Las Playas de Manuel Antonio

Early Friday morning Denise and I set out on our journey to Manuel Antonio. First we had to take a taxi to the bus stop at 5:15 in the morning and then a long four hour bus ride through the mountains and on two lane roads we finally arrived in Manuel Antonio. We quickly found the hostel where we would be staying. The rooms were small only big enough for the two beds and a small table. The bathroom was just as small and all the girls staying at the hostel had to share. Not something I am use to. After we got settled in we both changed into our suits and headed down to the beach which was only 120 m from the hostel. When we first got down to the beach we were bombarded by the locals trying to sell us whatever they could. The one good thing that was being sold was chairs with umbrellas. Definitely a must with the hot sun. Once we bought our chairs and laid out our towels Butch came around and asked us if we wanted cocktails. We decided we'd better wait until at least 11 (it was only 9 in the morning). Butch ended up becoming one of our new friends, we saw all three days we were there. He was so funny, always coming over and giving us a hard time. We spent most of the morning and early afternoon out on the beach and in the water which was actually pleasant to be in. Around 3 we went back to the hostel to shower and get ready for the 2 for 1 happy hour we saw down the road. Such a great deal. You got two cocktails for the price of one. After happy hour we got to see the sunset over the water. It was spectacular. I can't tell you the last time I saw the sunset over the Pacific ocean. It has been a very long time. We had dinner back at our hostel and the food was great. We met a few of the locals, they new a little bit of English and we helping me learn my Spanish.

Seema and Katherina met up with us in the evening on Saturday. We hung out at the beach for a little more then went and got ready for happy hour again. We all called it an early night that night. While Seema and Katherina went to the park Sunday morning, Denise and I went for our surf lessons. Wow was that an awesome experience. Well, after the little incident with the coast guard. Denise and I paddle out with the instructor and while he is helping Denise with her first wave and I am sitting there waiting for my turn, I notice that I seem to be drifting further from them. I tried paddling in closer and all I seemed to do was go further and further away. At this point, I started to have a mild panic attack and think I am never going to get back into shore and had no idea what to do. Next thing I know a coast guard guy on a jet ski is coming closer to me telling me I need to go in closer to shore, well no crap I need to do that! But how in the hell am I suppose to that.( this is what I was thinking when he initially told me that). After a few more minutes he was able to help me get back closer to the instructor. To make matters worse, the whole time this is going on the instructor is yelling to me "mi Amiga, where are you going?" As if I could control that! Once that chaos was over I was able to enjoy my surf lesson a little bit more. Another instructor came out so it was one on one and he taught it a little differently. I actually stood up on the board a few times, but fell off really quickly. Then all of a sudden I stood up the next time and actually kept my balance and rode the wave all the way into shore. I was so proud of myself that I decided it was best to quite while I was ahead.There was enough excitement for one morning.
The rest of the morning we just enjoyed being on the beach and in the water. We had until 3 before we needed to get showers and be able to catch the bus at 4:30 back to San Jose. No one wanted to leave such a beautiful place. The whole trip was such an amazing experience. I felt as though I was in paradise the entire time and could stay forever.

We arrived back in San Jose around 8:30 and made it back safe and sound to my host family around 9. It was a very long day but worth every minute of it. I cannot believe that I spent my first weekend here in a place like Manuel Antonio. I cannot wait for more adventures to come on the remaining weekends I am here.

Love,
The adventure seeking girl