Playa Samara

After a long month of 12 hour days and lots of hiking, we were exhausted and ready for vacation!

We had a little party with the other monkey researchers to celebrate the end of the field month...although we were still pretty sleepy.

The next morning I headed off to Playa Samara on the Nicoya Peninsula with Shira and Ava. After 5 hours and 3 buses, we had arrived! We spent most of the day hanging out at the beach and swimming in the ocean. Warm ocean water and cold beers...who could ask for anything more?

One day we decided to try out surfing. We rented some surfboards ($4/hr) and Shira's friend gave us some tips. It was tough, but I managed to stand up (for about 2 seconds) by the end of the morning. It was exhilarating, but I paid for it the next day with my bruised knees and ribs and sunburned backs of my legs :) That night we spent eating delicious food and dancing the night away with a Costa Rican family that was there for vacation.

Another morning we headed to a locals hot spot...a waterfall! It was a beautiful spot and the cool, fresh water was a refreshing break from the warm salty water. You could even jump off the top of the waterfall...which I did...eventually.

The rest of the time was spent reading, sleeping, and relaxing on the beach. All in all, it was a great break from fieldwork and I came back refreshed and ready to work hard in February!