Catch of the Day

When he rolled out of my yoga mat - I smacked him with my flip flops :)

Pura Vida

Happy Hour - EO Style

Vago has recently been talking about cutting back.......

Knowing he would not be open last night - no problem - we just regrouped.  I think it was Brooke who declared Happy Hour would be at the local landmark on the beach we lovingly call "The Crackhead bus stop"

Just a handful of us had showed up when Vago and Steven arrived.  

The way things are going....Low Tide no mas, Mike's restaurant shut down, Shake recently closed - heard the restaurant next to Super Sol is closed (not confirmed).......this just may soon be THE place in EO.

Pura Vida.....on Shaky ground.......

Les, Robby, Steven, Gry, Brooke, Craig & Vago

The Half Moon Bay Boys and.....YaYa

My friends Bruce and YaYa presently live in Pacifica, California (near San Francisco) - however, they used to live in Half Moon Bay, famous for the monster wave "Mavricks".

I first met Bruce back in 2008 (I think - could have been 2009).  At that time he was single and came with his life long friends Jimmy (Maui Jim who is here right now but lives in Hawaii), Jimmy's cousin Johnny, and Jason - still lives in Half Moon Bay.  All these guys are now in their 50's.  All of these guys have known each other for a very long time - friends of Jeff Clark, known for being the first to ever ride Mavricks.  Every year since 2008 - most of them return.  Johnny did not make it this year - apparently he hurt his back plus he has twin grand-daughters soon to be born.  Jason was not here last year - but was the year or two before with his girlfriend.  Maui and Bruce are the constants.  Bruce especially since he met the amazing YaYa.

About (I use a lot of "abouts" because so many people come and go it is hard to keep it all straight :) - 3 years ago Bruce was the lucky man that found YaYa - or  maybe it was the other way around - I don't know.   Her real name is Bendavid Yael and she is from Morocco.  YaYa is an amazing artist and most of the time they are here in EO, she is doing some type of art work on the house they are staying in - in exchange for the rent.  

When they were here in December - they stayed at my friend Debbie's house.  That house is just a couple houses up the street from where I live.  Last visit, YaYa did an amazing muriel in Deb's bedroom - this year she took on the outside wall in the backyard.

One afternoon I spent awhile watching her paint.  We were both talking and she didn't miss a paint stroke regardless of who was speaking.  It was effortless for her to apply the paint to the idea she had created in her head.  I was mesmerized watching bamboo appear and look three dimensional, the plants looked real and a surf board ready to grab and head for the beach - all of this painted onto one flat wall. 

They come, they go.......Always a pleasure!!  Half Moon Bay boys and YaYa - See ya next time :)

Pura Vida

Maui and Bruce 5/2009

Johnny 5/2009

Jason and Ozzie 5/2009

Bruce and YaYa

Rayo

Rayo is a beautiful horse.  For the time being - as he has been "leased" ....he belongs to my friend Gry.  These photos were taken a few weeks ago when I went with Gry to the farm in Esterillos Este - where he is kept along with Julia, Karen and Sunny's horses.  Just sharing one of the many beautiful mornings in my amazing life here in Costa Rica :)

Pura Vida

Gry, Karen, Julia, Sunny 4/2013

Sunny's horse Casper

Karen's baby - Shadow

First Annual Esterillos Yacht and Golf Club Outing

Several weeks ago the first ever Esterillos Golf Club outing was held in Esterillos Centro sponsored by Dan Gibson.  I was late getting there due to the "Blue Flag" award presentation here in EO, but did arrive in time for the last hole or two and of course the after party.  The following was sent to me by my friend Dan who came up with the idea and made it happen:

Well the "first annual" is done!!   And I might say it was a resounding success -- A little rain tried to dampen out spirits -- however -- due to the amount of alcohol consumed prior to the gaming activities -- most of the participants did not know it was raining --- 

The course was laid out by the distinguished golf architectural firm of Gibson and Gibson and Matthews and a young Costa Rican who did most of the work -- a lot of "character" (as some of the players said) was in the design -- the rain actually reduced the course rating -- beverage was available on the course --

We had a "golf clinic" put on by honest James (Larry) Sampson -- since he is left handed and -- by design -- we did not have any "left handed clubs" -- he used a putter -- well Larry damned near set a course record with just the putter -- the only thing that threw us off was his question -- after striking the ball -- "where did the damn thing go?" ---

Some (very few) on course questions and issues were quickly dispatched by "honest Dan Gibson" -- the resounding applause at the end of the event was evidence of his brilliant and professional planing and sacrifice!!!!

1.  Winner of the closest to the pin --- "sure shot Kealy" -- disputed by non other than "Jersey Jack" -- to the point Kealy asked me for my pistola during the party ---

2.  The overall winner was "Bad Bob" out of Atenas -- a nice gentleman who I believe to have been a touring pro in an earlier life --

The party was terrific --- "beans by Bob" were out of sight -- so was the "marinated pork loin and pasta salad ----Bob was also the holder of the "pot money" --  his fee of 50% for "providing this service" I felt was very much in line ---  (used to work with Obama in his administration) ---

Wish to thank all persons attending and all of the additional beverages and food brought ---

The next golf outing will be held at the same location the first week of June -- the actual date and time to be announced -- based on the tide --  needless to say -- we will need to make arrangements for the beverages and food -- since Dennis and Carolyn only have one anniversary per year!!!

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Thank you Dan, Dennis and Carolyn for making this an AWESOME event!!

Pura Vida