While staying in Potrero we really wanted Les & Deb and Matt & Brei to experience Tamarindo since it was in sharp contrast to our little Potrero beach. The traffic is always crazy, it is very touristy so the locals are constantly shoving their trinkets in your face to buy, and there are not enough public restrooms, but it definetly is a high energy place, with lots to do and see. There are tons of hotels, restaurants, shopping malls, and souvenir vendors. The beach itself is huge, and it's a great place to learn to surf-board, or body-surf because the waves are the perfect size. There are also always fun activities going on at the beach, especially at night.
Matt & Brei trying to decide what flavor of gelato to get at our favorite gelto place.
An excursion we all voted for was a Catamaran Snorkel, Sunset Cruise. We originally singed up to leave from Flamingo but due to major construction there (they are building a Flamingo marina) they booked us on the Tamarindo catamaran which we were a little nervous about because we knew it would be more of a party boat (especially since one of the draws of the sunset cruises is free alcohol). And then we really started getting nervous when we saw how many small boats were trolling towards our catamaran (which wasn't huge). Above is a picture of Matt, Brei and I trolling back to shore. Brad, Deb, and Les were on other boats also heading back to the shore. Despite entirely too many people being shoved onto one catamaran with unlimited alcohol to drink, everyone was surprisingly chill, except for maybe "Santa Clause" (sitting next to Brei in the pic above) who loved to talk to anyone and everyone who would listen.
One of the things that made our cruise so great was seizing some prime seating right on top, underneath the sails.
Les loved feeling like he was the captain of the ship,
and he even joked with the real captain at one point telling him to get out of his seat.
I am glad that Deb & Les were able to unwind and relax especially after being robbed, and Les' concern over how many people were being taxied onto our catamaran (he did the math and decided that owning a catamaran could end up being pretty darn lucrative).
Awww, heaven!
Brad and I were also amazed at how relaxing the whole experience was
as we looked at the beautiful views of Tamarindo bay,
soaked in the sun,
and slept soundly as the boat rocked back and forth.
Matt & Brei were also having a difficult time staying awake due to their completely relaxed state. They were comparing the current catamaran cruise to their last experience on a catamaran with all of their kids, as their youngest manned the sails with the captain, ready to plummet to his death at any moment.
Just as we all slipped into various states of coma, it was time to throw the anchor overboard, and file out of the boat with our snorkel gear and floating noodles. Deb stayed in the boat to keep our perfect spot and to take pictures of us snorkeling (left to righ - Brad, Brei, Matt, and me),
before getting some good snorkeling in herself. The snorkeling definitely was not the highlight of the cruise! Matt found out, after wading some distance from the boat, that his mask was missing a lens, there wasn't any type of coral reef (just sharp rocks that cut our feet), and the water was so choppy it made us sick as we ingested more salt water than all our free drinks put together!
After fighting the waves during snorkeling, we had all worked-up quite the appetites. Fortunately, the captain and his crew (above) made a delicious dinner!
Brad was such a gentleman the entire cruise, he brought me all the pina colada drinks I wanted, so that I never had to walk along the boat and and get sea sick. At dinnertime he even loaded up both of our plates and managed to keep all the food on them despite awkwardly climbing up to our spot in the very strong wind. Debbie, however, wasn't so lucky on her way back, we watched all her chips fly off her plate, one by one.
Dinner was really good and consisted of barbecue chicken, refried beans, mexican rice, pico de gallo & chips, fruit salad, and homemade chocolate chips cookies.
After dinner it wasn't long before the sun was already starting to go down in the western sky. We got invaded by a couple groups of people who came to the top of the boat to take selfies (or groupies??). Fortunately, they didn't stay long, and the entire boat was surprisingly quiet and peaceful.
It was so calming watching the sun go down as the boat gently swayed in the water.
Les was also loving the whole experience!
Other catamarans and boats watching the sun set.
And of course I had to take pictures of the setting sun in every stage ...
Sadly, it was time to go back to shore where there was quite the gathering of people with music, lights,
and even fire twirlers!
I am so glad we went on the sunset cruise, it was definitely a highlight for me, and a new happy place I will always remember, and return to often!
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