About 7 months ago we decided that it may be a good idea to go on a vacation without our darling daughter. We may have made this decision because Cecilia would be 2+ when we were planning to travel (which meant we would have to buy her a full price plane ticket) or maybe it was because we knew deep down in our hearts it would be healthy (and relaxing) for the two of us to spend some quality time together as a couple in a tropical climate. Our decision was most likely based on the combination of the two, but whatever the reason we can both easily admit it was all we were hoping for: dreamily lush, perfectly balmy, welcoming, and incredibly & completely relaxing (minus the multiple swims in the ocean, jogs on the beach, kayak adventures on a undulating bay, fighting of waves with a buoyant long board fastened to your right ankle, howling monkey alarm clocks).
We arrived in Liberia, rented a car and drove 2.5 hours to the growing village of Samara.
This picture was taken about 30 miles outside of Samara. An ominous sky quickly quieted both of us, only our deep breaths could be heard as we secretly tried to pretend we were not driving towards a rainy week long vacation.
This storm proved to be a nuisance to drive through, but kindly cleared moments before we reached our destination. We were greeted with only one more similarly loud and torrential storm on our last night in Samara. At that time we happily welcomed the downpour and ruckus that was both new and nostalgic.
Trevor, hiding in the closet, fearful of the unknown towel animals that were lying on our bed when we arrived to our guesthouse.
The shower
View from the shower
Our very green guesthouse
Walking down to our secret beach
Trevor takes a dip before sundown
Tenneal takes pictures
This was not our secret beach, but it sort of felt as though it was all ours since we only saw a few locals and tourist walk along its shores each day.
This dog was one of those locals.
Of course we felt the need to explore. Often the "roads" off of the main highway would lead to some amazing views, pristine beaches, or concrete walls plastered with broken glass.
A roadside attraction
What does that sign say?
Hay Cocodrilos!?!
Si, hay cocodrilos!
Samara's beach
This attraction was made out of plastic bottles by local preschoolers.
Trevor surfs!
and Tenneal takes more pictures....
Harassing the crabs may have happened once or twice
Snorkeling at dawn
Another adventure- this one includes crossing a river in a car, paying a man 2 dollars to open a gate, and climbing up steep gravel hills while tires spin and we sweat.
Playa Camaronal is a favorite local surfing beach and a favorite nesting sight for local sea turtles. Trevor wanted a turtle's eye view.
Continuing on down the road, we made our way to Playa Islita to visit an open air museum.
Totems
The museum held a workshop for local ladies to create ceramic and clay pottery they sold to the local resorts.
Museum walls are covered in mosiacs
This hungry calf and mama cow slowed down our drive home.
Of course we had to slow for lizards crossings too.
A smiling Cecilia hugs her daddy!
