So many beaches, so little time :)

So, this weekend began with a massive excursion to the same waterfall that I mentioned last Wednesday. The one by the parrot reserve? Still no parrots, but this week we had about 10-12 people make a clown car out of Alejandro's truck and hike it all the way back. I realized I never put up pictures of it last time, so here is the beautiful yet secluded "watering hole."

 Quite quaint, don't you think? The rapids are really mild, so it makes for a nice place to sit and swim around. Also, the pool is quite deep and infested with shrimp :P Not the worst infestation I've ever heard of. Mostly the annoyance with the shrimp is they'll nip at your legs if you're in the same place too long, which isn't really an issue for this group. Lots of climbing, lots of swimming, little shrimp action. That pool ends in a more rapid set of...rapids...good choice in wording right 'cher. That heads itself down into a very steep waterfall, and a glorious view out over the forest and into the oceanic wonderland.

This week we spent a little more time at the pool, just hanging around and chatting. It was a Friday, after all, so we were all ready to kick back and relax a bit after a long work week. If this is the way we plan on relaxing on Friday nights, I could definitely get used to it. For a better view of this place, and us actually in it, take a look at the video Ed posted on my facebook page!

The next picture was not found on google. It was not doctored. This was taken with my phone, and all beauty that emanates is complete natural and was even better in person.

Seriously?! Every beach here is so pristine, with palms lining the shores of sandy beaches and crystal clear blue waters. The water was so warm as well, with no pointy things on the bottom and lots of sand to run through my toes. It was heavenly, especially after the rain we had been experiencing at the station. 

 See? Truly amazing. While we were here, we also found and rescued a leopard printed sea slug that had washed ashore, ate fresh coconut that we got ourselves out of one of the palms, and some of us even practiced our slack-lining. Beyond all of these excursions, we mostly sat and enjoyed our day of resting on a beach in the hot sun, cool breeze, and salty ocean water with friends galore and plenty of food (including the coconut) to spare.

After the beach, Morgan took us for a treat--smoothies! Since she used to live here, she knew about a kiosk that sells the most spectacular smoothies we have ever tasted. So sweet, so thick, so creamy, and so so delicious. Rachel and I followed Morgan's advice to get the mixed fruit smoothie, which contained strawberry, pineapple, banana, maraschino cherry, guava, mango, papaya, dragon fruit...probably other things as well, but mostly what it contained was fantastic flavor. Rocio got a coconut one, and honestly I'm not sure who made the better decision. Hers was so clean and coconutty....that is definitely what I'm getting next time. But, the mixed was a good choice as well. For sure. Here's the proof!

 

L to R: Morgan, Rocio, Rachel, and that random sweaty Jewish girl who keeps jumping in these pictures. Get outta there!

As for Sunday? Well, what's better than a lazy day interspersed with games like crosswords and Taboo with friends? I tell you, life here is rough :) And Monday brings our first full work week! See you guys again soon!