Playa Carrilo

Today we drove 7 kilometers to another nearby beach- our beach day #2. This quiet, blue water beach, sits nestled in a mile cove. Surrounded by palms, the breakwater exploded upon the reef, making for a strong rip tide. As high tide started making its crawl up the beach, our time spent playing in the warm water, ended with bathing suits filled with black volcanic sands.

A normal beach day, Lorraine and I can sit quite content for many hours on a beach. Unfortunately this sun has won. After two hours we needed to go back home, rinse the accumulated salty-sands from our bodies, re-apply sunscreen, then try it again.

Knowing this time we wanted shade, we opted for two beach chairs, an umbrella, and a bucket of cervezas. Although not as tranquil as Playa Carrillo, we were quite content with this next spot.

Just to top off our day so far, a herd of wild horses, meandered down the beach. Leisurely taking their time, with no fear, they trotted beach side, showing their foal the way of the land.

Back once again to rise off the ocean, it's time for a little siesta, well American style- a book to read, rum & juice, and our view with a breeze.

Destination #4- Playa Samara.

After a quick stroll on the beach we jumped in the car and headed off to Playa Samara- another beach on the pacific coast line. Thinking we cut some diving time down, we decided we'd take the 17 kilometer dirt road that cut diagonal across.

Our little Toyota Yaris got a good workout in the shocks- apparently they don't grate their roads here. Our car rattled so much we thought our fillings would come loose. Didn't seem to be a problem for the local drivers, as they sped past us, kicking up red dust, that threatened our visibility just as much as the fog on the road to La Fortuna.

One and 1/2 hours later we arrived in Playa Samara. Even more laid back than Tamarindo, this very safe little beach town gives the impression that life is just meant to be loved, cherished, and sun kissed.

Sunset

Is that mine?

Playa Tamarindo

It's the dry season for sure, everything is coated in a layer of red dust. Playa Tamarindo seems quiet right now, the beaches aren't crowded, but the surf is still rolling. Our hostel is cute. Tucked off the main strip, on a short dirt road, it sits far enough to feel peaceful, yet close for quick walks to the beach.

Life here is "pura vida"- full of life or this is living. Nobody is in a rush, stressed or worried about time. If you want to relax, you come here. My stress knots from the road over here went away with the setting sun. I can see why people come and tend to stay just a bit longer.

We rented an umbrella and two beach chairs for some quality beach time- a very good idea as the equator sun would have quickly burn our pale winter skin. After much compilation, I decided to purchase a sun hat. I had one packed for the trip but took it out in the end thinking I'd save room. As a hat wearer and should have known better.

The sun rises and set at 6:00 every day, no deviation. Time now to grab a couple cervezas and head to the beach for sunset- Edwardo said we could have our chairs back.

Off to the ocean!

Zip lines, thermal hot springs, and night out with the locals dancing certainly made for a fun filled, packed day and evening. Then incredibly I ran into a friend who was traveling from Arizona, it's such a small world.

With no time to spare we headed out to Playa Tamarindo on the pacific side. The road around the volcanos was another twisty adventure. With barely enough room for two cars, we had to share the ride with tractor trailers and zooming tour busses. Fortunately though they have been clearing the sides of the roads to keep the forest from taking over, but unfortunately they were doing it with hand held weed-wackers- what a never ending job, by the time you'd get to the end you'd have to start all over. Along the way we spotted group of coatis (a member of the raccoon family) who had come down from the trees to feed. Four hours later we arrived in Tamarindo just as the sun was setting over the ocean.

Horse Festival

We were fortunate this weekend in La Fortuna it is their local bi-annual festival. We watched spectacular dancing horses, trotting up and down the street, prancing with pride as they kept beat to locals singing typical Costa Rican tunes.

La Fortuna

After waiting in 45 minutes of traffic it was a leisurely, yet stressful winding tour. A quick pit stop in Sarchi, home of the painted carts, we arrived five hours later in La Fortuna. Our evening consisted of dinner and the local marching band competition. We just arrived back from zip lining through the rainforest. The 11 zip lines brought us through the canopy over waterfalls and rivers. The longest one was 950 meters, the fastest one had us zooming along at 40 miles per hour.

Our hostel is laid back and lots of friendly travelers, all here for some adventure and volcano sight seeing, although the volcano stop erupting a couple years ago.

San Jose- Escazu

Landing in San Jose around 3:00, we caught a bus to go pick up our rental car. GPS loaded we headed out into 5:00 PM San Jose traffic to Escazu to Lisa's house. After a white knuckled drive, where motorcycles shimmy through the cars, shoulders are non-existent, street signs are far and few between, and everyone has the right of way, we almost made it to Lisa's.

Almost because we had to ask directions from a very nice "Tico" (Costa Rican) as we were looking for a pink gate that had just been repainted orange. After 30 minutes we finally figured it out and arrived at Lisa's lush tropical apartments, hidden behind pink flowers- and an orange gate.

That evening we headed out to her friends apartment that over looked sparkling San Jose. After meeting many of the teachers at Lisa's international school, where she teaches high school history, we caught a bite to eat at Laly- a local hot spot for cervezas and a good cheap meal.

Huston

Patiently waiting in GW-Houston, getting some interesting people watching done, and listening to country music...

Burlington International

To no real surprise the flight is delayed, but not because of Burlington, the plane is late from Cleveland. Only 45 minutes... so far.

One day to go!

With a snowstorm coming in last night, I found myself out shoveling before the sun had crept up over the mountainside. While my body was trying to keep warm against the early morning chill, my mind was drifting to the sunny days that await in the very near future.  Soon this white landscape would be replaced with spewing volcanic lava, howling monkeys, and sparkling beaches.