Montezuma Sunrise

July 8th 2008

Well, my sleep was nothing to write home about but the sunrise was something else. I am not sure why it happened but I awoke 3 minutes before the sun rose over the horizon. What a treat. I tried to fall asleep again but settled for a morning drive towards Mal Pais.

I used my 4x4 to cross the 3 little rivers along the way (getting my moneys worth i tell ya!) and spotted some interesting birds and wildlife. (side note:I am not sure why it was called "Bad Country" because it looks pretty nice here). I was the first person at the beach so I tried to fall asleep while the sun tried to poke through the clouds. I didn't sleep but the sun did poke through.

I changed beaches for the afternoon and got myself involved in a 3-on-3 beach soccer game with some locals before hitting up the water for some surf. I am not very experienced so I only got up on the long board twice but I did manage to break a fin and have to pay 10 bucks. I sat in the sun reading for the rest of the afternoon.

I drove along the strip three or four times undecided of where and what I was doing (quite a liberating feeling). Mostly, I was taking in the small town feel and people watching. I noticed a nice looking location offering beach front cabinas from a distance and headed down the long road. It turns out i inadvertently found paradise! A hush hush campsite Roca Mar lies down a road at the end of Playa Santa Teresa. The sign I saw turned out to be for a different set of cabinas. The locals staying here asked how i found it and explained "you pretty much can't find it better than this".

There is ridiculous surfing right out front of where I now have pitched a tent on the beautiful sand and set up my hammock. There are a bunch of little kids with their families who all speak fluent Spanish as well as English (ex-pat Americans bringing up families in Costa Rica).

I think I am going to stay here for a few days and soak up some rays, hit up some surf, and finish this brilliant book I am reading.