Last stop in paradise...for now.

We couldn't be happier that Villas Rio Mar is our "last" (real) stop on this trip. The unique rooms and patios, plus the beautiful grounds have us smiling each time we traverse around the grounds. The blogger boy has had limited "goods" to share as we had 3 mostly cloudy days with rain coming and going frequently during the days. That put us trying to grab a cloud tan here and there and playing a lot of cribbage. We've enjoyed some wonderful meals at our restaurant on the grounds, and found a nice wine to compliment some of our dinners.

You may recall, our road to the hotel is a rock-filled, pothole laced trek of about 1.5 kilometers from town. Well, it doesn't stop there. So we took an afternoon and had to see where it went. We got to ford our 2nd "river" across the road as we meandered down the road at about 10-12 kph. Everything is green everywhere! Houses popped up here and there and we imagine what it must be like to live there. The road continued along the river that we follow into town and then into the ocean. We couldn't help but share the little waterfall we found along the way.

You may also recall that one of the native birds has eluded us so far during our trip. Well, NGG did her research and we got the sounds down they make and became very aware that the toucans were in the area around the property--especially after another guest caught one with his zoom-lens camera. We both have seen the "Fruit Loops" poster child fly by the pool area two days in a row--but they were always too quick and landed too far away for any documentation...until NGG would not be denied. See if you can spot the elusive toucan in the next 3 pics.

The next ones may be a bit easier...my zoom was maxed, with NGG working the controls.

Gotta give credit where it's due...NGG wasn't coming home without a toucan pic. She's amazing! That's why I love the girl!

The last two days have had the sun shining as we awoke...NGG was worried about her tan fading (it's not...I saw her tan lines); and we have spent the days at the pool. Highs around 82, and feels like 91! After working on our tan today, we headed off property to find somewhere to have a late lunch.  We cruised past the places we've visited south of Dominical and kept going south. We both saw a little restaurant that touted a ocean-view and I made a not-so-nice abrupt exit off the road (with a couple of cars hugging my bumper). Catching our breath, we looked at it and something didn't sit well (not sure what it was) and we waited for an opening to get back on Ruta Nacional 34 (34), and continued south. Our decisions we have made, whether to turn on this road...kept going on that road...or pass up this restaurant have been spot on. Look what we found instead! Blast it; (I'm working hard not to be a food blogger--but can't help myself!), but did we have a great lunch! NGG had cansado de pollo, a tico lunch, and BB had sopa de mariscos. Beautiful scenery with the river leading out to the ocean was a spectacular backdrop for our late lunch! The last pic here is the shells I picked out of my soup--and the 2 mini crabs were the cherry on top!

Never losing our desire to connect with the ocean and the waves, we stopped at Playa Tortuga as we drove back home. You would've been proud of us for driving down this road to get to this beach. I wondered who and why the road was built several times before arriving.

We tried a couple more turns off the road to reach other beaches along the way back, and were disappointed to find them closed and entrance prohibited (we were curious as well to know why they were closed). With an "oh well, we'll find another one", we drove on and took the next available beach exit (really, a hard left off the pavement and onto rocky dirt). Again, the "if it was easy, everyone would be doing it" feeling crept in as we looked at the path ahead. But we wanted to see Playa Ventanas (Windows Beach). Ok, pretty... a little rain was falling and it wasn't blowing my skirt up...

Then we discovered why it is named Playa Ventanas...

As I mentioned, road in was a questionable decision to continue. I didn't tell you before...we needed to leave a sacrifice at the stone panther/monkey idol as we entered...(no not really). BUT, we did have to ford our 3rd river across the road (the 4x4 didn't even flinch)!

We drove through multiple rain showers on the road home and got home about 5 pm local time. We made it to our room during a short break in the rain and then shortly after it started RAINING! Below is a highlight of a 2 hour light and sound show that kept us impressed.

Well, the rain hasn't stopped as I've been updating...so it's back to the cribbage tourney with my love! (I'm ahead right now so it's making the blog!)

Retirement is super cool!