The Beach at Punta Leona

Today is spent without lycra as we are going to take a day off at the beach. The riding part of the tour is over and we are relaxing today at the beach, getting some sun, sand and water action. Early on we each at our own pace migrate down to the water and then regroup at the bar and figure out our plans for lunch and the rest of the day. Lunch in Jaco, pronounced "Hawk-O", buy some beer and back to the beach for sunset where we experience the hatching of turtles and their trip down the beach to the sea. Nothing attracts beautiful women like a bunch of baby turtles, except maybe puppies.

Diner is at a local eatery, where Paulo knows the owner, in Hermosa Beach just south of Jaco which serves us a great variety of grilled meats while we enjoy playing foosball and pool waiting for dinner.

At this point I am ready for bed and leave the last trip to a bar in Jaco to some of the others in the group.

Tomorrow we check out and get back to San Jose for one more night in Costa Rica.

San Pablo to Punta Leona - Scorpion Nights - 45 km, - Up - 1,979' - Down - 3,375'

It sounds like Donny does not like creepy crawly things, so after taking a good ribbing at diner about what bugs we might find some of head to his room for the last beer of the night to discover a scorpion climbing the wall above his bed. Once the beer is devoured and the scorpion removed we head back to our rooms for our own inspection - no more are found. Donny sleeps little this night and is ready to go early but there is no rush today the last of the tour.

Never underestimate the ease of the last day, never. We head downhill into the heat of the coastal floor climbing some small hills along the way, nothing like the climbs we have been doing but the temperature keeps getting hotter. After regrouping the route we take is the highway to Jaco which is the worst road we have been on the whole trip and I am this point just wanting to get to the beach and have a lunch. The closer we get the more influence we feel from the international resort development industry and the less it feels like the Costa Rica we have come to know. Punta Leona is located in a beautiful costal area with two nice beaches, but the rest of the experience is like staying at a Holiday Inn including the all you can eat buffet and pay to play internet access. This place is for the 90%ers and sucks if you want to experience Costa Rica.

The day finishes up with us swimming in the ocean, watching the sunset and making plans for the next day while eating deep fried comfort food. Excuse me, I think I'm going to puke.

More to come.