SOUTHERN CARIBBEAN BEACHES

Monday November 9th from Puerto Viejo, Coasta Rica:

At the extreme Southern end of Coasta Rica, on the Carribean Coast, there is about a 110 kilometer stretch of open beach.  It runs from just South of Puerto Limon down to Manzanillo which is right at the Panamanian Border.  There is virtually unlimited access to the beach.  There are no condominiums, no gated communities, no Burger Kings, no Kentucky Fried Chicken, nothing that would remind you of home.  ( Except there are a lot of younger Americans here)

The beaches here have a much more Carribean feel to them. The population is a little darker. The food is nice and spicy. The sauces will immediately breaks you into a sweat (if you're not sweating already) In fact the best two meals I have had on my whole trip have been here. The music tends a little less to Latino and has a little more of a Reggae beat.  I spent all of yesterday exploring this area.  The waves have much better shape to them than on the Pacific side, and there is a surprising amount of Ground Swell. The fishing is great,and the water is so clear, I can see my feet (clearly) standing in five feet of water. I don't have air cond. in my room, so I spent half the night sleeping in a hammock on the balcony. I could hear the waves breaking across the street at about 40 yards.  It was just right. Why would anyone want to be anywhere else?

My neighbor at the hotel, Jim, an American apparently can't answer that question. He's been here 4 months. And, he has no plans for leaving.  One problem, Coasta Rica is expensive, and these beaches are no exception.  My two pound lobster for lunch cost me 40 bucks.  The fish Burrito I had for supper (made with Marlin) was about $10.  I don't think I had ever eaten Marlin before. To me it´s much better than Swordfish.

I have photos, but I won't post them till I get to Panama. Right now I don't want anything to disturb my tranquillity, especially not the computer. I will put most of the photos on the side, but I do have one where I could see a big point break way far off.  I will put that one at the  bottom, and you surfer guys might get a glimpse of how it might be.  I did get to do some body surfing in front of the hotel this morning. It was delightful. Oddly, the water seems saltier here. You can float like a cork with no effort.

Love from tio guy..