If you think that looks like a big wave, you’d be right.

Surfing for beginners – Three days (two hours a day) of learning to surf in rough water and I’m battered and thrilled.

A great work out, surfing!

Each day we’ve had lessons from the Costa Rica Surf Camp and considering I can get scared in deep water, finding myself doing unplanned cartwheels underwater has actually been fun. I know, I’m crazy. At least I’m finally able to stand on the board. Maybe tomorrow I can figure out how to steer.

At least I’m standing!

Plenty of newbies – surfing for beginners

The surf is pretty rough and fast, which is good for us lowly learners since we don’t have to wait for a wave, but you can tell that’s all they’re good for. When it’s rough, you can see lines of people like me, clueless newbies figuring out how to surf.

Although the rest of them probably aren’t covered in bruises. I’m not exactly the most graceful person, so it’s taken a few days for me to get the hang of getting on the board. Our instructor, we’ve nicknamed him Yoda, just shakes his head.

This hotel is awesome! (except breakfast)

Shopping was good

Not far from our hotel (actually you can walk around Dominical in about ten minutes – maybe less, so everything is close) are plenty of vendors and other shopping.

I went to buy my own sarong. Rebecca had loaned me her’s for the trip and it has definitely been handy (swim coverup, towel, dress)! I attempted to speak Spanish with the vendor and we really had a conversation.  She went through and showed me ten different ways to tie it. Very helpful!

A Hike and the lure of a hot guy

Rebecca getting the hang of it

We went on a guided night hike last night. One thing here is that nothing comes with transportation, so we caught a local cab to get there. The giant fireflies loved my red headlamp. A few flew into my face and others landed on my arms. I’d say it was a good break from surfing. One of the guides, we’ll call him Jim, and Rebecca had such a great time talking.

We had a wonderful dinner at Tortilla Flats, even though the electricity was out due to the heavy rain. They seemed to be ready for anything and even with the lights out and sitting around candles, we had our hot dinners delivered to our table. Another romantic, candlelit dinner by the beach, with my best friend. Ugg.

The rain let up a little as we made our way to the hotel, to find Jim standing around, hoping Rebecca would show. I thought that was really sweet.

That’s Fred the iguana, hanging out on the fake rocks around the pool

Tomorrow is our last day of surfing, then we head to San Jose for one day, then on our way back to the States. I’m going to miss wandering around and being sort of a bum.

Oh, and I finally saw an iguana! Pura Vida!

Want to see more:
Day 34 Hop back to Costa Rica via Lima and Panama City
Day 36 Playa Dominical to San Jose, Costa Rica

I’m Sonja Dewing. I’m an award winning creative writer, a published author of Toy of the Gods, an adventure in the Amazon. If you’d like a free copy of the prequel, Ire of the Gods, sign up for my email list and you’ll get it right away.