Garden Shops and More Breakfast

Today, we decided to go to a vivero (garden shop) in La Garita, Alajuela, for some bags of soil and orchid supplies. It is a trip of about 23 km from where we live in the Grecia area, depending on which route one takes.

Our plan was to stop for breakfast enroute and when we saw that Restaurant Café David at Rescate Animal Zoo Ave was open, we decided to try it. A good choice - not just for the food but also because of the surroundings and the peacock who gave us a display for most of our meal. He and his peahens were just a few feet away from us. In fact, one peahen strolled into the restaurant (open air as as usual). The peacock was absolutely stunning. He tried so hard to impress the ladies but they were totally disinterested.

Restaurante Café David is on the grounds of Rescate Animal Zoo Ave - a must see place. This is not a zoo in the traditional sense but a rescue and rehabilitation centre for injured Costa Rican wildlife. We’ve been there a couple of times. Some of the animals/birds can never be returned to the wild so they live here protected and so well looked after.

They we headed to Vivero Central La Garita  not far from Zoo Ave. I think it is the biggest vivero in the area. I have been told that the reason why there are so many viveros in La Garita is because the area has lots of aquifers and so there is plenty of water for all of them. The way it works at garden shops here is that you will be approached by a worker who will be your helper during your visit. We asked for bolsas de tierra (bagged soil) and our helper took us to where they were piled up. We selected two. No need for us to move them to our car. Next I needed orchid bark mix and he took me to that aisle. Bought three of those and then two bags of coconut coir, which I use to line the wire orchid baskets. Couldn’t resist buying two plants (not orchids) because the colour of the flowers was so lovely. The underleaves are purple. I forgot to note the name. All of these purchases were taken by our helper and when we reached the checkout, everything was piled up for us and he was writing out the prices and totalling it all up.

He gave me the slip, which I took to the cashier and paid. Back to the car and our helper was loading everything into it for us. This is such a great system  and as usual everyone is friendly and helpful.

Here are the pretty plants I bought:

My orchid supplies and the two bags of soil: