Monteverde Rosewood Shop and Orchid Garden

A couple years ago we went on a chocolate tour in Costa Rica.  The owner of the Finca was a Costa Rican and I was in awe of his enthusiasm for the plants on his property.  He was so proud of all the varieties of fruits he had growing.  His excitement was contagious.  The amazing owners of the Rosewood Shop and Orchid Garden reminded me of our experience at Finca Kobo.  I feel like a total jerk that we visited this amazing couple three times and never bothered to learn their names.  I’m going to assume that the names on trip advisor are correct, so I’m going with Danis and Licho.  
On Sunday after a long walk into Santa Elena and some family crankiness we decided to go for a walk.  On the amazingly detailed map Richard had given us he had starred the Rosewood Shop because they have a free orchid garden.  We arrived and met Danis.  She let us know that she only knew a small amount of English.  I was once again amazed at how easy it can be to carry on a conversation with someone despite significant language barriers.  We spent a long time admiring all the amazing wooden bowls made by her husband.  She told us if we came back again that he would take us on a tour of the gardens and wood shop.  She showed us all of the jewelry that she makes from recycled materials.  She was incredibly kind to the girls and gave them each a bracelet.  We told her we’d be back for the tour.
The next day after a rainy morning in Selvatura we returned and met Licho (I really hope the people on tripadvisor have his name right).  Right off the bat he was excited to show us another toucanet eating the bananas they put out on their fence.  He took us on a tour of the garden as promised.  He pointed out all the amazing orchids and held leaves up to let us take pictures.  He showed us the coffee they grow for themselves.  He pointed out birds and insects.  He cut up sugar cane for us to chew on.  He was an incredible tour guide.  We ended in his wood shop.  He let Lottie chisel a bowl and Gabby waxed one.  He gave each girl a piece of scrap wood.  And he does all of this for free. 
We went back a third time before we left so that the girls could buy their own souvenirs.  Danis gave them another gift.  Licho took us out into the gardens again because he’d just found a hummingbirds next with eggs.  I really just don’t know how to adequately describe their kindness.  This would be a must stop place if we ever went back to Monte Verde. 
*** Apologies to these wonderful people if I'm using the wrong names.

I think this looks like some sort of internal organ

This is what it looks like when it opens up.

Hummingbird eggs, which apparently get eaten up by the Tucanets

Banana leaf = great hat

He was surprised when Lottie was the one that wanted to try this out.  There was saw dust EVERYWHERE.

Gabby was more comfortable waxing the bowl

Sugar cane!!!!  DELICIOUS!!!!

Prepping the coffee beans

This is what the banana plant looks like before the bunches separate out.

Chewing on some sugar cane

Achiote or face paint

They took this a little too far

Natural blush

The tiny little flowers are under the leaves

Double rainbow.  The top one is hard to see.

Toucanet

Yum!

Tapping on the tree to make the ants come out.