Beaches, Beaches, Beaches...Oh and Rain

So after yesterday's surfing extravaganza...oh and it was. We chilled out a bit today...well if by chilling out, you mean checking out some local beaches. After a couple false starts, we were off to check out some beaches to the north, Playa Flamingo and Playa Grande (Oh and one to the south, Playa Langosta...just for fun).

First, we headed a little south of Tamarindo to Playa Langosta...actually about 5 min by car...I know, a trek by many standards. Anyway, we strolled down thru the Mangroves to find a beach sparsely spotted with sun bathers...and surf pounding a mix of sandy beach with black rock outcroppings. It was very nice, but not very swimmer friendly, and since we both ventured out without trunks on...yea, not so bright sometimes...we packed up after a short walk and returned to our little cabana to suit up and head out again (remember I said like a 5 min drive...on a bad day).

So again, we mounted our little RAV4 steed (Must I keep reminding you all to keep it clean!) and were off to some beach somewhere...just follow the map I was told. We meandered thru a couple small towns and navigated the potholed (sometimes terrifying so) road to Playa Flamingo...a beautiful white sand beach with a smaller surf...better for swimming. One reminder that we still need to watch our belongings...as we pulled up and parked, another family had just returned to their car to find their luggage missing from the trunk...sad really...actually the one thing that has kept me from completely falling in love with this place is the constant reminder on signs and from locals to "Lock" up everything, leave "NOTHING" in your car...you cannot even take a towel to the beach unless someone stays with it (we were told by our surf instructors to bury our sandals in the sand so no one would take them). But back to our adventure...after a quick chat with the recently robbed, we locked our car (LOL) and took about 20 steps to a nice soft spot on the beach. We settled in and spent the next hour and a half or so running back and forth between the water and our little spot on the sand...watching the little sand crabs shoot in and out of their holes. Seeing as it is rainy season, we packed up just as a squall threatened (one thing of note is that the rain is nice and warm...just thought I would point that out). As we drove off, the rain started...and really didn't stop all day, but we will not dwell on that right now. We drove by some amazing homes parched on the dramatic rocky outcroppings that line the coast. Definitely places to retire...Anyway, back from my little day dream...so from Flamingo, we headed back a little north to Playa Grande...a long smooth beach spotted with Surfers and surfer want to be's. Playa Grande is actually part of the same beach as Tamarindo, but just separated on the south side by a large estuary...so from our vantage point on the beach, we could see Tamarindo. This was a Loooonnnggg beach...thus the name (Grande), we parked and paid a local about a buck to watch the car...cannot be too careful I guess. We strolled down the beach to the first large rock outcropping, then returned and found a small stretch of stand to settle in. We hung out for a couple hours, playing in the surf, shell hunting (Jori...), and getting sun burnt...the sun is a bit more intense here...burned right thru my 45 spf...damn! After Jori finished adorning her sand castle with shells (and before another squall took over), we packed up and drove back to Tamarindo for a late lunch.

Lunch was awesome...for 5 bucks we got these 12" sandwiches filled with chicken and pork...really too hard to explain, but simply brilliant. After that, it was time for a nap...well deserved mind you!

We woke up (kind of...) and made our way out in the rain to find some beers and crowds (remember I said it kinda rained all day...well make that night too). We made our way to the only pool table in town (remember who I am traveling with now...how could we not find a pool table) and played a couple games with the bartenders...there was no one else there...LOL. After a couple games, they started to dominate...or maybe we just got drunk...hard to say really, it is all a blur. From there we went out wondering and found there to be very little happening, so we went back to Babylon (pool table) and found a decent sized crowd...we hung out and watched the dance off's for a couple more hours before heading back to get some rest...and some aloe for my back...ouch!

And I said good morning! Guess what, it is still raining...but it is nice...we are sitting in the open air restaurant having a early morning cup of joe and listening to some Sinatra with rain in the background...I must say it is pretty relaxing...Today's agenda...well...maybe some surfing...shopping...who knows...I think we will stay here one more night, then off to a new beach town...somewhere south...don't know yet. talk to you all soon...

Cheers! RB