Tirimbina Trees and Piñas (3-20-10)

In Tirimbina we went to a Tree Plantation and a Reduced Impact Logging (RIL) Forest. The tree plantation was exactly what I expected and actually pretty good to see. Wood produced the way that it should be, on land that has already been destroyed. The RIL Forest was pretty depressing. It is owned by a rich guy in San Jose that barely makes any money off of it. So there is no need to be cutting down trees in this fairly untouched area. It was just kind of sad.

Tree Plantation:


RIL Forest:





Then we traveled to a Massive Monoculture of organic Piñas (pineapple). Their main buyer is Dole, a US corporation...

Aaron jammin' on the way there, before things got depressing:

The good old U.S. of A.

The small patch of forest that they maintain in the back because they "work in harmony with nature":

Our guide:

Most of us weren't happy:

Baby Piña:

Internal Operations:






Which label do you want on your piña?




The forgotten:

Ornamental Piñas:


Tried to forget what we saw and enjoy ourselves. Yimen (my TA) poured us some tasty rum and Pinnaple drinks.




Pretty ridiculous end to a slightly depressing day but Night Hike #2 was still to come.