Hang Diez

Guess who surfed!! THIS GUY!! <-- I was determined to not get owned by the waves. Instead, I was to OWN the waves. I managed to stand up long enough to scream and wave my arms so people can see me. I surfed in the white water part, not actual waves (which I guess, were really small anyways). Ya, tell that to the saltwater in my nose and everywhere else.

I'm not huge on surfing, but it was a fun challenge. And when you do time it out just right and finally stand up, it's so exciting. It just completely wipes me out, I don't know how people can do that for hours at a time. I mean, they must be in better shape than me, if that's possible. The best wave I caught was so fun that I didn't want to ruin it by trying to stand up, so I rode it in like a boogie board. The water at Playa Hermosa was so clear and beautiful and warm. This is my favorite place. Another fun dia libre on the beach! (Turns out I only have 1 more left. Hold me.)

This is a pic of Playa Yanqui -- we didnt stay here because of the lack of waves. Or something. I wish we did hang a little longer, but we headed out to Hermosa right away. (I guess waves are kind of a big deal). Also, in the distance is Costa Rica getting pummeled by a huge storm. Heeeey!

From Just In The Nica Time

Heey

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From Just In The Nica Time

From Just In The Nica Time

Crab! These guys crack me up. They walk sideways for crying out loud.

From Just In The Nica Time

From Just In The Nica Time

From Just In The Nica Time

On The Rocks, With Salt (in my wounds)

Another dia libre! My day off was yesterday, weather was on my side, and I got another fun beach day out of it. Hooray! Annette, Kiley, Danny, AB, and I trekked out to Playa Madera-- another surfer's paradise. We get there and the waves were pretty intense and going in every direction. Lucky for me, there were some nice rocks to go climb on, with tide pools. Did I say lucky for me? Because sure enough I ate shit and slid down those rocks on my ass and stomach and elbows and knees! TWICE! I was just about to turn around to get my camera to come back for some pics, and before I knew it, I was on my butt, covered in mud and algae, and maybe hermit crabs. I got scraped and banged up pretty bad, and once I realized I didn't die, I busted up laughing for about 5 minutes. On my way back to Annette, I noticed some more green algae on the rocks, and before I could step the other way, I was already on my ass again. It was hilarious.

Check me out going for a surf!

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Just kidding. That's Kylie. But those are the rocks that I became pretty intimate with in the horizon. I had even mentioned to Annette "Man, those rocks look like a fun water slide". THEY WERE, SORT OF.

I eventually got convinced to try surfing, but just in the little waves out front. The salt water on my scraped knees was exhilarating, as was the whiplash I got every time I fell off the board. MAN, it was exhausting and so not my thing. (Today I feel like I got into a car accident or something). I tried it about 5 times. One of those times, I think I managed to have both feet on the board for a whole second. I'm really glad I tried it, and I miiiiight maaaybe try it again. Needless to say the Toña and fish tacos were the best part.

From Just In The Nica Time

From Just In The Nica Time

Then later, hit up some poolside at the Pelican resort. This is where I don't live:

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The accomodations there are so sweet, people refer to Palermo (where I live, in the villa, mind you) the favelas. (Yep, slums). Funny.

More funny. An actual Aussie (Danny) playing an actual didgeridoo.

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Fun dia libre!

So, Where's The Boardwalk?

Yesterday was my dia libre. And what A. DAY. All I wanted to do was visit one of the surfing beaches I keep hearing about. So, me and 4 other amigos piled into 2 trucks and drove out in the middle of somewhere. 20 minutes of unpaved, bumpy roads and across some rios, and some howler monkey sightings, we finally got to Playa Hermosa. Helllloooo Playa Hermosa. This is the beach where they film the challenges for the show, and it's closed off to the public... much to the "aw hell naw" of visiting surfers who try to surf here. But, WE CAN GO THERE!

There was absolutely no one on this beach. The sun was out. The water was warm. It was a little bit (a lot) ridiculous. I splashed around on the beach, up and down the shore, up and down, splish splash. 20 minutes later, my friend says I'm doing it wrong, and if I do that, sting rays will get me. GREEEAT. So, then after that, I ended doing the exact opposite of marching/splashing, and instead, just gently swishing my feet in the sand. (I really lose the water splash effect, but whatever).

The dudes went surfing, I did not. RIGHT as I was talked into trying the surf, we hear a scream in the water, and this guy is getting carried out. Some dudebro went and got stung by a gd stingray! Just as soon as I agreed to try surfing, I immediately chickened out. Next time, I swear. (I'm scared, so what).

THEN! We saw some whales out in the distance! GAH. This was exciting. We could see the water shooting up, there must of been about 5 or 6... SO amazing. Even neater was walkie talking the whale sightings to basecamp, so they could notify the helicopter crew. 10 minutes later, Ken & his helicopter were circling around the area. Go team!

After a few hours of surf (watching), Toñas, hammocking, we head back and grab some lunch at this little restaurant/house and of course I have the best tasting fish and rice ever. It's just one of those days, you guys. Once again, I got really lucky, and I was so thankful for every little moment. Ohhh equalizer, where are you?

From Just In The Nica Time

From Just In The Nica Time

From Just In The Nica Time