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Day 5: Paddling to Playa Blanca

Bursting with energy at 7:15 a.m., I bounced down the stairs in anticipation of the day’s ocean kayak tour to Playa Blanca. I grabbed a cup of coffee to go and stashed a fresh mango in my backpack for later.
With a handful of other passengers, I boarded Kayak Jaco’s minivan destined for Playa Agujas, or Needle Beach. There, a number of bright orange kayaks were neatly laid out on its deserted dark sand. From the looks of the strong winds and choppy waters, I knew I was in for a physically challenging day.
Because it is …

Written on March 23, 2010 | Posted in Canoeing & Kayaking,Central Pacific,Costa Rica News,Jaco and Playa Hermosa,Scuba Diving and Snorkeling | Leave a comment

Day 9: Coconuts and Banana Boats

My flight back to Liberia was scheduled to depart at 2:30 p.m., and I intended to spend every moment of my last morning in Manuel Antonio in the sun and surf.
After an enormous breakfast of fruit, pancakes and scrambled eggs at The Falls Resort, I began the long walk toward the coast. I collected my French Canadian friends along the way, and the four of us set up camp near the lifeguard stand at the beach.
As I organized a game of Frisbee, the chief lifeguard sounded his whistle and sprinted to the water with a …