I just returned from my first-ever trip to Central America (okay, I’m ignoring the several trips I’ve taken to Mexico). Costa Rica, to be precise.  A wonderful trip with a Road Scholar group, which made it “extra” compared to the “beach and bistro” vacations taken by many.

Road Scholar trips are vacation tours with an educational “wrapper.”  The trips include lectures and activities that are geared to enhancing one’s knowledge of an area, history, culture, people and more. All transportation, lodging, meals and tips are included.

There were lectures on Costa Rica’s history, biological corridors, chocolate, insects and bats, Quaker settlers, butterflies, coffee and more.  Many of these lectures were performed while touring.

Arenal Volcano

Costa Rica’s major exports are pineapples and bananas, but their coffee is right up there with the world’s best!

Coffee Plantation

Did somebody say pineapples?  A visit to a pineapple plantation yielded lots of information, not to mention tasty bites and drinks.  Take-away:  Pineapples are picked ripe and cooled to 45° immediately, where they will stay fresh for up to 40 days.  Pineapples in your grocery are already fresh — no need to poke, punch, pull or tilt.

Pineapples nearing picking freshness

Costa Rica is one of the densest bio-diverse areas on earth.  It’s a haven for researchers and scientists.

Blue Morpho Butterfly

I attended a fascinating lecture and demonstration on insects and bats.  A side trip to a hummingbird sanctuary was included.

Hummingbirds are everywhere!

I’m still reviewing photographs, so I may post a follow-up to this article.  But for now, Road Scholar has gone five-for-five in my satisfaction rating!