Costa Rica 2012 Aug 2-5 Playa del Coco

So we needed to make it from the main part of Costa Rica to the Peninsula on our way up to Playa del Coco to see our friends. We decided to catch this ferry from Puntarenas to Playa Naranjo. We thought it was the last one for the night. Leaving at 7:00 PM. At 6:30 we were told there was ANOTHER Ferry leaving at 8 pm that would get us 25 Kil closer to our destination, a town called Paquera.  When we told the guy "helping" the ferry company we wanted to change our tickets to the next ferry he told us "No, no, its only a difference of 25 Kil between the two ports. By the time you get to the next town you'll be still way ahead of the other ferry. You don't want to wait." Good idea.

The good idea once again became a really bad idea. The 25 Kil/15 miles took us over an 1 1/2 hrs!!!! It was the worst lane we've been on yet. This picture doesn't even do it justice. But pitch black & pot holes that were unbelievable. Hills that in the headlights looked like walls. Then it started to rain. Nothing in site. And us with only a quarter of a tank of gas. Thankfully there was another "smart" family that did the same thing as us. They asked to follow us. 3 1/2 hrs later we made it to our hotel. Exhausted but safe. We barely made it to the shower and bed.

But then we woke up to this beautiful sight. Mal Pais. The tip of the Peninsula. Unbelievable. We must have been driving along side it all night.

Hiked to Montezumas Waterfall. We went here before heading up to Playa del Coco. The trails were marked "clear and easy" we were told. After going down the wrong paths a couple of times and having to retrace our steps we finally found the first waterfall and decided it was enough. Beautiful waterfalls. Ugly brown water.

Playa Coyote. Light Grey sand. We heard this is an incredible beach. Worth seeing on the way up North. It really was beautiful. Gorgeous. Untouched really. Just a few local families. And the reason why?

We had to forge THIS river...

and THIS river...

...and THIS river. G.P.S. REALLY should forewarn us about these routes. She's taking years off our lives!

And not surprisingly, we got lost. AGAIN. We stopped a few times and got different directions. (of course all different). We realized we really needed gas. Being in the middle of nowhere (we still don't know where exactly we were), there is no such thing as a gas station. We were directed to this womans house. In a shed in her backyard she had stored gas. In each orange container we're told there was a gallon. Her funnel into the gas tank? A coca cola bottle. Why not?

But we made it!! Got to the Barburys! Ken, Elise and Taylor Guyette. Love them! Showed us the most amazing hospitality.

Took us to their favorite beach. Playa Penca. With snorkeling, monkeys playing overhead and incredible white sand it's easy to see why.

Playa del Coco. They live about less than a mile from here. When tides out you can hike over these rocks out to the little island in the back ground. Found tons of crazy things in the tide pools.

Sea snails

Sea slug

Sea Urchins

And an Oyster. It took Tay awhile but she actually managed to pry it off.

We ran into a local who was digging for clams. He took the oyster out of Taylors hand and said this is really good to eat raw right now. And using his machete he popped it open and told Taylor and I to each eat a side. Say what??? We did it. I heard somewhere that you're supposed to just swallow it whole. Haha!!! As I type this my face is still scrunched in repulsion. I wish there was a way to upload the video.

Playa Danta. One of the most magnificent beaches ever. The water came up right to the trees.

And the waves were just spectacular.

Playa del Coco Spanish and Playa del Coco English group meet here. There is a little sign that gets put out on meeting nights that says Salon Del Reino (Kingdom Hall). And everyone meets on the back patio.

Sunday Meeting. There are about 15 permanent publishers in the group.

Sunday after the meeting is a day for bible studies. And what an incredible day this was. Our first study was with this woman. Sonia. She gets up at 4 am. Heads to work (bus and walking) works for 10 hrs. Gets home around 8 or 9. Eats, cleans, whatever needs to be done, goes to bed and then it starts all over again. She does this 12 days in a row and then gets 3 days off. Crazy. She has her bible teach book in Spanish. Elise has hers in English and they meet in between. But they have a true bond. By the way. I sat on that white bucket. Had a ring around my butt for hours. ;)

And then there was Gladis. Ken and Jason went into a house to conduct an English study with a man in his 20's. Us girls were excited cause we thought that was gonna be a little break for us. :) Jason came right back out. There sitting in the living room with them were 3 woman that somehow had received 3 bible teach books in spanish. And although not understanding any English, were going to try and sit in on the study. So Elise and I went in with our English books, kicked the boys out and conducted a study. In the end this woman, Gladis, told me that although it was nice learning all these basic things (the first part of chap 1) about God, it was a little too basic. She wanted to talk about things like the 7 times. !!!!! I couldn't believe it! I am so bummed that I am here only today! But Elise is gonna make sure she gets someone to follow up in Spanish. They invited all of us to go visit her father who is a witness up in the mountains who is dying. Wants to meet the family studying with his grandson. If we can arrange it we'll make it up there.

Just some random nonsense. Taylor actually caught this little guy.

We both tried. I know it didn't work for me though cause I already got my prince. She's still working on it.