PLAYA DEL COCO & OCOTAL - 23 MARCH

LUC AT ANDRE'S

BOB MARLEY

COCONUT MILK!

MARKET IN PLAYA DEL COCO

We are up early and decide to hit the beach. This area is well-known for the black beaches, but after the previous night's parties the beach is not exaclty clean. We walk up to the atm and is dissapointed to discover that the supermark is closed. We stroll through the market and get Luc a nice CR flower shirt. We also get some nice fresh pineapple slices on the side of the road.

Grab a taxi to Playa Ocotal. This is where Liz and Mike got married. Stunning clean beach. Take them up the hotel on the hilltop where the wedding took place. Stunning views and good memories - and miss the rest of the wedding party of 2005!

We hit the beach and Luc spends the whole day in the water. He meets a new friend - Jessie, whom he keeps on calling Danny! We completely underestimate the sun and by one we all look like lobsters! We go for the famous, mucho grande, cocktails at Father Roosters, complimented with a big plate of Nachos, black beans and really great guagamole. And then take the taxi back. Decide to cool off next to the pool and then hit the cool room for a long afternoon nap.

Luc gets stuck in front of the TV, whilst the two oldies snore away. At 6.30 we hit the road looking for good food. My Fodors guide talks about Cafe Del Playa - but it is far away. We stop for a beer at Andre's in the main street. Meet Andre Rossouw - he is a French Canandian who is also the publisher of the local tourist magazine, estate agent and owner of the pub. Luc falls asleep before we get to dinner. We finally have dinner at our hotel - which is famous for it's sushi. Monique opts for the local dish - which is a plate of rice, black beans, fried plantin (type of banana) and fish. It is a massive plate and really good. Sleep came quickly after this great first day in Costa Rica!!