We did a 2 tank dive set this morning at the Catalina's, big volcanic rock formations about 30 minutes off shore from Playa Flamingo. Our first dive was about 45 minutes, visibility was pretty terrible, only about 20 ft and a lot of debris in the water (particles like you see sometimes in the sunlight). We saw a couple of white tipped reef sharks right off the bat, maybe 5-6 ft long, sitting in the sand between reefs. Then we saw a spotted ray swimming along, then another one. Other than that, we didn't really see too much else. Mark, who had been out with Jay and Trevor on Monday and then again yesterday, saw a giant manta he said was 6 meters long from head to tip of the tail! Once we were done our dive we came up, boarded the boat and then motored to our next dive site around one of the other rock formations. The second dive we saw even less - another few sharks and that's it. I'm glad we went diving here - it wasn't the focus of the trip, so I'm not disappointed. And Trevor completed his open water dives and got his dive certification today!
I asked Charlie, our dive guide, if the visibility is always like this - he said no that in May, June, July and August the visibility is 150 ft and crystal clear. I asked how hot the air is at that time of year...about 38 degrees! He explained that they are really affected by the weather in North America because of the currents. In the winter the cold water is brought down the coast and the currents stir the particulates - he said in January the water temperature for diving might only be 12-15 degrees, so they wear full wetsuits, booties and hoods to dive, while in July they don't wear wetsuits at all to dive.
After the dive we came back to the house, I made lunch and then took the girls out to the grocery store while Jay and Trevor had naps. We decided to have dinner out tonight at the Argentinian Steak House called Patagonia. I'm looking forward to it!
Right now I'm sitting on the patio under the pergola while the girls play in the yard. With a tequila sour of course - though I was starting to be concerned that I would run out of tequila and that meant I would either have to start conserving or buy another 26er and binge for the next 2 days to finish it. I decide to compromise and bought piña colada mix so I can join the boys on their rum!
We all just enjoyed a swim in the pool. I can't even really begin to explain how much I love this house - I would come back here, and for anyone who knows me they know that is a huge compliment to the owners because I like to go new places, not stay in the same place. It's very safe and everyone is friendly. This morning while Trevor and I were standing waiting for the dive shuttle pick up cars would drive by and honk - they want to know if you want a ride, for a small fee, like gypsy cab drivers, only here that's all there is! We had 4 or 5 honks, and when you wave and say no, they wave back with a big smile, it's so refreshing. What I like about here too is that we came just before busy season, so mostly everyone here is a local, in the restaurants, on the beaches, in the shops. They're local or surf bums..there are no resorts in Tamarindo. The closest one is the beach over, Barcelo Playa Langosta (which is where we stayed with my family the last time we visited). But Tamarindo has a couple of hotels, a couple of condo buildings and then it's mostly residential, no mega resorts. This also means the beaches aren't packed tight with people. Busy season actually starts next week, the start of guaranteed nice weather and higher prices...we took our chances with the weather and it has only rained for about 6 minutes the first day we were here. We've had some cloud cover, but it's welcome sometimes from the heat of the sun.
Jay just got up off his hammock, stretched, said "I need a change of scenery" and laid down on the other hammock. "Ah, that's better"...lol. Suns back out, the first hammock was too much in the sun.
We just got back from dinner, it was amazing. On the way there Paige kept asking me about the party where we were going for dinner..I couldn't figure out what party she was talking about. Then I figured out, finally, that Jay had joked that we should get there in time for the Early Bird Special because we eat at freakin' 5:30pm like geriatrics. She thought we were going to a party! It was cute.
At dinner Jay said something funny..I can't remember what it was, but it was funny. If I remember I'll add it later.
No photos today...weird.
Gotta move the freakin elf..we forgot last night - oops.
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