EXPLORAMA
Jordan Rivenburgh & Lena Armijo
05
During our 9 day experience, the 14 of us stayed in 4 different locations: the Jungle House, Explorama Lodge, ExplorNapo, and ACTS. Explorama Lodges began operations in 1964 with a strong emphasis on education about the rainforest for its employees, guests, and local residents.
Guides at Explorama can explain the rainforest on a scientific level while also showing a love for the environment that can only come from growing up in it. Explorama also makes every effort to become an integral part of the lives of the local villages they spend time with by creating and supporting educational programs for community school children and teachers. While we were staying in these lodges, we learned about simple living and the importance of minimalism.
The first day we stayed at the Jungle House, which had individual rooms with AC, hot water, and flushing toilets. Next, we stayed at Explorama Lodge with no AC and no hot water, this was very different from the Jungle House but it made us appreciate how we can adapt to two different environments. Simplicity makes life not only easy, comfortable, enjoyable, but also beautiful. Nature is the greatest demonstrator of simplicity.
The last lodges we stayed at had walls opened to the jungle, no AC, no hot water and the best shower you have ever expereinced! You could hear the birds in the morning and bugs at night, which was truly an amazing experience.