Devin and I journeyed down to Sámara from Tamarindo on Saturday to link up with the rest of the de Jong family. We took a taxi and a few buses that cost about $15 each and around 4.5 hours of travel time. I am impressed by Devin’s spanish skills; Cab & Emily…yes, he is actually speaking!!

Michael, Colleen, & Troy flew into the airport near San Jose and drove about five hours through unpredictable Costa Rican roads to meet us in this sweet little beach town! pura vida.

The skies have not quite cleared up yet, but the rain isn’t as persistent as it was for a few days in Tamarindo. Playa Sámara is really a bay that is protected by a reef 6 km out; thus, the waves are truly determined by high and low tides. There was a short window, about an hour before and after high tide, where the waves were surfable. I had a bit more luck getting up than in Tamarindo and the rest, including Michael on a SUP, caught some great waves! Outside of surfing, Colleen and I went to a really nice yoga class Monday morning that was hosted near the beach with ambient sounds of the waves crashing, birds chirping, and rain drops pattering.

The arrival of the de Jong’s has also introduced some different food than beans and rice including delicious tuna poke, fish & chips, shrimp stir fry, and some tasty pastries. There is a craft beer company called Numy based out of Guanacaste, a treat we’ve enjoyed most lunches and dinners. Another incredible beer we found is called Turia, actually made in Spain. Michael will work hard to find it in the States. We will soak in this luxury, thanks Michael & Colleen!!!!

Heading to Nosara today, about 45 minutes north, where the Reed family (sin Caroline 🙁 ), will meet us on Thursday! Their flight has also been diverted to San Jose, due to the continuous closures at the Liberia Airport. We can’t wait to see you!! More pics to come

— Rachael