Surf, Eat, Sleep

Written August 12th... between traveling around and lack of internet connection and downtime between surf sessions, it's taken me a while to post! Thanks for reading and enjoy :)

Sure enough, we have been waking up with the sun each morning in the Skybox. Wow. I really can't describe what it's like to wake up with the ocean right in your bedroom. Instant ocean/wave connection to start your day. For a surfer or a lover of the ocean, this is everything. Being in the Skybox, it feels like we have "the surfing channel" on all day, every day. There have been a couple times where I will just sit and watch people surfing for what seems like an eternity, and can't pull myself away!

Watching the "Surfing Channel" at 6am on Friday morning. Can you see the little spec to the left of center? That's a surfer about to get dumped on! We see lots of good wipeouts and such

We have a pet iguana. I have never been into feeding wild animals, but I gave him a little piece of my banana today as he scampered past the little roof outside our "porch" railing. He took it right from my hand but accidentally bit my finger. Just a little nip, no big deal.

We are leaving for Santa Teresa in the Nicoya Peninsula tomorrow, for two nights. We worked it out so we can take a boat over instead of driving, to save time and to avoid bad roads. Anyway, when we come back, we requested the Skybox again. Jason has someone renting it, so we have to rent the cabina below it instead. I'm not gonna lie, I was slightly heartbroken. I told Sheena, "let's tell Jason to tell the people we will switch with them if they want, I mean I could see how some people would not like the Skybox." Sheena says,"yeah, we'll tell them it's open-aired, has no AC, and has a pet iguana." "A pet iguana THAT BITES!" I added! So hopefully our FIERCE iguana will drive them to make the switch!

Our pet iguana. Not sure the story on his halfa-tail

The past couple days we really have just been surfing, eating, and sleeping. We've had some fun 4-6 foot waves, and both Sheena and I have had some good ones! I have had some real long rides with some good steep-ness to the wave where I get to do a lot of turns and cutbacks the whole way down. Good lefts AND rights, really fun. Most of the time the wind has been offshore and thus, the waves clean, but even when the winds are onshore or side-shore creating a little chop, the waves are still fun with decent form. Lots of nice people in the lineup. I've been more on my quiet surfing mode, but Sheena has been making lots of friends out there! Seems like near the beginning of every new session, there'll be a time where I am paddling back up to the lineup after catching a wave only to find Sheena is chatting with a new friend. Those of you that know her know that she is super-friendly, and will not be surprised by that. So then I join the conversation and get to make a new friend by association. :)

I can't say we've been super social other than that! We've had some after surf beers at sunset and made friends at the bar, but we haven't been going out yet at night. It's funny because we are in a pretty big party town with a lot going on at night, but we are too worn out from surfing to actually go out. Last night, for instance, we were supposed to meet up with some friends at the Backyard bar in Hermosa. We were there before anyone else, had a drink, and decided to take Sheena's camera back to our hotel so she wouldn't have to carry it all night. But as soon as we got done climbing all the stairs to the 4th story, I laid on the bed, Sheena sat in the rocking chair, and we both passed OUT!

Yes, this has been happening a lot lately

Besides surfing today, we also went to Los Suenos Marriott resort in Herradura, just to the north. This is a world-class, immaculate resort, which seems very out of place compared to the modest, simple towns surrounding it. They have an incredible labyrinth/lazy-river style pool with lots of turns and sections that looks out over the ocean and mountains. Between it and the ocean, a huge lawn with shady almond trees, coconut palms, lounge chairs, and hammocks. We got in some relaxation time here by swimming in the pool, lounging in the sun and shade, and even having a cocktail at the swim-up bar.

Sheena relaxing in a hammock at Los Suenos

(are you sensing a theme here with Sheena and hammocks?)

Me swimming in the Los Suenos pool

Here, we also learned of the speed-boat that takes you to Montezuma, just next to Mal Pais and Santa Teresa. I have heard from many of my surfer friends that this area is one of the most, if not THE most, beautiful areas of Costa Rica, with amazing waves to boot. So we arranged a ride over on the boat for tomorrow morning. We will stay two days and nights there to get in some more surfing and to explore this new paradise.

Can't wait to report back on Santa Teresa!

Pura Vida :)

Courtney

That's what I look like blogging from the skybox

Sheena watching the surfing channel at dusk

There's even a view from the shower!!

Jaco sunset

These are funny... we realized we could make great shadow puppets on the little roof off of our "porch" when we had the lights on in the skybox...

... this was my "swan"

This is Sheena's "horse"

Another funny story... this guy was teaching water aerobics at Los Suenos. His only students were a couple in their mid to late 50s, and an 8 year-old girl. He was really into it, and was blaring "I'm in Miami Bitch" and other inappropriate songs as he taught. Little girl was rocking out to all the tunes... hilarious