Tuesday touring: 2 measely miles... but on a beach!

~Mom & Dad visiting: day 3~

We were up and going by 6:30 to leave the CRC by 7:30 in order to get out to Playa Hermosa on the Pacific coast (6km past Jacó) before the day was too hot. Already, the black sand was toasty along the shore! We found a new surfer's shack to rest in its shade, while watching guys surf and eating our picnic lunch (our old beach shack that we've used in the past was demolished and blown over by the wind).

Surfers provided entertainment throughout the morning.

We spent a few nice hours walking on the beach and enjoying the warm waves, as well as reading our books under the partially-shaded cabaña.

The nice beach house that provided us with shelter
during the morning and early afternoon at Playa Hermosa.

Mom and Dad playing in the surf at Playa Hermosa.

Then I took them into Jacó to see the typically touristy area. Got some helados (ice creams) at POPS of course, and walked around town, picking up some souvenirs and strolling up and down the streets.

On the beach while walking around in Jacó.

A lizard we spotted in Jacó while meandering through the town.

Taking the new highway 27, we headed back to the CRC. It's much nicer road than the roundabout scenic (old) route I drove us through on the way out. But on the way back, I let Dad drive  :)

We hit some rain storms with thunder and lightning  (so they got to see a bit of the rainy side of CR), saw the crocodiles at the famous Crocodile Bridge as we crossed Río Tárcoles, and stopped at various fruit and roadside CR snack stands to purchase some delectable traditional treats.

On the bridge over Río Tárcoles, where we counted over 30 crocs below us!

On the way back, going through San José, Mom was excited to smell
the sweetness of the Pozuelo cookie factory!

We came back to the CRC to shower and clean up a bit before heading back down to eat at La Antica Roma, one of my fav Italian restaurants in Heredia. We came back to campus around 8:00pm for me to make our CRC staff meeting.