Playa Negra and the Countryside

On the last excursion before the end of the trip, we went north to Playa Negra to meet up with Oliver and Brian who travelled there a few days prior.  After an insane drive through the country and seeing the true greenery and forests of the country, we made our way towards the coast.  We knew of a big swell that was hitting that day and we couldnt have gotten there fast enough.  We got there and it was firing, 7-10 feet, way bigger than everything ive ever surfed in my life, but i still went out.  After a 20 minute paddle out, it was just me and the boys with sets rolling in left and right.  I sat for a while to get used to it and study the waves.  30 minutes later I saw a perfect wave roll in and went for it.  Good drop, set my line, butttt the nose caught and I went over the falls and taken to the bottom.  My lease caught on a rock and I was held down for 20 or 30 seconds getting tossed around like a ragdoll.  I thought it was over for me, but a break in the waves allowed me to unstrap my lease and get to the surface.  I took 2 more waves on the head but I got back out after a little and wanted more.  I caught a few more smaller waves before it got too big, 10-15 feet.  I went in and called it a day.  Great trip, great waves and stories to scare the shit out of my dad with.  We left with Oliver and Brian back to Tamarindo for a last night at the bars before they went back and scored the waves of their lives.

local supporters

brian on the day after 

Family Dinner

Garrett studied in Costa Rica prior to us going there and stayed with a host family a few towns away.  He wanted to surprise them so we hired a taxi and decided to go over one night.  Without any notice we just showed up.  I was extremely surprised to see the conditions the people lived in outside of the resort towns.  A neighborhood of small houses, no bigger than an average family room, tin roof, holes in the cinderblock walls.  I mean they weren't living in the middle ages, they still had running water, electric and TV, but it was still an eye opener to what I was used to in America.  They were all stoked, a full family of 10 with another baby on the way that was their daughters.  Three generations under one roof.  They brought us in and right away started cooking dinner, talking story (of which i didnt understand a word since it was all spanish) but I still interacted and they talked to me in what english they knew.  They were the nicest people in the world.  Barely able to afford much, they stuffed our faces with native foods and drink until we were in a full on food coma.  We stayed until the wee hours of the morning laughing the entire time and playing soccer with the kids in the "neighborhood".  Without a doubt a highlight of my trip and an experience that I will never forget. Pura Vida

Gil's

A mandatory meal that we had everyday, Gil's Restaurant.  This dude Gil met this lady here and moved his life to Tamarindo and opened up this place.  Great burritos and traditional Costa Rican food.  BUT, I must've eaten about 20 fish burritos on this trip and I crave them to this day.  The slogan of the restaurant says it all, "no shirt, no shoes, we don't care, come on in!"

The Place

Oliver enjoying a pint

Brian

Garrett

Night on the Town

The boys heard that a MMA and boxing match were coming to one of the local bar venues.  Our hostel manager hooked us up with some front row VIP ticket.  Great food and drinks while we watched the guys pummeling eachothers faces in.  The local boys were up in the trees watching and were pretty much sitting over the ring.  One of the Brit's had a few too many Imperials and saw this mom that was from North Carolina who was here with her three kids while the husband was at home and was relentless.  He was convinced that he was taking her home.  Probably one of the highlights of the trip as he was macking on this mom, arm around her right in front of her kids.  

Tamarindo

Tamarindo is where we stayed most of the trip - a popular beach town that was rich in culture and had some of the funniest people I've ever met.  Here are a few pics of the town, places I went and stayed.  The hotel is great, cant beat the prices ($15 a night for a 3 bed, full kitchen, A/C, Wifi, and great people).  If yall are planning to go here, Chocolate Hostel and 5-star Hotel is the place to be: http://www.thechocolatehostel.com/

Garret and the Boys from Jersey (the british island)

the real locals

view of east tamarindo and playa negra from the massive mansion on the hilltop

hiding underneath my shoe

plants at the hostel

best bar in town

Senora - the house cat

Ben had a rough night at the bar

first day at tamarindo, late avro surf

Travels to Costa Rica

Costa Rica has to be the most beautiful country that I have been to so far in my life.  The locals that I met there were so nice and generous trying to make you happy with what little they had.  I stayed for a little more than two weeks and met up with my friend Garrett from California.  We stayed at the Chocolate Hostel and Hotel which was this rad little place with full size studio apartments for $15 a night.  We might some Aussies and people from all over the world who stayed there as well.  The goal of my trip was a surf trip to get away from the lack of surf in New Jersey (where I'm from) and explore a region of the world I have yet to go.  We went to a few different areas of the country and each place brought something new.  I'm stoked to have been able to go here and cant wait to get back.  The next few posts will be from different parts of the trip - Enjoy!