4. Beach Ride
Day 80
It is just after sunrise and it is MUGGY. I am sweating just loading the bike. Not much planned today. The goal is to get close to Panama border, about 280 km. It doesn’t seem too much by North American standards, but it is different when you are averaging only 50km/h.
The road is very nice and reminds me of the hwy 101 in the US. Twisty road by the shore. But most of the time the road is far enough so you don’t see the ocean. But you can definitely feel it. Marine fog is everywhere and humidity is very high. It is almost OK while you are moving but when you stop, buckets of sweat. It is a very nice ride, though. Again, you can see huge puddles everywhere. There was even a landslide cover the road and I had to wait till they clear the path for one way traffic. Breakfast of champions at the gas station mini mart as I didn’t have anything at the hotel.
I passed a nice airport and in the corner of my eye I spotted an airplane on approach. I quickly turned around and snapped few pics of a Cessna Caravan landing in front of me. And continued with an easy ride. I stopped at few viewpoints to take pictures but nothing to compete with Ansel Adams today. I checked out few beaches and they were loooooooong. Nice surf as well. Tons of surf and dive shops in small villages. A few homeless surf dudes camping right at the beach. I took bunch of photos for my surfing friends back home to see what they are missing. I am sure they will appreciate it.
Soon enough I leave the main road and follow the river inland towards the mountains. Perfect tarmac and no traffic. Pure enjoyment or as locals say, Pure Vida. I stopped at few waterfalls which would draw a big crowd back home but here it is just one of many. The water in the river is again very muddy from the rain. Even though it is the tail end of the rainy season, it is still raining hard every day. It is hot so I stopped at a small shop to get a drink and an ice cream. Sitting at high bank I am watching a local fisherman catching fish. Surprisingly, he caught 4 big fish. No idea what they were. He was proudly showing them to me, I know what they have for dinner tonight.
There is thick jungle all around, starting right at the side of the road. I somehow feel that jungle in Costa Rica is greener and thicker then anywhere else in Central America. And it is pretty cool I have a cell connection and I can text with anybody in the world right there.
I am getting closer to my destination on a beautiful twisty road riding on the top of the ridge. But my eyes are glued towards the skies which are getting darker by the minute. I’d be very surprise if I wouldn’t get wet today. And sure enough, 10 km from the end I hit the rain. Geeez! Anyway, I find my place for the night, a nice 2 bdrm apartment with a super fast internet. Off to the town which is 5’ away to get some food and start prepping for the next days. I got my place for tomorrow organized and I also booked a place in Panama City as well. Exit and entry formalities take some time but all is done. GPS is loaded and now the blog and pics. This adventuring business is pretty busy. Anyway, few more minutes and I need to hit the sack for tomorrow border crossing.
See you in Panama.