A week's vacation - oh, what shall we do? Let's hit the beach and soak up some sun! Sounds good guys - when do we leave? A grand plan, so we thought! Up until about a week ago, the rainy season has been almost non-existent. Beautiful sunny weather, a 'breeze' to dry clothes outside and only a light rain or thunderstorm in the late afternoon or evening. Out came the map, car gassed up, clothes thrown into a suitcase, a caregiver for Tookie, and we're off!
Playa Samara came highly recommended to us as being a great kid-family friendly beach. Hotel Fenix, another great recommendation from some MFS teachers as a "gotta stay hotel" - plans were coming together and we were off by 10 a.m. Monday morning. We awoke Monday to a constant rain which (little did we know), would be the start of a long, drawn out low pressure system which would linger over Central American for more than a week.
The three hour trip to Samara was uneventful, rain constant and me behind the wheel negotiating the slick roads! We arrived around 1 p.m. at Hotel Fenix and were greeted by Phyllis and Bill, the owners, Seattle transplants! The hotel is right on the beach with six rooms (all equipped with kitchens) that face a small pool and garden. Beyond the pool are palm trees, loungers and hammocks which lead you right to the beach. I can only imagine the place splashed with sunshine - but not this trip!
We stayed the first night in what they call "the Deluxe Room"! It has a TV in the bedroom, air conditioning (which we did not use) and a redone kitchen and bathroom. Very nice, but we actually preferred the other room we had the last night of our stay which was less 'fancy', no air conditioning, but with all the creature comforts of home. All the rooms had a great view of the pool so I could keep my eyes on the boys splashing around while doing the dishes or pouring myself a glass of wine. Guests had access to the hotel's bodega (storage room) to help themselves to the fridge or laundry services - all that was requested was that you be on the honor system and write your room number on a receipt book which hung from a nail "2 beers, Room #5"...how's that for trusting souls!
We would have loved to see the fisherman out on the water reeling in the catch of the day, but the fishing boats remained on shore due to the rocky seas.
We managed to get in about three hours of beach time over the 2 1/2 day stay! The storage room at the hotel had quite a variety of boogie boards to choose from - so the kids made their selection and they were off to conquer the surf! Oh, yes, the surf - well, it was a deep chocolate color, no turquoise/blue waters to be seen on account of Mother Nature. The waves were quite fierce due to the wind and rain, so I was all eyes looking for my two cocoa colored boys in the murky waters. They loved the experience and exhausted themselves - a great match!
COME ON MICHAEL - YOU CAN DO IT!
AND HE'S UP!
ALL SMILES!
John gives a THUMBS UP to Michael for a great ride!
WAY COOL!!!!
Luckily we had loaded the laptop with some Magic Schoolbus movies, so when the heavy rains came, we had some down time and also enjoyed playing some card games. I was able to enjoy an hour's run to Playa Carrillo which was about 3.5 miles down the road. This beach was a classic, lined with palm trees and opening up to a expansive view. We ventured to Carrillo by car as well and got out to explore a bit before we again ran for cover from the rain. You can barely see John as he blended in with the rocks and dark sky with his camo attire. The surfers were coming out of the woodwork as the rains and winds picked up, braving the elements in hopes of catching the perfect wave.
Although the hotel was right on the beach, the rain soothed us to sleep rather than the ocean waves and breeze. Maybe next time!
We headed back up the mountain, it was slow going as the dirt road was covered with new pot-holes and rivulets! The rain continues and has not stopped since Monday (and here it is Friday). I just sent Mike into Santa Elena with our wet laundry to have it dried at the local bookstore (which also rents out their dryer for a small charge). For you Chicagoans, think of this as a winter blizzard (you really want to WANT to go out, make sure you have plenty of food stocked up and break out the card games, crafts and books). We read today online that the heaviest rains are yet to come tomorrow! Where is a wood stove when you need it?
Oh, and the Hermit Crabs - we are making a home for them and Mike is already investigating type of habitat and food they need to survive. I say, 'find a river and dump em'! Yet another saga...
Peace,
Signed: S
No comments:
Post a Comment