountain trails. Maybe I’d even try the Tarzan Swing.
Rayna and I returned to Ama Tierra Hotel and Retreat in time for a Jacuzzi soak and a glass of wine before dinner. We dined on delicious spinach and cheese enchiladas along with steamed vegetables and devoured frozen choco-coconut fruit kebabs for dessert. We chatted with Jill about our day’s adventures before retiring for some much needed rest.
Contact Info:
Turu Ba Ri Tropical Park
Tel: 506-250-0705
Email: info@turubari.com
www.turubari.com
Ama Tierra Hotel & Retreat
Tel. in Costa Rica: 506-419-0110
Toll Free: 1-866-659-3805
Email: info@amatierra.com
www.amatierra.com
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Day 1: Turrubares – Health and Wellness at Ama Tierra Hotel & Retreat
A massage. There are few things I love more. I rank them up there with a fine bottle of wine, Belgian dark chocolate and long, indulgent soaks in the tub. Combine a good massage with fresh organic food, daily yoga and peaceful mountain views, and you have a recipe for the perfect getaway.So, when asked to accompany my co-worker Rayna to a wellness retreat not far from my Central Valley home, I jumped at the chance. We were headed to Ama Tierra Hotel and Retreat, located near the small pueblo of Turrubares, an hour west of San Jose.
Owned and operated by clinical herbalist/ yoga instructor Jill and her husband Bob, Ama Tierra is an intimate mountain sanctuary complete with private bungalows, an infinity pool and several hiking trails. More than just a hotel, Ama Tierra is also a wellness center where travelers can
rejuvenate their bodies with massages and healthy meals or kick-start the New Year with a customized week-long detox.
The center takes a holistic approach to health and offers individualized programs including nutrition counseling, body work and sound therapy.
Rayna and I drove from my home in Atenas, along the winding mountain road through San Mateo and Orotina, following signs to Turrubares.
Ama Tierra is 14 kilometers beyond Turu Ba Ri Tropical Park, and is perched some 2000 feet above sea level on a mountainside. We were greeted warmly upon arrival and ushered in for a natural juice before tucking in to a homemade Costa Rican-style lunch.
We dined on an open-air veranda with spectacular views of the Central Valley. The air was fresh and crisp, and I lamented the fact that I’d forgotten my bathing suit when I saw a group of women practicing yoga by the pool. After lunch we were escorted to our “casitas” or bungalows which were cleverly designed to afford maximum privacy and seclusion.
Each bungalow has a living area with TV and DVD player, as well as a coffee maker and fridge. I appreciated the nice touches like fresh milk in the fridge (for those who can’t stand powdered creamer), and hand-made coconut soaps wrapped in banana leaves.
I was eyeing my Jacuzzi tub when I remembered that it was nearly time for our afternoon massages. Long hours hunched in front of the computer had left Rayna and me with knotted backs and shoulders, so a deep-tissue massage was exactly what we needed.
Over a fresh-baked fruit and granola crisp, I spoke with Jill about the newly formed Ama Tierra Foundation, which aims to promote sustainable tourism by giving back to the local community.
I was particularly inspired by the foundation’s first project, a local recycling program that aims to curtail the practice of burning trash so prevalent in rural Costa Rica. The foundation aspires to empower the local residents of
Turrubares, and to provide them with information and education while supporting cultural tourism.
I bid goodnight to our engaging hosts, as it was getting late and we had an exciting day ahead of us. My casita was silent except for the chirps of night frogs and crickets outside my window. I crawled into bed and was fast asleep in minutes.
Contact Info:
Ama Tierra Hotel & Retreat
Tel. in Costa Rica: 506-419-0110
Toll Free: 1-866-659-3805
Email: info@amatierra.com
www.amatierra.com
Owned and operated by clinical herbalist/ yoga instructor Jill and her husband Bob, Ama Tierra is an intimate mountain sanctuary complete with private bungalows, an infinity pool and several hiking trails. More than just a hotel, Ama Tierra is also a wellness center where travelers can
rejuvenate their bodies with massages and healthy meals or kick-start the New Year with a customized week-long detox.The center takes a holistic approach to health and offers individualized programs including nutrition counseling, body work and sound therapy.
Rayna and I drove from my home in Atenas, along the winding mountain road through San Mateo and Orotina, following signs to Turrubares.
Ama Tierra is 14 kilometers beyond Turu Ba Ri Tropical Park, and is perched some 2000 feet above sea level on a mountainside. We were greeted warmly upon arrival and ushered in for a natural juice before tucking in to a homemade Costa Rican-style lunch.
We dined on an open-air veranda with spectacular views of the Central Valley. The air was fresh and crisp, and I lamented the fact that I’d forgotten my bathing suit when I saw a group of women practicing yoga by the pool. After lunch we were escorted to our “casitas” or bungalows which were cleverly designed to afford maximum privacy and seclusion.
Each bungalow has a living area with TV and DVD player, as well as a coffee maker and fridge. I appreciated the nice touches like fresh milk in the fridge (for those who can’t stand powdered creamer), and hand-made coconut soaps wrapped in banana leaves.
I was eyeing my Jacuzzi tub when I remembered that it was nearly time for our afternoon massages. Long hours hunched in front of the computer had left Rayna and me with knotted backs and shoulders, so a deep-tissue massage was exactly what we needed.It was nearly dusk when I met massage therapist Alejandra in Ama Tierra’s candle-lit treatment room. I cocooned my body in warm cotton sheets, anticipating an invigorating massage. She misted my skin with a light cinnamon spray before kneading my tired muscles with a lavender-infused cream. The relaxing aroma combined with her expert technique lulled me into a twilight sleep, as she released all of the stress I had been storing in my body.
I left Alejandra feeling revitalized and amazingly limber. It was time for a leisurely soak in my Jacuzzi tub. A bit later, I met Rayna and other guests for a warming glass of Chilean cabernet sauvignon in the lounge area. The night was cool and clear, and we could see the sparkling city lights across the valley.
Bob and Jill joined us for a healthy and delicious dinner of coconut-encrusted mahi mahi topped with a savory pineapple salsa.
I left Alejandra feeling revitalized and amazingly limber. It was time for a leisurely soak in my Jacuzzi tub. A bit later, I met Rayna and other guests for a warming glass of Chilean cabernet sauvignon in the lounge area. The night was cool and clear, and we could see the sparkling city lights across the valley.
Bob and Jill joined us for a healthy and delicious dinner of coconut-encrusted mahi mahi topped with a savory pineapple salsa.
Over a fresh-baked fruit and granola crisp, I spoke with Jill about the newly formed Ama Tierra Foundation, which aims to promote sustainable tourism by giving back to the local community.
I was particularly inspired by the foundation’s first project, a local recycling program that aims to curtail the practice of burning trash so prevalent in rural Costa Rica. The foundation aspires to empower the local residents of
Turrubares, and to provide them with information and education while supporting cultural tourism.I bid goodnight to our engaging hosts, as it was getting late and we had an exciting day ahead of us. My casita was silent except for the chirps of night frogs and crickets outside my window. I crawled into bed and was fast asleep in minutes.
Contact Info:
Ama Tierra Hotel & Retreat
Tel. in Costa Rica: 506-419-0110
Toll Free: 1-866-659-3805
Email: info@amatierra.com
www.amatierra.com
