As I wind down my last few days here before returning to the states, I had to go back to Tamarindo. Playa Grande is just around the bend from the far right side of this beach. My two neighbors and I picked up another friend in Brasilito Beach for a last visit to Tamarindo. What a fun time. Dinner at The Roof was awesome. I recommend this place for a sunset dinner overlooking all Tamarindo Beach and city. It’s French for one more week then an Indian chef takes over, but they say they will incorporate a blend of the existing menu and add some great curries.
I included this map to show how far out of your way you have to go in the car. One of those places that there is no easy way between these two beaches. There lies a river right by the Witch’s Rock surf camp and it looks easy enough to cross. But it is impossible and you must take a boat that 50 yards. The river mouth where it hits the Pacific, and is loaded with crocodiles, waiting for a bite of lunch. I mean YOU!!
But back to Playa Grande. Just one beach away (4 km.) is Playa Grande. There were no rooms in Tamarindo for the night so I stayed in Playa Grande. It was a ghost town. The beach is exactly that, grande. I estimate at least 3 miles of beach with huge waves and a wicked rip current. This beach, I will leave to the good surfers. It was pretty scary, the waves, I mean. I was the ONLY guest in this hotel. It was weird. After dinner, I drove back to Playa Grande, my friends opted to stay in the Tamarindo hostel with a bunch of others. It’s not for me, so I found this inexpensive hotel in Playa Grande called The Park Hotel and Villas.
Very cute, tastefully done and the most soft sheets and pillows. About 30 rooms a great patio and pool area, and only a quick 5 minute down the street to the beach. I would recommend this hotel. It’s really great and they cook you a free breakfast of anything you want.
This is the beach. I took these pics in the afternoon about 2PM. I couldn’t fit it in my lens. It was deserted, I had the only footprints in the sand, deserted like the town and the hotel. The largest beach I can recall ever seeing, and I’m the only one. The water was so warm, just like I remembered last year.
On the way to dinner in Tamarindo, I couldn’t resist pulling off the road for this amazing shot of the sunset over the mountain and through this field.
Sure is a huge difference in people. Tamarindo, as I’ve mentioned in a prior post, is busy, crowded streets, tourists, lots of surf “bums” living on the cheap; all the time.
I have decided that I will put roots in Las Palmas, Coco Beach. BUT, I love it here. I’m just going to visit occasionally, but live near my job because I love my job. And Coco is one great town, with just enough happening for me and anyone who would like to come visit. Please visit. I’m meeting lots of people, getting a lot of information. The biggest reason if I feel totally safe here and know most of my neighbors.
Back to Playa Grande. I was shocked when I walked the beach again the next morning around 6AM. Where did all these people come from? Lots of surfers and spectators. The waves looked to big for me, but the riders were surely digging it. And lots of people watching.
I can’t believe I’m have such difficulty uploading these great images of Playa Grande. I know for one, I can’t work without a mouse. How in the heck do you people use laptops without a mouse. I really wanted them uploaded as it’s one of my last posts until my return. Bummed….If I can I’ll upload on next post.
Tomorrow is my last day of work. I am surely going to miss the animals terribly. Because things everyday at the refuge, who knows what I’ll be coming back to. I don’t want to leave, but I do. I have run out of stuff and since EVERYTHING is so expensive here, I’m lugging two empty suitcases home to fill. I have somewhere to store my stuff in a safe place. (Fingers crossed).
I’ll be snapping pics of the animals tomorrow, mostly so I can see how they’ve grown. Who’s here, who’s set free, whose found a home (bunnies and farm animals only).
Out of the snow and into the heat 