Being in Costa Rica for quite a while, I haven’t woken up any later than 5.30 in the morning, so far. Normally I am not an early bird but in Costa it seems to be different with me.

Because of that it was no problem on Saturday to get up even earlier.

My hosts, Sabine and Peter, wanted to use their weekend time to show me volcanos and many other nice places. I’m very thankful for the fact that they use their leisure time to show their beautiful country to me.

Our first stop was a breakfast place on the way to the first volcano on our trip.

They served the typical Costa Rican breakfast, Gallo Pinto, which is a dish consisting of rice and beans. Mostly they serve scrambled eggs, tortillas and plátano maduro, which are sweet plantains, with it.

Continuing our drive to the volcano, we stopped every now and then to have an outside look on the nice view.

Our way led us through the area which is called Tierra Blanca (that means white soil in English). There are a lot of agricultural fields of onions, potatoes and collards.

We were also able to see the active volcano Turrialba, which is the second highest volcano in Costa Rica, from a distance.

It took us quite some hours of driving till we arrived at our first destination: the volcano Irazú.

With 3432 m, the Irazú is Costa Rica’s highest volcano and is said to be one of the most unpredictable ones.

It is important to visit the volcanos as early as possible to be able to see them clearly. During the day there are mostly clouds or fog covering the nice view up.

On clear days it is even possible to see both, the Pacific and the Caribbean Sea.

The Irazú has an acid lake in its crater which looks so unnaturally blue that you cannot believe that this is made by nature only.

Looking around sometimes the contrast between the dark and dusty surface and its colourful plants seems like a part of a fairytale.

We made our way up to the very top to have a look from up there and the view was incredible.

Even though there were many clouds already, it was interesting how different this place looks like compared to all I have had seen of Costa Rica so far.

And it was not only the view but also the climate. Up there it was so cold that for the first time in Costa Rica I had to wear a pullover.

After the high and fresh start into the day we went on to see the ruins of Orosi.

On the way I spotted a type of plantation I have never seen in that way before.

It looks like one closed field on a hill but when you come closer you can see that it is not growing directly on the ground. You can actually have a look underneath the roof made of leaves.

The plant which grows there is called Chayote. It is a curcubit and its fruits are common vegetables in Costa Rica.

Arriving at the ruins of Orosi we spend some time in the nice garden. Where you could find many different types of plants and animals.

Our next stop was the “House of the Dreamer”, where a man who is called the “dreamer” carves different types of figures and small statues out of wood.

I must admit that the first look inside reminded me of Michel from Lönneberger carving figures in his locked shed when he had done something bad. (Everyone who doesn’t know what I’m talking about, I’m sorry, you definitely missed something out in your childhood then!)

The “House of the Dreamer” is a project that lasts over many generations. As well as his figures, the dreamer’s house as well is completely made of wood.

Inside the house there is a certain atmosphere of calmness and you feel like you can take the whole day looking around at the nice figures without any need to speed.

After the visit at the “House of the Dreamer” we kept on going because we wanted to visit Costa Rica’s oldest church, the church of Orosi.

On the way we came across some interesting bridges.

There was one bridge where only one car at a time could pass it. So the others had to wait till it was there turn.

We reached the church of Orosi just in time because the rain was already on its way.

Costa Rica is in the rainy season at the moment. Mostly the rain comes in the afternoon but it is not a hundred percent predictable.

Next to the church there was an old monastery. We spend some minutes in the church which was the big contrast to the children playing soccer outside. It was quiet and people inside were moving slowly and somehow solemnly.

After the stop at the church we went in and had a beautiful last view on “Valle Orosi” before the rain started.

Being to so many different places in just one day, I was really overwhelmed when arriving at home. It was a full day of fascination for the landscape and nature but also a day of laughing a lot because Sabine, Peter and me took funny pictures and had a great time together.