Middle-aged flash packers

Monkeys, crocodiles and river crossings
We arrived at Playa Samara yesterday after a long journey from Jaco.
Samara Bay is a pleasant, sweeping curve of sand and the little town consists of one Main Street and a couple of side streets. Perfect holiday location if you’ve got young kids but we haven’t so time to get exploring!
Steve was keen to put the 4WD through its paces and check the river crossing route to our next destination. We set off earlyish and as we drove towards the main street we spotted two howler monkeys, one carrying a baby, crossing the road via the electricity lines above.
A little further on, there was a cluster of people staring into a river that flowed into a beach so we pulled over to see what was going on. A sign at the side said “Danger, crocodiles in creek.”
We looked hard and eventually saw two little crocodile eyes peering out of the water. It was the least scary croc I’ve seen but Steve’s earlier suggestion of me wading in rivers to check their depth was then and there fecklined. (My phone made this word up while I was trying to write declined – I like the abusive twist it has added.)
On arrival at the river to be forded, a car had just driven across successfully and there was also a local gentleman making his way across the river on foot. The water was up to just past his knees so it looked ok. Phew, no need for me to paddle with the crocs!
Safely across, we continued driving along the dirt road and eventually came to playa bejuco. It was completely deserted and had a very spooky feel about it. We drove along a sandy track, expecting it to take us to the other side of the beach but it stopped at a cemetery. What a place to be buried, a stones throw away from the sea.
On our way back, we stopped for a picnic at refugio camaronal. It is a protected beach where the Rio Ora joins the sea. Again hardly anyone on it, but there were coati footprints in the sand and another animal’s but we weren’t sure what.
Next stop Playa Corillo. What a stunning beach! Flanked by palm trees, with white sand and turquoise sea it’s definitely the most beautiful beach we’ve been to so far. While swimming in the surf, I saw two tuna outlined in a wave just before it broke. An amazing sight.
The sun was very hot and there wasn’t much shelter so we headed for home. A quick nap and a shower and it was off to Coco’s for dinner. Great food BUT got totally ripped off for two mageritas. If someone says 2 for 1 you assume that instead of paying for two drinks you pay for one – not at Coco’s. You get a double magerita instead of a single. So we ended up paying $14 instead of $7. Oh well, they were very nice but rather potent. Slept well!