Long Weekend at Betty's Beach House

Betty invited me to spend a long weekend at her family's beach house in Tarcoles, just before the infamous Jacó surfing town, on the Pacific coast. I was supposed to go last year during her kids' school vacation, but it didn't work out for various reasons. This year (kids have their summer vacation here in December, January and early February) we made sure that I accompanied them for a few days of fun in the sun.

The weather was perfect - sunny, 80s, lovely tropical breeze. Since I didn't get out of Dodge in December, I was ready for a little R&R. Children are not usually my favorite breed of people, but Betty's kids are great to hang out with! She and Eduardo are doing a wonderful job of raising them. In the picture from left to right there is Daniela, 11, Mateo, 9, me, Diego, 8, and Betty. That's Tao (dog), the fourth sibling, in Betty's lap. This was the second time I've spent time with the kids. We once went to the amusement park, so I already knew I liked to be around them.

One morning we drove down the dirt and rock road to the beaches behind the Punta Leona resort. We parked Betty's new little Yaris and trekked to Playa Blanca, a beautiful white sand beach (sort of like Siesta Key in Florida). Mateo was my hero - he carried my beach chair so I didn't have to strain my bad shoulder. We sat under a shade tree, the kids built a sand castle, and we swam in the warm, turquoise water. Did life get any better than that? Betty and I asked each other.

Back at the house, which has its own beach with black sand, we read a lot, napped, the kids played in the pool. I had brought easy Sudoku puzzles, and showed Diego and Mateo how to do them. I also brought Pass the Pigs, one of my favorite, simple games. It was a big hit with the kids.

Saturday night Eduardo, Betty's husband, took the bus from San Jose and joined us. Betty had been telling me about Eddy for two+ years, and I was beginning to think he didn't really exist because I had never met him. But I finally did, and he was easy to talk to. He brought a bag of peanuts in the shell, and we sat around eating, drinking, and relaxing.

After three nights and a very relaxing time, it was time to head for home. I feel totally chilled out.