Mike Ming: 090501 Costa Rica part 2, Middle of the trip

This is part 2 of the trip. The waves were not getting old, but we were checking out other spots, like a boat harbor, where ALL the locals were staring at us because we drove in with a van topped with 7 boards on the roof. The guys in the bar were very helpful, yelling out suggestions to go Jaco, instead. The people in the water was staring at us... we are silly gringos.

Our local beach is actually part of a national turtle sanctuary beach called, playa hermosa. A few kilometers down from our house complex was The Turtle conservatory. One of the days, while we were waiting for the tide to change, we drove to the conservatory to check the beach for yertle turtle. Unfortunately, he was not to be found and I m quite sure we were in the wrong season for turtles on the beach. What we did see was miles and miles of driftwood, nature's own driftwood gallery! As far as the eye could see, it was all washed up wood. That was really cool.

I left a piece in the gallery.

Art work for climbing.

Looking down from the top.

Dr Jones?

I think this is where the scientists hide out when the turtles show up.

My man keeping all the crows out of here. What crows? Exactly.

Bike with Machete. Where does this bike go?

We surfed some more and hang out at the beach. Our priority on this trip was to spend as much time in the water as possible. Even at night we ended up hanging out at the beach or pool. There were bats in the evenings and birds in the day.

Believe it or not. A lightning brightening up the night sky. Long exposure.

A half moon brightening the sea and making beautiful reflection.

'are you guys in some band?' We got that sometime.

working on the band shot.

I saw crabs, iguanas, frogs, geckos, cows, burros, horses, rays, pelicans, macaws and other assorted animals and birds I have no name for.

Crab in the sand.

Bull holding the ground, ain't gonna let some silly person take Him Spot.

A beautiful bird.

Our neighbor, Killer.

Our loiter dog.

Every morning, these guys were out patrolling the waves, riding better than any of us with a board...

The biggest downside of this trip was the crackheads and car thieves. Yes, we did get our car broken into and we lost about 4 cameras and a few backpacks. Fortunately, we did not lose any passports. We had one day where we went to the police and spent two hours filling a report on the thievery.

Policia Tourista. Taking notes.

The following day, we went to boca baranca. I didn t take any flicks, cause I am an idiot, but the sign did claim it to be the world's longest left. From what we got, it was a long left and that day, I spent the time on the spot riding a 9'5" long board! I learned to paddle on my knees! I've always wanted to learn to do that AND I stood on the thing in between lulls just standing up right!! Long Boards can be fun as heck! YEAH! No flicks of this tho'... Oh well.

Morning ritual.

A chinese board unable to withstand the heat of the tropics. The foam collapsed on itself. Surfer, be aware!

Oeste Beach.. er.. Playa Oeste.

Not really nothing to do with Playa Hermosa but really, MR T!! A TEAM!! here in san jose, seems he is the idol of mechanics!

On the drive to and from san jose to jaco or anywhere else it would seem is switch backs and mountain ranges. ahh.. the tropics and mountains. Can it be more intense?
Still, these roads are all very civil. Can you imagine if it was all dirt roads?
What the heck can you do when it rained too much? I m thinking mud slides and long plummets to the death. Makes me really appreciate nature and her Good Temper.

We had a power outing, twice. The second time, it lasted a couple hours?.. but, we knew about that and honestly, it was as if it was raining or something comparable to flowers blooming in the spring, business as usual. or not business.