Day 13 - Tamarindo (Final, Final)

We have arrived at the part of our adventure where Mike gets quiet, tears well up with the mention of cold weather and he scoffs the moment someone asks what time we need to leave for the airport. … The part is? Our last full day in Costa Rica. #sadpanda

But … we kept the day full and busy (in a relaxing way) to keep his, and our minds, off of packing and heading home tomorrow.

Today’s plans??

I had planned a dessert crawl … a pub crawl but with dessert! My idea was to ChatGPT all the dessert places, map them out and prioritize them based on TripAdvisor. Well … we hit up some desserts but not to the point where we staggered home with a PR sugar-high. Love this idea so hit me up if you are in for a local dessert pub crawl!

Mike kicked off the day (dessert crawl) by walking to Breaking Bread (solid name play) where he snagged the most fresh and flaky pastries. Yes they are technically pastries but he snagged a blueberry delight that was nothing less than having dessert for breakfast. Cinnamon rolls were on-point as well.

Next for us was plopping towels down by the pool, to hold our loungers, while we explored the beach. Beautiful beach day! A little breeze to cool the skin and scattered clouds to provide a sun break. And my favorite? Not crowded.

When the blueberry sugar wore off … it was lunch at Tama Onda along the beach. Great selection by Matthew and Lilly! No dessert here though because we had our eye on finally having some ice cream at POPS.

POPS is an ice cream chain we have been seeing and passing by during our travels here in Costa Rica. And not having a taste of POPS would be like not eating at a Waffle House in the south.

We ordered … we waited … we delighted. I found a secret menu of POPS. So secret that the young lady didn’t even know about it. 😂 Mike and I split our 🤫 dessert, to pace ourselves just like any trained athlete paces him/herself in a race.

After POPS, it was back to the beach for Mike and I, and the others headed to the pool. We dipped in the ocean, soaked in the waves, salt and sand (and kicked a few hidden rocks), then we too retired to the pool.

A little bit more of shopping, and then up to shower for dinner back at Patagonia.

Second time dining at Patagonia and again … delicious! And we ordered dessert! Two volcano chocolate cakes and ice cream. Double delicious-ness!

Today concluded with a big CHEERS to Costa Rica and familia, and a few puffs on the pipe to call it a day. And what a good day it was!

Final Thought and Reflection:

I clearly remember a hot summer day riding in my dad’s work truck (in high school - so I knew everything 😉) and having a debate about time.

My dad’s position was that time was precious and once gone, it was gone — no making it up. My position was you can always make-up time. My teenager mind was like … you can always nap and recoup time. 🤦🏽‍♀️

Almost 22 years ago he landed his KO punch that ended the debate — he won! Can’t get time back as much as we wish we could!

These days I make a point to do what I can to make the most of the present. I’m a WIP but life sure keeps reminding me that the present does become the past and if you blink you will miss it.

Why do I bring this up? This trip was all about being present, being with one another and soaking up not only adventure, but pushing our comfort limits, asking ourselves “When will I ever be in Costa Rica again?”, etc …

Happy to report … we didn’t waste one minute of precious time together. ♥️

We will forever treasure Costa Rica! It holds a lot of fond memories (and firsts) in these mountains!

Much love,
M&ALæs mere