Sun of a Beach!

So, Nicaragua was a lot of fun, but it is time for us to make another change. We're heading into Costa Rica, and what better place to go in Costa Rica than the beach?

But first, there are a few minor details to take care of. Like crossing the border. It was a slightly chaotic crossing, because the border is just full of people trying to swindle you. For instance, there are entry/exit info cards that you need to fill out anytime you enter into a new country. These little sheets of paper should be provided at the immigration window, seeing as they require them to be filled out. However, as you line up, several people will approach you with pads and pads of these little necessary papers, and attempt to sell them to you. When you tell them you don't want to buy one because they are free at the window, the response is that there are not any left up at the window. At this point, you look them up and down, noticing that they have literally hundreds of these things, and the thought that comes to mind is "I wonder why there aren't any left?" We called one guy out on this, and even after he admitted that there were sheets available for free, he simply asked for a tip for the convenience he was providing. They have no shame.

In then end, one of two things will happen: you either pay up and have a card filled out and ready to go to speed up the entire process, or wait and piss off the immigration officer because you arrive at the front of his line unready. So we went ahead and told him ok. He gave us 2 papers, and I gave him the last of the coins in my pocket after having exchanged our money; 4 cordobas($.20). He was asking for 20 cordobas($1), and complained to me that it wasn't enough. He already gave me the cards, so I just shrugged and asked him if he wanted it or not. He took it.

Above, Laura is extremely happy to be just about done and free to travel around in Costa Rica.

After that, another 3 buses (2 already) to get to the beach. So a mere 8 hours after leaving San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua, we arrived in Samara, Costa Rica. We quickly found a nice cheap hostel on the beach (our room was literally 13 steps to the sand) and enjoyed our first Costa Rican sunset.

Early the next morning, we made the long haul all the way to the beach to begin enjoying all that was around us.

Laura was so excited to be on here that she was literally jumping for joy!

Below, Laura is sitting in one of our favorite spots on the beach. The shade. Yeah, I know, you go to the beach to enjoy the sun, but it doesn't take long to burn down here. We're not boring, I swear. Just wise beyond our years. It's just us and the parents and the retirees hanging out in the shade, while the silly little children and the rest of the 20-somethings burn. But I'll have the last laugh when they look like lobsters! Plus, who can afford sun screen when it's $17!?! Talk about gouging the tourists! Also, it's widely unavailable.

Which reminds me. Have you ever tried to buy Kids SPF 30 sunscreen in Costa Rica when you are clearly not a child nor have one? Well they won't let you. Seriously. Not totally, but.....

On our way to the city of Samara, we thought it would be wise to buy some sunscreen in Nicoya before we got to the beach where they would jack the price up even more. So, we entered a small convenience store to inquire about sunscreen. Unfortunately, the store was mostly sold out, except for one bottle of Kids SPF 30.

The ensuing conversation was all too hilarious to argue over. (Although this took place in Spanish, I have translated)

Laura: Could we see that bottle of Sunscreen?

Young woman: Yes, (begins to grab a bottle that is SPF 4)

La: No, not that one, the blue one.

YW: (Pauses, looks up at us) But that one is for kids.

La: (Laura and I silently look at each other wondering why this matters) Yes, but it works the same, right?

YW: (Audibly giggles while speaking) Noooo.

Without a word, we left, laughing to ourselves. It was just so amusing to us that this just happened, and we looked so foolish. Right? We were silly to think that the kids version would protect our grown up skin?

Anyway, the beach was an excellent and easy place to relax. So easy, that even though we only intended to stay for maybe 2-3 days, we stayed for 5 days. Every time the conversation came up that we could move along, one more day just sounded better. We just had so much left to do.

For example, reading on the beach.

And having breakfast on the beach.

And eating fruit on the beach. We had fresh watermelons and pineapples daily.

And exploring near the beach

And surfing

(However, that's not me, and we didn't surf.)

And swimming in the ocean

Sorry, no pictures, camera isn't waterproof. But let me describe it. Every 15 minutes or so, while swimming, Laura exclaims "I love the ocean!" Add the ocean to that image. You get the picture.

And reading on the beach.

Did I say that one? Well, it occupied a lot of our time.

Eventually, we decided that we were, in fact, going to leave and had one more full day to enjoy. We had one more pineapple left, and also a little bit of rum that we had stowed away in our bag from Nicaragua.(Never hurts to have a little booze on hand. Never.) Then, I had a great idea.

It involved cutting up the pineapple as usual.

Then, putting the chunks into an empty water bottle, and pouring rum over it.

We let that soak for a few hours.

And, BOOM! Amazing tropical treat. The pineapple had a little rum flavor, and the rum had a lot of pineapple flavor!

It made Laura jump for joy once again!

And finally, one more memorable sunset to end the visit to Samara.

The next day, we had to pass through the city of Nicoya and spend a night before we could catch another bus elsewhere. The last day or so on the beach were really hot and dry, so when we got to our hotel room, we were pleased to be able to enjoy a little luxury called aire condicionado! Oh, so nice!

Not only that, but they had cable TV, and I as able to watch a little NFL playoffs as well. Felt just like home! Then we went across the street and had Chinese food as well!