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Published: September 29th 2008
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Bug Nets
Malaria is a small risk in the Limon Province so its nice to have some protection. Well its still winter here in Costa Rica which means one thing… RAIN! It has been raining just about every day down here. The mornings are usually beautiful and just like clockwork, everyday, as I leave school to walk home the sky lets go and it pours. However, we still find time to enjoy the country.
A few weekends ago we, Travis, Steve, Ali, and I, made our way to the Caribbean beach town of Puerto Viejo. We first left Tres Rios bright and early at 4:30 am so we could get to San Jose to catch the 6:00 am bus. The bus ride was about four hours to the port town of Limon and then another bumpy hour south to Puerto Viejo. When we got into PV we had to find a play to stay for the night. Since it was Independence weekend a lot of the local hotels and hostels were filling up fast. We had our hearts set on a place called Rocking J’s which was a hostel on the beach side of the road that offered hammocks, a sheet, and a locker for $5 a night. How could you go wrong? Well they were full. So
we made our way down the road stopping at hotel and hostel until we found this great little place called Hotel Jacaranda. We were set up with a single room for Ali and a double bed with a hammock on the porch for Steve, Travis, and I. It was perfect. The hotel was built of gorgeous wood with mosaic tile on the floor and a garden in the center courtyard. After we settled in, we headed out to get some food and then made our way to the beach. The beach was great and was right in front of the biggest surf break in Costa Rica called Salsa Brava. The waves are beefy and break over a razor sharp reef that is about a foot under the water. Not a wave for the novice surfer, or sane surfer for that matter. Later that night we made our way around the town checking out some of the local establishments and listening to some awesome Reggae music. We also had the chance to meet Manuel, a local Rastafari who had had too much to drink, who went on to tell us about the endless troubles he was having with his girlfriend. It
was entertaining. I tried to give him advice but he wasn’t very receptive.
The next day we found a new place to stay since there was no vacancy at the hotel we had stayed the night before. The woman who owned the place told us of a hostel just down the road so we decided to check it out. It was called Pagalu Hostel. The place was amazing. It was owned by a young German couple that were very nice and the cost was just what we were looking for. After we dropped off our packs we went to have breakfast at a little place called "Bread and Chocolate" and then made our way to Playa Cocles. The breakfast was stellar. Travis and Ali had a huge bowl of fruit and yogurt while Steve and I each had a hearty oatmeal pancake leaving us full for a day at the beach. To get to the beach we walked along a sandy trail that was shaded by palm trees and paralleled the beach. Along the way we were able to spot many different spiders, crabs, and lizards. Once we got to the beach, Travis, Steve, and I rented surfboards from
a guy who we had talked to the night before. They cost us $15 for the entire day and were great quality boards. I was impressed. The rest of the day consisted of catching waves, working on our tans, and drinking fresh coconuts. Once we were done at the beach we stopped at the market on our way back to the hostel to pick up food for that night and the following day’s breakfast. For dinner we made quesadillas and fresh salsa at the hostel and then “enjoyed” some boxed wine while we played cards with the owner of the hostel. It was a good end to a great day.
The following morning we cut up some fresh fruit that we had with yogurt and granola. We then packed up our bags and made our way to the bus stop. On our way we caught the Costa Rican Independence Day parade that was put on by the local high school students. The parade was filled with drummers, lyre players, dancers, and flag carriers. It was amazing. We then got on the bus and traveled 4 hours back to San Jose. From San Jose we caught the bus back to
Tres Rios and closed the pages on another outstanding Costa Rican adventure.
I hope all is well in the Midwest and you are enjoying the changing fall colors and the crisp, clean air. Until next time, be well.
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