Sitting on our balcony watching the waves, watched an array of wildlife play in the palm trees, including a really brightly coloured squirrel. Walked north up the coast along the beach and over the rocks, spotting thousands of crabs of various varieties, and huge birds nose diving to catch fish. As we walked through forest slightly inland encountered a cheeky monkey. Swam in a pool formed where a waterfall and the sea met, then positioned ourselves on a rock abov...

Collectivo from San Juan to Rivas, which we shared with an american chap. Bus from there, across the costa rican border (involving usual money changing battles, and hauling our bags off the bus and carrying it miles only for the customs person to give it a cursory glance and wave it away). Some food on the costa rican side gave us our first indication of how much more expensive costa rica is compared to Nicaragua (very!). Hopped off the bus at barranca with an Au...

Relaxing day around San Juan Del Sur, which started with a trip to the barbers - quite an experience, I imagine what it was like going to the barbers in England 50 years ago. Our Spanish lessons must have worked a bit though because we had a good chat with the barber. Breakfast in one of the comedors in the Market, before spot of nica t-shirt shopping. Lazed on the beach for most of the day with a few plays in the waves - although we got a bit scared by unexpecte...

Up early to do our Spanish homework, before a dip in the sea and breakfast at the market. 2 hours of spanish in the morning and 2 more in the afternoon - we took part of the lessons in 2 different restaurants overlooking the sea (solely for the benefit of our spanish of course, nothing to do with the fact our teacher gained something from it). Late lunch in the second one - actually v nice red snapper, and a dessert based on a fruit only grown in Nicaragua (which...

Rushed breakfast in the Market in order to catch the 8.00 surf truck, but alas the time had been changed to later. Found another shuttle heading to playa el remanso which meant we could be back in time for Spanish lessons. Given we were no longer beginners (this our 2nd day!) we ditched the beginners boards (which had given us rashes and blistered my hands) for slightly smaller slicker versions. Rob struggled to sit on the smaller board when waiting for the next ...