My flight did not land until after midnight and by the time I’m out of customs it is 1 AM Monday morning. We check into a hostel next to the bus station, nap for three hours, and sleepwalk to the 6 AM bus that will bring us to Santa Teresa. This is a six hour trip that will take me to the Pacific coast of the Nicoya Peninsula. The bus ride is beautiful. It takes me out of the city and onto windy roads through hills of beautiful canopies. In Puntarenas I ferry across the Gulf of Nicoya which is breathtaking! Arriving in Santa Teresa at noon we immediately grab some Pilsner beers and hit the beach. For dinner we go to this cool little restaurant in Mal Pais called Piedra del Mar. I ate arroz con camerones sitting twenty feet from the waves breaking on the rocks. And then reggae night at Day and Night beach club.
Tuesday was more beach time. I’m still building my energy and my courage to surf. I’m also nursing a little headache from the night before. That evening we rode the quad to Gumbo Limbo hotel and restaurant. This hotel is beautiful! It is more of a boutique as it sits high on a hill with only four rooms all of which over look the small town and ocean below. We sat in the infinity pool and watched the sun set with one of the owners, Sonny, who happens to be a Virginia Beach local! After sun set we all make our way to the restaurant where we share cocktails and stories. Miguel, Sonny’s business partner, joins us and makes some wonderful rosemary potatoes. I know this is just a taste of the wonderful food they serve here. I’m looking forward to going back for dinner before I leave.
Wednesday morning I’m wishing Erica was here to encourage and distract me with her crazy antics. I face the 7’4” Al Merrick surfboard with surf wax in hand. It’s been a year and a half since I’ve been on a board. I am definitely a beginner, but I love going out and getting tossed and tumbled. Unfortunately it is something I only get to enjoy few and far between. I spend an hour in the water getting surf lesson. I’m up and on my own from here on out!
More surfing on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday! And a sunset quad ride through the “country” to Manzanillo. Awesome!
I leave Costa Rica tomorrow. It has been eight years since I was here last, and I am now reminded of why so many people from all over the world come here to make this beautiful country their home. It truly is the Pura Vida.
For information about Gumbo Limbo Hotel and Restaurant please visit www.gumbolimbocr.com
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I think I'm going to have to stop reading your blog or I might just grab a bag of clothes and run away :). I'm glad to see you're making the most of your time off, though!! Can't wait to see more pictures.
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