Tamarindo is a a beach on the pacific side of Costa Rica and one of the most americanized places I've been to during this trip. I think there were actually more americans in Tamarindo than actual local costa ricans. It's packed with American fast food chains and american food. There's only one single place in the whole town that serves local costa rican food and caters to the local. All other businesses are mostly for the american tourists and dollars are accepted everywhere.

As most of the pacific coast, the surf there is excellent and many people come there for the good surfing. I thought about taking some surf classes, but then got lazy and decided to just bum around the beach.

One good thing about Tamarindo or mostly anywhere in Costa Rica is the abundance of wildlife all over the country. In the hostel I stayed, every morning, we could see/hear howling monkeys on the trees just by the hostel, see huge iguanas roaming around in the yard to catch some sun and by the beach I saw a sea turtle and some great colorful crabs and numerous species of birds !

Even brown people can get browner with the extreme sun (when it's not raining) on the Carribean coast of Costa Rica. This is me, even though I had sun cream SPF 50...

This picture summarizes how I spent most of my Sunday today !! I am in Puerto Viejo de Talamanca in Costa Rica, a small carribean beach town with plenty of gorgeous and empty beaches, but as it's rainy season, it rained for a big chunk of the day today. I am glad that my hostel had hammocks (most hostels that I've stayed in Costa Rica also have them). The hostel I am at - well rather a hotel.. as it don't have dormitory beds.. mostly cabins and it's only 1/2 block from the beach !! I got my own cabin for $10, but no AC.. only fan and shared bathroom.. but you can't get it all for $10 a night :)

On my way back from Los Angeles to San Franciso, on Priscille's advice, I took the exit for La Jolla Beach and it was so worth it. Wonderful beaches, wild sea lions and numerous varieties of wild birds. It was among the most beautiful beaches and scenery I've been to in California.

Sent from my iPhone

Sent from my iPhone

Flic en Flac is one of the most popular public beaches in Mauritius. Its the nearest beach to where I stay as well. Had lunch with a friend around that area today and after lunch dropped by for a quick swim and rest under the filao trees.

Flic en Flac is great for swimming.. maybe some 2 kilometres of beach or so or more all regularly cleaned and taken care of and great reef that protect the beach from the waves.

It also has great Snorkelling very close to the shore - with hundreds of species of tropical fish. I wish I had an underwater sleeve for my camera and be able to take some pictures of the wonderful aquatic life there.

Last week, I worked till very late at night around 4:00a.m, then at 8:30a.m had to go drive my mom to school. After I dropped her, before I go back to sleep, I thought I'd go to the beach and have a good swim and then come back home to crash. I decided to go to a beach in the West Coast of Mauritius - La Preneuse Beach. Its not very crowded there and excellent calm water for swimming. Enjoy the pics !