(Wednesday - Day 3 - The Fun Begins)
As if yesterday wasn't enough fun, with Charley, Oscar G, two 4k runs, body surfing the Playa Jaco, and cooling out at Jaco Laguna Resort & Beach Club, today is when the touristy day adventures start.
Again, to start with the pic of the day:
All set? "Relax!" Let's go.
Hello Lilliana, Nice to Meet You
I was up pretty late last night. That 9pm Red Bull was effective. No alarm clock, and I woke at 8am well rested. No shower - reserved that for post-activity. Just threw on clothes and went down to the beach for a walk before breakfast.
I wandered upstairs to the restaurant, ordered a low-carb / high protein breakfast with coffee. While waiting for my food, and sipping my coffee, I struck up a conversation with a lady sitting alone at the table next to me. She seemed like a local, and we got to talking about what there is to do in Costa Rica. Once my food arrived, I didn't want to be rude and turn my back on her. I invited her to join my table and continue the conversation. [Was I flirting? Not really... I don't think so. Was I? Just being my friendly self. I don't know. Ask Oscar G and Justin (yoga dude on the plane) if I was flirting with them. I don't think so.]
So, as the conversation unfolded, she told me that she and her husband own the resort. Several years ago they moved down to the lot, slept in a tent, cleaned it up, fixed it up, then hired some craftsmen to design it the way they wanted. A true labor of love. I came to appreciate the place even more, knowing how much blood, sweat and tears went into it.
I told her my plans for the day [zip lining and surf lessons], and she recommended how to get those booked. She then told me that she hadn't been surfing in like a year [too busy]. I encouraged her to get back up on the board today. If I was willing to get out there [having no experience] she had no excuse, living here on the water of one of the best surf destinations in the world.
We wrapped up breakfast. She had the waitress comp my meal. Sweet! Thank you Lilliana!
I booked my surf lesson for 4pm, and walking back I saw Lilliana carrying her board out to catch some waves. [You go Lilliana!]
Upside Down in the Rain Forest
The front desk of the resort was able to book my zip lining experience at 11am for $70. I know it would have been cheaper to go direct, but Lilliana comped my breakfast and I was okay with giving them my custom. I had a little time to relax, so I went for a walk on the beach until it was time.
A van picked me up from the hotel and took a group of us down the road about 15 minutes away to Vista Los Suenos - a zip lining establishment. I checked in, signed a waiver for death and dismemberment and went to the quartermasters' platform to gear up. I mounted my GoPro on my helmet, set it for video mode [or so I thought] and joined a group of about 12 suckers/tourists already in gear.
We received about 5 minutes of instruction and boarded a trailer that would haul us up the steep hill to our launch point.
Once at the top, we stepped into the rainforest onto a platform with steel cables mounted to the trees. The guide gave us another 15 minutes of safety and technique instructions and about 4 other guides attached themselves taking turns zipping ahead of us into the rainforest.
We started lining up to attach and zip. There were 12 runs with a platform between each, so we got plenty of practice keeping control with our guide/brake hand and leg position for speed. On the second run, I didn't notice I was slightly pulling on my brake hand and I stopped about 20 feet short of the platform. Laughing, I turned and pulled myself hand over hand to the platform - easy.
By the time I got to platform six, I was confident, controlled and a speed demon. They told us that run seven was a good place to let it all go and be crazy - try upside down and backward! Sure, why not!
I mounted up. The guide told me to place my feet on either side of the pulley. I did. The he told me to let go of the ropes with my hands. What?! "Let go the ropes wit you hand!" Okay! And zip, he let me go. Holy SH--! Exhilarating! Head down looking at the forest below, speeding down the cable, with the wind whistling by, it was amazing.
The 11th run was pretty awesome as well. It was the longest and steepest, so the fastest. I determined to barely touch the line with my guide hand and ball up for maximum speed. They said you can reach 70mph on that run. Not sure if I hit that speed, but I'm sure I was close.
At the bottom, we ate a little snack, and waited to see pictures that their photographer took of us in the trees. The guides were getting ready for their daily BBq, cervesas and footbol. I bought photos, and set off for the hotel.
Once back at the hotel, I popped out the SD card from the GoPro loaded it to my laptop and to my dismay, discovered that I had 18 terrible photos [not videos]. Crap! I was really looking forward to the upside down GoPro footage. Oh well, I'll just have to go back and do it again. ;-)
Luckily enough, one of the other tourists took an iPhone video if me upside down and Airdropped it to me. Enjoy.
A Walk in the Hood
Back at the hotel, with 2.5 hours before my surf lesson and needing some lunch, I decided to drive into town. I did a little shopping for food and water, bought some board shorts and a cool shirt and just walked around.
In town, I ran into Oscar G [New York night club promoter I met on day 2 in a beachfront bar]. "Yo! Phil, my boooyee!" His posse had arrived, and I got to meet them. He told me to meet them at 7:30pm at the Casino Cocal and we'd hang out. Agreed, I moved on to my quest for sustenance.
I almost stopped into one if the local food stands to get local [unrecognizable] food, but it looked carb-heavy and fried. Hungry, I kept walking. Eventually I saw a Frutarica [these things are all along the highway] and stopped in.
I bought a couple of huge fresh mangos for breakfast the next two days, and ordered a protein/fruit smoothie. I sipped my smoothie, and meandered back to the truck and the hotel. Looking forward to my 4pm surf lesson.
Surfing Playa Jaco
I met Alex [the surf instructor] on the sand. He taught me positioning and how to pop up on the board right there on the sand. Totally reminded me of Forgetting Sarah Marshall, except that my instructor wasn't stoned and didn't give me a nickname.
We got out into the ocean on a 9.5' long board. He set me up on my first wave and I popped up the first time to ride the wave all the way in. Awesome!
A few times paddling out, a huge wave crashed before us and he taught me to tortuga-roll through it. Awesome! No fear.
I started to get the feel for pumping the front of the board, staying on the wave [not ahead of it], and carving. Still not ready for a barrel drop, but I had a great run for 2 hours. Caught about 15 waves, and was tuckered out. The sun was setting and touched the horizon just as I caught my last wave, riding all the way to shore. Sweet!
Oscar G Left Me Hanging
After surfing I was pretty tired, but looking forward to checking out the night scene with Oscar G and his homies. SH--, shower and shave. Throw on some decent night clothes and head out to town to find the casino. I shot Oscar G a text to meet me in the lobby. No response. I headed into the casino, which had two tiny rooms for gambling [10 slot machines and 2 blackjack tables]. The ladies of the night were hanging around, a few if them trying to make eye contact.
I moved through the "casino" and out to the club scene. OMG! It was like 100 ladies of the night swirling and about 10 guys drinking with 2-3 "girls" sitting with each of them. Awkward! I don't drink, and this brothel environment was not my scene. I decided to hang tight for a bit to wait for Oscar G and his posse, and to watch the scene unfolding before me. I took a seat at a table toward the back, and texted Oscar G again. No response.
Two ladies approached me and tried to strike up a conversation. I indicated I wasn't interested and they moved on. I hung out for about a half hour, just watching the 40-60 year old men buying the women drinks and basking in the attention of 20-25 year old professionals. Having seen enough, I took my leave.
I headed back to my hotel, hung out at the hotel lounge for a bit, checked email and started to blog. I must have had a busy day, because I kept falling asleep at the keyboard. Lights out and asleep by 9:30. [Finished the blog entry in the morning.]
Not a Yogi or a Hippie, But...
Justin texted me about the festival. He said tickets were sold out, and I was missing out on all the yoga hotties. I told him I'd have to make plans to attend the festival next year. Sounds like fun. Maybe I'll even take up yoga by then. Lol.
Here's what I'm missing...
Definitely next year. Maybe I can grow some dreadlocks or something by then. ;-)
What to do tomorrow? I'll figure it out as I go. Maybe zip line again [with GoPro in video mode], definitely some high tide surfing, and whatever else presents itself.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
[Phil Scott]
As if yesterday wasn't enough fun, with Charley, Oscar G, two 4k runs, body surfing the Playa Jaco, and cooling out at Jaco Laguna Resort & Beach Club, today is when the touristy day adventures start.
Again, to start with the pic of the day:
All set? "Relax!" Let's go.
Hello Lilliana, Nice to Meet You
I was up pretty late last night. That 9pm Red Bull was effective. No alarm clock, and I woke at 8am well rested. No shower - reserved that for post-activity. Just threw on clothes and went down to the beach for a walk before breakfast.
I wandered upstairs to the restaurant, ordered a low-carb / high protein breakfast with coffee. While waiting for my food, and sipping my coffee, I struck up a conversation with a lady sitting alone at the table next to me. She seemed like a local, and we got to talking about what there is to do in Costa Rica. Once my food arrived, I didn't want to be rude and turn my back on her. I invited her to join my table and continue the conversation. [Was I flirting? Not really... I don't think so. Was I? Just being my friendly self. I don't know. Ask Oscar G and Justin (yoga dude on the plane) if I was flirting with them. I don't think so.]
So, as the conversation unfolded, she told me that she and her husband own the resort. Several years ago they moved down to the lot, slept in a tent, cleaned it up, fixed it up, then hired some craftsmen to design it the way they wanted. A true labor of love. I came to appreciate the place even more, knowing how much blood, sweat and tears went into it.
I told her my plans for the day [zip lining and surf lessons], and she recommended how to get those booked. She then told me that she hadn't been surfing in like a year [too busy]. I encouraged her to get back up on the board today. If I was willing to get out there [having no experience] she had no excuse, living here on the water of one of the best surf destinations in the world.
We wrapped up breakfast. She had the waitress comp my meal. Sweet! Thank you Lilliana!
I booked my surf lesson for 4pm, and walking back I saw Lilliana carrying her board out to catch some waves. [You go Lilliana!]
Upside Down in the Rain Forest
The front desk of the resort was able to book my zip lining experience at 11am for $70. I know it would have been cheaper to go direct, but Lilliana comped my breakfast and I was okay with giving them my custom. I had a little time to relax, so I went for a walk on the beach until it was time.
A van picked me up from the hotel and took a group of us down the road about 15 minutes away to Vista Los Suenos - a zip lining establishment. I checked in, signed a waiver for death and dismemberment and went to the quartermasters' platform to gear up. I mounted my GoPro on my helmet, set it for video mode [or so I thought] and joined a group of about 12 suckers/tourists already in gear.
We received about 5 minutes of instruction and boarded a trailer that would haul us up the steep hill to our launch point.
Once at the top, we stepped into the rainforest onto a platform with steel cables mounted to the trees. The guide gave us another 15 minutes of safety and technique instructions and about 4 other guides attached themselves taking turns zipping ahead of us into the rainforest.
We started lining up to attach and zip. There were 12 runs with a platform between each, so we got plenty of practice keeping control with our guide/brake hand and leg position for speed. On the second run, I didn't notice I was slightly pulling on my brake hand and I stopped about 20 feet short of the platform. Laughing, I turned and pulled myself hand over hand to the platform - easy.
By the time I got to platform six, I was confident, controlled and a speed demon. They told us that run seven was a good place to let it all go and be crazy - try upside down and backward! Sure, why not!
I mounted up. The guide told me to place my feet on either side of the pulley. I did. The he told me to let go of the ropes with my hands. What?! "Let go the ropes wit you hand!" Okay! And zip, he let me go. Holy SH--! Exhilarating! Head down looking at the forest below, speeding down the cable, with the wind whistling by, it was amazing.
The 11th run was pretty awesome as well. It was the longest and steepest, so the fastest. I determined to barely touch the line with my guide hand and ball up for maximum speed. They said you can reach 70mph on that run. Not sure if I hit that speed, but I'm sure I was close.
At the bottom, we ate a little snack, and waited to see pictures that their photographer took of us in the trees. The guides were getting ready for their daily BBq, cervesas and footbol. I bought photos, and set off for the hotel.
Once back at the hotel, I popped out the SD card from the GoPro loaded it to my laptop and to my dismay, discovered that I had 18 terrible photos [not videos]. Crap! I was really looking forward to the upside down GoPro footage. Oh well, I'll just have to go back and do it again. ;-)
Luckily enough, one of the other tourists took an iPhone video if me upside down and Airdropped it to me. Enjoy.
A Walk in the Hood
Back at the hotel, with 2.5 hours before my surf lesson and needing some lunch, I decided to drive into town. I did a little shopping for food and water, bought some board shorts and a cool shirt and just walked around.
In town, I ran into Oscar G [New York night club promoter I met on day 2 in a beachfront bar]. "Yo! Phil, my boooyee!" His posse had arrived, and I got to meet them. He told me to meet them at 7:30pm at the Casino Cocal and we'd hang out. Agreed, I moved on to my quest for sustenance.
I almost stopped into one if the local food stands to get local [unrecognizable] food, but it looked carb-heavy and fried. Hungry, I kept walking. Eventually I saw a Frutarica [these things are all along the highway] and stopped in.
I bought a couple of huge fresh mangos for breakfast the next two days, and ordered a protein/fruit smoothie. I sipped my smoothie, and meandered back to the truck and the hotel. Looking forward to my 4pm surf lesson.
Surfing Playa Jaco
I met Alex [the surf instructor] on the sand. He taught me positioning and how to pop up on the board right there on the sand. Totally reminded me of Forgetting Sarah Marshall, except that my instructor wasn't stoned and didn't give me a nickname.
We got out into the ocean on a 9.5' long board. He set me up on my first wave and I popped up the first time to ride the wave all the way in. Awesome!
A few times paddling out, a huge wave crashed before us and he taught me to tortuga-roll through it. Awesome! No fear.
I started to get the feel for pumping the front of the board, staying on the wave [not ahead of it], and carving. Still not ready for a barrel drop, but I had a great run for 2 hours. Caught about 15 waves, and was tuckered out. The sun was setting and touched the horizon just as I caught my last wave, riding all the way to shore. Sweet!
Oscar G Left Me Hanging
After surfing I was pretty tired, but looking forward to checking out the night scene with Oscar G and his homies. SH--, shower and shave. Throw on some decent night clothes and head out to town to find the casino. I shot Oscar G a text to meet me in the lobby. No response. I headed into the casino, which had two tiny rooms for gambling [10 slot machines and 2 blackjack tables]. The ladies of the night were hanging around, a few if them trying to make eye contact.
I moved through the "casino" and out to the club scene. OMG! It was like 100 ladies of the night swirling and about 10 guys drinking with 2-3 "girls" sitting with each of them. Awkward! I don't drink, and this brothel environment was not my scene. I decided to hang tight for a bit to wait for Oscar G and his posse, and to watch the scene unfolding before me. I took a seat at a table toward the back, and texted Oscar G again. No response.
Two ladies approached me and tried to strike up a conversation. I indicated I wasn't interested and they moved on. I hung out for about a half hour, just watching the 40-60 year old men buying the women drinks and basking in the attention of 20-25 year old professionals. Having seen enough, I took my leave.
I headed back to my hotel, hung out at the hotel lounge for a bit, checked email and started to blog. I must have had a busy day, because I kept falling asleep at the keyboard. Lights out and asleep by 9:30. [Finished the blog entry in the morning.]
Not a Yogi or a Hippie, But...
Justin texted me about the festival. He said tickets were sold out, and I was missing out on all the yoga hotties. I told him I'd have to make plans to attend the festival next year. Sounds like fun. Maybe I'll even take up yoga by then. Lol.
Here's what I'm missing...
Definitely next year. Maybe I can grow some dreadlocks or something by then. ;-)
What to do tomorrow? I'll figure it out as I go. Maybe zip line again [with GoPro in video mode], definitely some high tide surfing, and whatever else presents itself.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
[Phil Scott]
Location:Jaco, Costa Rica
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