On April 10th 2024 we took a Pura Vida pause and flew to Tampa, Florida for my cousin Tyler's wedding. The next six days we would be surrounded by family and friends and celebrating not only Tyler's wedding but all of us being together. We ate a lot, drank a lot and spent a lot of time together. I am the oldest of 18 cousins. 10 of them are married and I have yet to miss a wedding and have no intention of starting no matter where in the world I am.
Family Time
The Happy Couple
Party Time
Rays Baseball Game
Ladies Pool Time
When we returned to Costa Rica we were exhausted and wrung out. We didn't have much time because Sami was coming the following day. We borrowed our friends rental car and did a big provision, laundry and got the boat ready.
Back Home
On April 17th Sam arrived. After a catch up session on the boat we threw on our suits and made our way up to the marina pool where we swam and Sam napped in the hammock. It was a very relaxing afternoon. From the pool we walked next door to the marina restaurant- Dive Bar and had an early dinner before making our way back to the boat.
Monkey Chillin By The Pool
Dinner at Dive Bar
The next day was much like the previous. We slept in late and moved slowly around the boat. At some point we packed our bag and walked to the pool at the Andaz resort and spent the entire afternoon there. We had lunch, swam, saw monkeys and read and relaxed the entire day. Later we came back to the boat and I made dinner.
Walking to the Andaz
Sam Enjoying the Pool
Monkeys at the Pool
Marina Papagayo From Pool
Having fully exhausted the pools we decided to hit the road and head to the La Leona Waterfall. What we didn't realize was how difficult the hike to the falls was going to be. Think ropes and ladders and rock climbing. It was nothing for Sam and our young 20 something guide but Jeff and I struggled but somehow made it and man was it worth it. As we rode the last rapids and were shot into the falls we could hear the echoes of other people laughing and talking and when the falls came into site it was amazing. We spent about 20 minutes standing near, swimming too and taking lots of photos with the falls. It was incredible. All of the hard work and difficulty getting there was well worth it.
Ready To Hike
Hiking
Bat Cave
Rope Ride Into the Falls
Sam Swimming the the Falls
Bonus Falls
Hiking Back
Lunch After Hike
Ever since we arrived at Marina Papagayo we've been hearing about this surf town called Tamarindo. The next day we once again borrowed Pause's rental car and made the hour and a half drive to the beach. The day was excruciatingly hot and I wondered how it was going to work. I was layered in my long sleeve sun shirt, long pants and sun hat trying to hide from my arch nemesis the sun. The air conditioned car ride cooled us down nicely and when we arrived we were blasted with that all mighty punch to the face that is summer in Costa Rica. We were happy to find a vegan restaurant for lunch and the overhead fans while providing some hot breeze was not enough to cool us down. I don't know if it's a cost thing or what by not one single restaurant we've been to in Costa Rica has air conditioning. Everything is wide open with or without fans. I don't get it. We would eat in a place that was terrible just to sit in air conditioning. Fortunately the food was good and we set out to walk in the afternoon sun exploring the cute town of Tamarindo. The streets were lined with various shops- clothing stores, souvenir shops, restaurants and an ice cream shop that Jeff and Sam got an afternoon snack in. Maybe around 4o'clock I hit a heat wall and couldn't be outdoors anymore and we all headed back to the car. We made one final stop in Playa de Coco to check out that beach that was full of local families enjoying the park and the beach and just hanging around. Dinner was at a place called Ginger which our dockmaster recommended. None of us were that impressed and I for one was ready for air conditioning and being back on the boat.
Lunch in Tamarindo
Tamarindo Beach
Walking Around Town
Playa De Coco
Pretty Tree - Playa De Coco
Locals Hanging Playa De Coco
Dinner at Ginger
The next day we decided we needed some boat time. Sometime after breakfast we threw lines and headed an hour and a half around the peninsula to Bahia Huevos were we dropped the hook next to our friends Beth and Larry on Pause. We swam and took the dingy up the estuary to see the birds and animals and then went over to Pause for happy hour. It was the perfect boat day. So perfect in fact that we decided to spent the night. It was just so great being away from the dock. We were missing cruising and being free and this gave us just the taste we needed.
Anchored Next to Pause
Heron in the Estuary
Pause Cruising the Estuary
The Estuary
Mangroves
Cruising the Estuary with Sam
Swimming of the Boat
Tidings Of Joy at Sunset
Sam with Pebbles on Pause
The next morning we pulled anchor and meandered back to the marina. It was nice being on the hook but time to head back. Sam and Jeff made a b-line for the Andaz pool while I hung back on the boat. My skin had enough sun the last few days and I was more then happy to have a.c. boat day to myself. Jeff and Sam had a nice day swimming and spotting monkeys and relaxing by the pool while I got the boat put back together. That night we had Sam's bon voyage dinner at The Four Seasons restaurant. The food was excellent and it was a gorgeous restaurant perfect for wrapping up our time with Sam. The next morning she flew back to Los Angles.
Monkeys at the Pool
Sam & Jeff Pool Day
Moody Sunset at Marina Papagayo
Dinner at The Four Seasons
