点评:My group of medical students visited Finca La Esperanza during our trip to Costa Rica, and it was hands-down the best experience we had in the country. Don Luis, the head of the finca, guided us through the whole cacao process himself — cracking jokes the entire time while thoroughly explaining every step. Along the walk he had us try sugar cane and ginger straight from the source, and pointed out the medicinal plants growing throughout the farm. He also told us what wildlife we might spot — sloths, toucans, and other creatures that call the finca home.
The real highlight was getting to work alongside the family, turning the cacao into a rich drink and homemade chocolate ourselves. It’s one thing to taste chocolate — it’s another to have grown, processed, and made it with your own hands, guided by the people who’ve been doing it for generations.
But what stuck with us most was the family itself. Their generosity and warmth made us feel like we were visiting family, not paying for a tour. If you’re going to Costa Rica and only have time for one authentic, off-the-beaten-path experience, make it this one.
翻译:我和同学们在哥斯达黎加旅行期间参观了菲卡·拉埃斯佩兰萨庄园,毫无疑问,这是我们在该国经历的最棒的体验。庄园负责人唐·路易斯亲自带领我们了解了可可制作的整个过程——他一边讲着笑话,一边详细讲解每一个步骤。途中,他还让我们品尝了刚从地里摘下来的甘蔗和生姜,并向我们介绍了遍布整个庄园的各种药用植物。他还告诉我们可能会遇到哪些野生动物——树懒、巨嘴鸟,以及其他以这片庄园为家的生灵。
最令人难忘的体验就是能与这家人一起工作,亲手将可可制成香醇的饮品和巧克力。品尝巧克力是一回事,但在世代从事此业的家人的指导下,亲手种植、加工并制作巧克力则是另一番体验。
不过,最让我们难以忘怀的还是这家人本身。他们的慷慨与热情让我们感觉就像在拜访家人一样,而完全不像是在花钱参加旅游团。如果你要去哥斯达黎加,却只有时间体验一次地道且人迹罕至的活动,那一定就是这个了。