Oh My Guiones @ Playa Guiones, Costa Rica.

Monday, July 23rd, 2012:


Yesterday, we drove down south to Playa Guiones near Nosara.  Navigating this town is quite confusing because there are roads going in every direction.  Guiones is a cool town with quite an assembly of ex-pats.  Guiones has a hipster Encinitas vibe with yoga studios, pilates, organic food stores, homemade ice cream store, dread-locked rastas, beach cruiser brigade, and lush plant life.

balcony view of our room at the
Harbor Reef Lodge.

Getting homemade ice cream in Guiones.
I got caramel oatmeal!

 The quaint town of Guiones.

shopping downtown at the mini super.

One of the coolest things about Costa Rica and Guiones is the ability to ride dirt bikes and quads everywhere without helmets.  Almost everyone has a moto here and it is the main form of transportation in and around town.  It really makes me miss my motos back home. I get a bit of moto envy when I see Ticans riding by shirtless, in flip-flops with no helmets.  It makes sense since most of the coastal roads are bumpy, dirt roads so your top speed is only 30-40 km/h anyways.

Iguanas abound!

Coatamundi or Lemur?  One of about 20 who crossed
the road in front of us.

Secluded Nosara beach.

Boys on the balancing branch.

The surf down here was big, pounding beach break.  Kahlo and I paddled out yesterday and it goes like this.  Drop in on scary wave, race down the line, make a couple of turns, then launch off the back of the wave.  That is the payoff.  Now, get ready to take 3-4 outside waves on the head, then paddle under 8-10 more waves to make it to the outside...repeat.  I was exhausted and being aware to choose my waves carefully.  Every other wave was a closeout, so you wanted to time your "payoff" just right so the suffering wasn't too bad.

One of the highlights of Guiones was paddling the Mangroves with a rasta named "Chuco".  Leslie, the boys and I signed up for a 2-hour SUP tour in and out of the mangrove passageways.  It was very cool, we got to see a fair amount of wildlife.  The highlight was definitely seeing the leatherback turtle digging her nest on the beach to deposit her 200 or so baby turtle eggs.  As the mama turtle was digging, there was a flock of vultures gathering in the trees nearby.  The leatherback started 2 holes but abandoned them after being hassled and taunted by the vultures.  The third hole she kept at.  In addition to vultures, the eggs are threatened by foxes, dogs, and local humans.  The eggs are a delicacy and everyone is trying to get them.   Kahlo posted a video on FB of the mom digging the holes.

Sign up for adventure with Chuco.

Orientation at the river mouth.  The Chits can paddle, yo!

Chuco leading us through the mangrove swamp.

the fam cruising along. Bo leading the way.

Mi amor, paddling extraordinaire!

Boys getting crazy on the log.

Chuco cut up some fresh fruit on the beach. 

Nourishment.

Leatherback mama turtle.

Paddling with an amazing view and glassy water.

From Guiones, we are on our way south to Playa Santa Teresa, Mal Pais, and Playa Carmen.  We are hoping for some clean, workable surf.  Traveling down here is always an adventure but we've been impressed with the signage so far and the locals are always ready with a smile and a wave.  It's been a trip of a lifetime so far and we are excited at what's to come.

Only 3 more days down here.  We're sad and excited at the same time.  Sad to leave, but excited to be back home and near our friends and family.  Leslie is very excited to be able to cook again in her kitchen.  Hugs to all.  We love you.

~Steve, Leslie and the boys.