Christmas in Costa Rica Part III

Tamarindo Beach

Day Five:

 The next day we went to Tamarindo Beach. I really wanted to go there because I read so many great things about the beach, the food, shopping, and night life. So Breck went across the street to talk with our neighbors (who lived in the shack) and asked them what taxi they would recommend. We had called different taxi services to see how much it would cost us to get a ride to Tamarindo which was about 30 minuets away, but most of the places said 50 dollars or more, and I didn't pay that much, plus every time we called back to confirm, the price would go up again. I was so glad that we had three kids who were fluent in Spanish because it seemed like everywhere we went, or everything we tried to buy, peopled would rip us off, just because we were American, but as soon as the kids would begin talking in Spanish, the price would always come down a little, and then Breck would negotiate to bring down the price even more. The taxi came which was a beat-up little sedan, and since there were six of us, the driver said we would have to go in two trips, but it would cost double (of course). So Breck negotiated the price down to 35 dollars for all of us. The downside was that us girls, who went first, had to wait an hour four Brad and Breck to get to Tamarindo.

 On the way to Tamarindo we drove by Flamingo and Brasilito beaches (above, through the taxi cab window). These beaches were within walking distance of Potrero, so I was hoping to explore them as well, but we just ran out of time. Conchal beach was another place I wanted to see because the locals said it was the most beautiful beach in the area, but it was south of Tamarindo, and I didn't want to pay big bucks just to go and see. 

 Tamarindo was definitely more crowded and touristy than any other place we had been to. There were tons of hotels, restaurants, and shopping. We did a little window-shopping, but prices were way to high for us to buy anything. 

Main street had a few Gelato shops, so we all ordered a scoop, and it did not disappoint, (I do consider myself somewhat of a gelato connoisseur after tasting it all over Italy), but Aubrey's watermelon sorbet was by far the best!

 After paying to use the restroom, and stopping at a little market for water and Brittney-friendly snacks, we decided to check out the beach. 

The view of the ocean was beautiful,

and the beach was vast,

 with the perfect sized waves for board or body surfing.

 The girls and I checked out the waves earlier in the day, but decided to read and sunbathe on the beach until Brad and Breck arrived. 

Eventually, we all spent some good quality time in the big waves, trying not to get ran over by surfers, and ingesting our fair share of salt water.

 Shells we collected at Tamarindo Beach.

 After spending a few hour at Tamarindo, we decided it just wasn't for us. It was a little too crowded and too expensive, with too many vendors trying to sell their  trinkets to us on the beach. 

 So Breck went to work finding us a decent ride back to Potrero. Instead of approaching all the taxi drivers that were actively soliciting, he went and spoke with what looked liked a homeless man on the street. After going back and forth in Spanish, the man found all of us a ride home, together, in a van that wasn't falling apart, at a very reasonable price. The reason Breck asked the homeless man is because the taxi drivers were working together to rip off all the tourist while the homeless guy was just minding his own business (street sense! of course Breck did just spend two years on the streets of Argentina).

Dinner at Estero Azul 

 On the drive back, we asked our driver for dinner recommendations, so he dropped us off at his favorite restaurant which "had the freshest fish!" 

It just so happened that his favorite place was one of our favorite places, Estero Azul, where we ate our first night in Potrero, only this time, Brittney and Aubrey were able to come along. While we were eating Brad said he liked my hair, but not until I was getting in the shower that night did I finally see my hair in the mirror. Let me tell you folks, this picture does not do it justice. It was like bedhead, only on steroids! That's the great thing about vacationing at the beach, you never have to worry about your make-up, or hair, or anything! Just apply sun screen and bug spray, throw on a swim suit, shorts and t-shirt, and you're off! Ahhh, beach life!!!

Puntarenas Province, Quepos, Costa Rica

Day Six:

"Casa Wow"

After a four hour drive from Potrero we arrived at Quepos, which is a town located in Costa Rica's central Pacific Coast, and is known as a gateway to Manuel Antonio National Park. We rented a home for a little over a week, called Casa Wow. When we saw the pictures online we did say "wow", but after touring the place in person we realized it was a little more rustic than the pictures portrayed, and definitely needed a thorough cleaning and decluttering, but we sure enjoyed staying there none-the-less! Above is the entrance gate to the property.

View of Casa Wow from the street below.

View of Casa Wow from the grounds. 

  A papaya tree right next to the pool. 

 All the different types of foliage on the property were beautiful.

 Outdoor eating area. There was also a large patio with lounge chairs, and two large wrap-round decks in back--one on each level of the house.

 Views of the road below and more fine homes across the way.

 View of the outdoor shower from the upper deck.

 Mountain views from the front yard.

 Mountain views from the back decks.

Casa Wow also had the most amazing sunsets!

Day Seven:

Dinner at "Kukula" with Blake, Josie, and Family

Brad's bother Blake and his family, had been touring Costa Rica the same time as us, only their adventures began a little earlier, and on the Caribbean side of the country. After a wild trip through the interior of Costa Rica via rental car, they finally met up with us at the Maxi Pali (Walmart) in Quepos.

After loading up on groceries, we were too tired and hungry to cook so we ate dinner at Kukula, which was highly recommended by the locals. However, finding the place was kind of a nightmare (did I mention that there are no addresses in Costa Rica?). After walking all over town (in oppressive heat and humidity), and asking numerous people (again, so grateful to have Spanish speakers in the family), we finally found it!

The best part to me was having Blake, Josie, and kids there with us, and drinking the fresh fruit shakes! 

My chicken with beans and rice meal was okay, but I should have ordered the fish.

 Merinda's meal, however, was hands down the best! She ordered spaghetti and vegetables.

Casa Wow with the Cousins

That evening we enjoyed visiting and catching up with Blake and family.

 Brittney and I then figured out where everyone would sleep, and made up the extra beds and couches. The three boys got the couches (Breck sleeping on his couch),

 and the four girls shared the downstairs bedroom. Brittney (who was plum worn-out) and Aubrey slept in the two single beds,

 and Emily (also out-cold) and Merinda shared the pull-out couch. 

Day Eight:

LDS Branch in Quepos

 The next day was Sunday and Christmas Eve day. We really wanted to attend church in Costa Rica and luckily we found an LDS church right in the town of Quepos. 

It was a small branch, but the building was brand new.

 Brittney, Aubrey, and Breck each sat on a separate row and translated the hour-long service for both of our families. 

Between our family, Blake's family, and a family we met from Kaysville, Utah (they also had a daughter who served a mission in Chile and a son who just returned from Argentina) we doubled the attendance. 

After Sacrament Meeting we enjoyed visiting and eating treats made by some Sisters in the Branch. 

(I love the photo-bombing couple in back--it seems like the man has some repenting to do!) 

 I also thought it was pretty cool that practically the only Americans we saw during our whole time in Costa Rica, were Mormon, with so many similarities.

Family Time at Casa Wow 

 After church, while still in our Sunday best, we took family pictures on the grounds of Casa Wow. This picture was taken in the front yard.

 This picture was taken in the side-yard,

and this lovely picture in the backyard behind the pool.

While making dinner, Blake found this little moth in the kitchen while looking for a serving platter. Even though it wasn't alive, it still kind of creeped me out.

That night for dinner we ate delicious grilled hamburgers and a fresh fruit salad (I loved eating all the fresh fruit in Costa Rica!).   

 It was so nice to see and visit with Blake, Josie, Jack, Sam, and Emily again!