Three Cheers for...

BEER!!!!

We are currently sitting in San Juan del Sur at Alfresco restaurant.  It is pissing rain which we have been blamed for bringing with us from Nosara.  Our time was up in Costa Rica.  We bailed three days early from our place and had a lovely discussion with Ryan, Brian, what's his face owner of Kaya Sol. We ended up having to throw some dough to cover our early departure and then I proceeded to tell him some thoughts on the accom and that he should change his attitude towards the place.  He took note and took our money.

So Nosara is a thing of the past.  Will we return?  Probably not.  Did we have fun?  Yes and no.  Yes I scored epic surf but the last five days were polar opposite, complete bush league.  But on the flip side, our first five days Laura was sick and we were taking a week off from beer so we were like hermit crabs. Our days consisted of coming out to surf and grocery shop, then staying in and watching Californication (which is amaze!).  The last five days we brought beer back into our lives and so did the fun.  We met an amazingly funny couple from Florida at Harmony Hotel (which we loved). The proper Englishman was living it up there and kind enough to invite us to his luxury pool. We ended up having one of our best dinners with the couple at the hotel, had a blast and hope to meet them again down the road.   Then last night we had wine, cheese and bread on the beach and bumped into our neighbours at Kaya Sol who were two Canucks from Victoria who I have seen in the lineup at Sombrio, Jordan and Tofino.  We proceeded to go out with a group of people and have a blast.  Yadda, Yadda, Yadda, home by midnight, up at 5am and out by 6 off to the Frontera (in gringo that means border). So I would say Nosara is not a surf mecca but a fun friendly town.  You won't be bored but you won't get uber shacked (in non surfer that means barrelled or tubes).  Best five days of surf so far but that first impression was shattered.

La Frontera was an experience for sure.  If you wanted, you could just walk over the fallen fence and be in Nicaragua to give you an example of security.  It is a gong show to say the least.  Before your car door even opens you get hoarded by cash exchangers, taxi drivers and anybody else trying to make a quick buck.  People steal the forms you need to fill out and then they expect you to tip when they provide you with one. There were even 12 year old kids offering taxi rides.  Sketch. The boarder is so relaxed a coke dealer could probably have a processing plant on a truck to save time while shipping it.  We made it in about an hour sanity and money still in pocket.  Laura was a little worried about the cab situation but we didn't get kidnapped and I thought he was a nice guy. (I'm going to mention that we was nervously bitting his finger nails, he'd slow down on a clear stretch of road where life didn't exist, turn off the car for a few secs and then back on, he leaned over to the glove box and opened it -  not sure why? AND leaving the border he got yelled at by some angry man and we got pulled over by a cop and the car searched. Am I not entitled to be a bit scared?!)  We are awaiting our ride to Playa Maderas and currently in San Juan del Sur.  Tamarindo 10 years ago is what they say and I can believe it. There's a man who walks the streets with bird cages trying to sell birds and people carrying things on their heads to sell, etc...

Hip Hip Hurray! Hip Hip Hurray! Hip Hip Hurray!

Times up!

It's been a while.  We are still in Nosara.  Laura managed to come down with a fever and I tended to her and surfed on my time off.  I will call myself Doctor Dan but she will say otherwise.  The surf over the last days has been good.  Many epic sessions had but it is an aggressive paddle out and Laura has not enjoyed herself.  We are planning on cutting our time short here and heading to Nicaragua early, as it is more unchartered territory for us.
 

A few days back I made friends with a proper Englishman in the water.  We have hung out a few times and surfed plenty.  Yesterday we did a road trip down the coast about an hour to a new beach called Caramonal.  Black sand and quiet beach.  After 20 duck dives I made it out to the waves which had some size to them.  I had my first official hold down of the trip.  For those who do not know what that is - picture this.  I caught a big left hand wave, which after the drop, I had to straight hand it to avoid doom.  Once I jumped off my board, the wave proceeded to hold me under water where I was standing at the bottom of the ocean until the wave passed and I had to swim up from about 10 feet below.  I thought it was fun - Laura thinks differently.  After that a few fun waves were had and we headed back.  There were a couple rivers crossed and in a rental it is always fun.




LKN Comments -

Cabin Fever – the real thing...

I have definitely used the term 'cabin fever' several times in my life. Mostly because I'm stuck indoors due to the rain or cold or maybe I've been cooped up in a car for hours. However, this time, it was the real deal.

Last week I came down with something fast. It first started with sharp stomach pains, followed by muscle and joint pain and then a fever. Luckily my worst and probably highest temp ever reached happened during the night. That sleep didn't exist and I thought I was in hell but really, I wasn't. I had no idea what day two was going to bring me.

I wake up, feeling like I've been in a bar fight, pitched off a wave, maybe even thrown off a bus. I could barely move my neck, my back, any part of my body – I couldn't move at all. Energy level, at a zero. I attempted to eat some crackers and drink some gingerale (thank gosh they had Canada Dry) that my wonderful nurse Dan (sorry love) brought to me. I managed to get them down but that was the extent my energy was going to take me. A few hours pass and it's now close to 11am. What does this mean you ask...it means that our cabin is now reaching 38 to 39 degrees Celsius while I have a temperature of 38.6. I am spread out on the bed with the least amount of clothes possible not caring that I may have a peaker. No, not nurse Dan but an 8 year old boy who seems to have fancied me and likes to peak into our cabin windows. I'm in my own personal hell hole. The pillow is hot, my breath feels like fire and it really couldn't get worse. Oh wait, wait it can. I build up all the strength i can to open my eyes and take a sip of water when i catch myself in a staring competition with a foot long lizard. Oh, not a gecko, a lizard. In my nicest and most polite of ways, I ask nurse Dan to kindly remove of the lizard beside my bed, asap. He was successful – thank god.

It's now 7 pm and past my bed time. i haven't slept all day. The temperature in the room has finally dropped to a rather pleasant temp of 33 and I'm loaded up on Advil, Tylenol and pep-to. A trifecta of perfection. But wait, lucky me, it's the best of 70's, 80's and 90's at the adjoining bar beside us. The music blares for the next 3 hours. It's now past midnight. I've run out of nice comments to make. I'm not a happy camper but the drunks have stopped screaming, MC Hammer has finally left my head and the flashing disco ball has been turned off. Heaven. Finally a taste of heaven.

Why is 'I will long love you, ........” by Live in my dream. That's weird. No, no it's not weird because some ticos are blasting it in the cabin beside us at 3am.  Grrrr is all I will say.

Long story short. I am much better now but felt I had to confess that travelling is not always peaches and cream.

Mixed Bag in Nosara:

 

–        you can only take out 100,000 colones (approx. $200 CAN) from the bank machine. However, you can go back two more times within a 24 hour window and take out the same amount

–        when it rains, about a thousand or more little purple, orange and red crabs pop out of the ground and flood the roads

–        the surf – fine if you're a beginner or upper intermediate to advance rider but if you're in between, forget-about-it. It's like Cox Bay in Tofino on a day where the waves don't let up for a second, imagine that but worse

–        Lightening struck so close to Dan and I that our arm hairs stuck up and we could feel a slight surge of electricity through our bodies – yes, i was freaked out to say the least

–        who would have thought Mr. Noodles becomes a staple in ones meal rotation

-     not sure if you can tell in the photo but the brown paste Dan has slathered all over his pancakes is Dulce de Leche.  Oink Oink...the 'just-add-water' pancake mix made my week

–        there's a blow-hole just a short walk away which can give sea enigmas to the unexpected (we met someone who had quite the experience!)

–        Harmony Eco Hotel has the best Mojitos and the food is unbelievable

–        Michella – a salt rimmed beer glass that has a shot of fresh lime juice, accompanied with a cold beer – delish!

–        Iguanas can get over a meter in length here

Change of Pace

Never judge a book by its cover is a half true statement. But there are many times that cover is exactly what it is. Waves should never be judged on their first impression. At first glance a wave or beach can be a site of beauty and perfection but as days go that wave can have many different shapes, crowds and forms. A first surf at a spot when it is awful does not mean it is always going to be awful. There have been many occasions where a group of us show up at a spot and we have to tell the newcomer this is not what it usually looks like, in a good way or bad.

 

Yesterday we arrived in Nosara and are staying in Playa Guiones. The book cover to me says laid back, so far I think I am dead on. The surf's book cover was as magnificent as the sunset last night. It was a thing of beauty. Even with the light onshore the sets peeled in both directions. The paddle into the waves were easy with a smooth transition down the face of the waves. Yesterdays sunset session is in top 3 of the trip so far. I got out of the water early to watch the sunset with Laura to find her chatting with some VANOC friends. Smile on all our faces I was asked if I wanted to go back out. Like a fat kid in a Mcdonalds I ran back in to pick as many waves as possible. I know the waves will not always be like that but you have to enjoy it while they are there. We will see what today and the rest of our time here has to offer.

Our time in Tamarindo is over and I think with the 6 weeks we spent in 2007 and the month now we have definitley got a feel for the town. Would I go back? Yes, but I would look elsewhere first. Would I recommend it? Yes if it is what you are looking for, good food, nice beaches and security. The town has everything one needs to be comfortable and more. The vibe is great.  Some say Tamarindo is full of drugs and prostitution and that the place has changed.  If you are partying every night you will find all the weird stuff, creepy guys, drunks and drugs, but if you are hanging out enjoying the town you will see none of it. Tamarindo is the birth place of my surfing and I will always remember that.

On a second glance at Guiones this morning, the waves were great once again. The blog has been delayed all day due to me getting back into the water.  I scored some awesome rights and lefts.  The waves do not get hollow but there is tons of long sections to attack on your board and ramps on the inside.  I am really liking the area and hope to adventure around a bit.  Laura is going to pick up some yoga classes, which I will eventually make my way as well.  

My Shout outs and Standouts for Tamarindo are:

Great Wedding destination (Brian and Lea)

Napoleon one of our security guards

La Esquina and the burger

Witches Rock Wings and happy hour

Taco Stop
Sunsets

Crossing the estuary and and no crocs

Gucci from Banana Surf 

Creepy guy in the picture (Remember judging a book by its cover)

One Month Today

On a surf trip, be it for a day or longer, there are a few things to keep in mind.  When going to a destination you may get skunked or the winds might be off or the waves to big/small.  Skunked or skunking just means SOL, plans are to surf and you show up at the beach and there is something not right in the conditions. So the approach to beating a skunking is to have something worth the drive/flight for.  Westport has the Reuben sandwich, Santa Cruz area (Portolla Valley to be exact) has the breakfast sandwich,  North Shore Hawaii has Ted's Bakery and Tofino has Americanos with attitude and the fish tacos from the taco bus.  In all these situations if the surf was bad the trip was still worth it.  If the trip was great it makes it that much better.

The point that I am trying to get at is that it is worth the trip to Tamarindo for the burger from La Esquina called La Esquina (translation - The Corner).  This baby is found to hold a thick house made patty with a piece of ham, fried egg, cheese, lettuce, onion and tomato.  Be disgusted if you want but this puppy washed down with one to two Imperial's and you can call it a night because satisfaction will be had.  This meal fills any void.  This restaurant also fills any void after a good days surf with pizzas, calzones and such. Other high notes in Tamrindo are the mutant wings from Witches Rock and fish burrito from Taco stop (LN note - must add a side of their guac). 

So the last week of surf has been a mixed bag.  I scored my biggest waves of the trip at Langosta.  It was consistent overhead waves until about six or seven waves rolled through in the double overhead range.  It was fast and fun to say the least.  I walked to the north end of Playa Grande where the surf is way more challenging.  It is about an hours walk from our place but worth the trip for the french fries at Hotel Las Tortugas (LN - dipped in real mayo and ketchup is Dan's fav!).  First day out there the waves were almost maxing out on the sand bar but big sets were still coming through.  My first wave was a late drop down the face into a double-up which threw me off my board and I got slammed around not once but twice.  After I paddled back out to the line-up, one of the older guys commented on what just happened "Your wave got picked up by another wave and wow there you went".  The rest of the session went a lot smoother.  Nice size, fast waves, some barrels and a whole lotta fun!  The second time around the group of us walked up and I brought my board along.  The swell was just too big but the french fries sorted me out.    Other that those sessions most have been down at the south end of Tamarindo due to size of the swell.  Laura has been killing it working on her rights and trying to make those critical drops.  

Tuesday five of us went on a fishing trip.  We got picked up at 7am and left out of Playa Flamingo about 30min away.  Our first fishes caught were bait fish which were about a pound each.  These were then used to try to catch something bigger.  We hooked a big one, the captain guessed a 60-70 pounder. We got it a few meters from the boat but then got away.  We then proceeded to jig for red snapper and we caught a dozen or so which became fish tacos that night. (LN - yummmm!!)

Yesterday was a fun road trip day down the coast to are final destination Samara.  We stopped in Marbella where my godfathers son has a friend who runs a hostel there.  We are undecided if we are going to stay there due to being one with nature.  Still a really nice place, where we had a drink then continued journey.  Samara is a nice town and low key.  The waves were bush league but the drive through a river and relaxing on a beach front restaurant is always good living.  

Both Kate's have left back home and there are five of us still kicking around.  The days have been spent lazing around and I think everyone had and is having a great time.  Our time in Tamarindo is coming to an end and the next adventure begins on the 19th.  New faces, food and waves.  

Video Link

Eject Button at Casitas

To All my Single Ladies - Don't Stop Believing

Another five days have past.  Semana Santa is over and the town has thinned out.  The surf has been epic as usual.  I did some solo sessions at Casitas, which every morning has been light offshore winds, beautiful A frames and few people in the water.  Andy, Laura and I have been surfing south end of Tamarindo quite a bit as it is better for learners but I have been finding some nice sections to try to get a little air.  Yesterday we took a shuttle to Avellanas.  It was low tide and the set waves were few and far between.  It would mostly be a heavy wave that would slam shut once it hit the sandbar.  Casitas is turning out be my favorite wave in the area so far, but I have to branch out to other spots over the next week.

This mornings session was missed due to our latest outing.  In bed at midnight is unheard of as most nights we are exhausted by 9pm.  Laura and I are training for Hong Kong and did some karaoke at Sharky's.  The guaro, and buckets of beers helped the whole group perform.  The ladies did their rendition of Beyonce's "All the Single Ladies" and Andy and I belted out a classic "Don't Stop Believing" by Journey.  Singing is no ones forte in the group.

Nights before that have been spent at Witches Rock for Happy Hour.  Pints for 1.25$ and some killer wings which are slowly becoming a must have.  Saturday had an awesome live band of ex-pats doing cover songs and the Monday night we went for Jo's arrival and chowed more wings and beers.  We went to Taco Stop last night for Taco Tuesday.  I would recommend just getting a burrito over the tacos based on bang per buck.

Most days now have been lazing around the pool and strolling around town.  Surf during the day has been pretty bush due to the onshore.  We are going to session the river mouth at low tide today and have a pretty low key night.

Some Video Links - May cause some to become hearing impared
Witches Rock Expat band
Low Tide at Avellanas
All the single ladies

Good Bye, Hello

It's been 5 days.  Brad and Ashley left back to Vancouver, Laura and I had two days to ourselves and the first round of the next group of visitors/vacationers have arrived.  Also, all of Costa Rica has come into Tamarindo for the Easter Holidays.  This town has become a hot, dusty and bustling Tico fest.

Last Sunday, Brad, Ash, Laura and myself rented a truck for the day and headed over to Avellanas.  It is about 5km down the beach but takes about 45 minutes to get there.  It is a very different place than Tamarindo and more along the lines of what Laura and I are expecting to go to on our next destination.  There are a couple of cabinas, one restaurant on the beach, Lola's.  They have gotten a new pig to replace Lola who passed away a year ago.  The restaurant has an awesome, relaxing layout. Nice wood chairs, under the palm trees looking out to the ocean.  The food is great I would recommend everything on the menu, but the fish n' chips stick out in my mind always.  The surf is more exposed to swell which means it receives bigger waves.  I took my fish and had a blast, so much so that I snapped my leash.  Nice rights and lefts that would wedge up on the inside making for fast waves.  Myself satisfied we arrived back around 6.  Laura made fish tacos which have since been made again because they are unbelievably, mind blowing, fantastic.

Brad and Ash left Monday morning and Laura and I having the car until noon, took off to check out Playa Negra and Avellanas at 5:30 in the morning.  It was super low tide and too many people at Playa Negra, which is a more advanced wave and gets really shallow over the rocks at low tide.  I passed on going out but will most likely visit in the next week.  We ended up at Avellanas nice and early I put in an hour of surf and we were back in town around 11am.

Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday was spent doing the usual.  Laura and I surfed Casitas and we scored some amazing waves.  Beautiful light offshore and rolling chest high A frame waves.  Laura has been killing it and so have I.  Both boards are making there way out into the water and I am loving the different feeling between the two.  The last two mornings I have gone out to Langosta for solo sessions.  Great waves and empty.  Second barrel of the trip was had and fast waves were ridden.

Kate, Vanessa and Andy have arrived over the last two days to add to the madness in town.  Luckily we were informed that Costa Rica goes dry for Thursday and Friday during Easter so we stocked up because that would be a poor way to start a vacation with no ice cold Imperial.  There was an Imperial promotion lady that said if I bought six beers I would get a skull cap and I asked "what if I buy 24?"  I ended up getting the most useless backpack ever.  These dry days creates a reverse psychology on everyone because when I walked on the beach everybody had an excessive amount of beer and everyone was getting liquored up.  So we hung out at our place and ate shrimp tacos.

Enjoy the Long weekend!

Laura - I thought it was about time to add a little something, something to the blog.

Starting off, the fish tacos that we've been making are truly unreal. I'm going to pass along the recipe. it's worth a go:

 Ingredients:
 - shrimp or white fish of any kind
 - black refried beans
 - purple cabbage
 - my homemade salsa - cilantro, fresh squeezed lime juice, mango, finely chopped onion, tomato, s&p, bit of hot sauce (Franks could work) and a tiny bit of sugar. Mix well and keep in the fridge to marinate until use
 - avocado
 - butter
 - garlic
 - corn or flour tortillas
 - plain yogurt (optional)
 - hot sauce (optional)

Okay, so it's super straight forward. 1. Make the salsa. 2. Heat up some butter (not too much) and toss in the finely chopped garlic.  Once the garlic looks golden, toss in the fish (chopped into 1 inch pieces) or shrimp. Cook till done. 3. While shrimp/fish is cooking, chop up the red cabbage (not too small), s&p them and toss into a pot or frying pan to soften up. 4. Cut up avocado. 5. Lastly, the construction: tortilla, spread on the refried beans and avocado. Now the salsa, followed by cabbage and fish. To finish, add some hot sauce and plain yogurt if you desire. Bon Appetite!!!

What else, well, I vomited in the water while surfing for the first time. That was kind of funny. Sorry to add that following talk about food. Yeah, it was a combination of having cereal with milk and yogurt right before hitting a very windy/wavy day. I was most worried about the fish that might come up to explore the meal-time that i just provided. I made sure to paddle away FAST!

Vanessa thought it was a grand idea for us girls to go for a 7am jog this morning to Langosta. Bad idea. The heat got to Lolls and I. Vans had to leave us in the dust. I felt like a heater was implanted in my head and Lolls almost relived my experience in the water but on land. Not sure if I'll continue with the morning jog. Vaness, I was tres impressed with your efforts!

Happy Easter to you all!!

P.S. someone drink a caesar for me this weekend. I'm drying for one!