Tag / Playa Conchal

Awoke early this morning at 6:30am. Quickly preparing for the day, headed out for breakfast at Mitra buffet. A large open air room is setup to feed the hoards of hungry tourists. A large spread of items with many traditional dishes (omelets, bacon, and pancakes) mixed with many local favorites (rice with black beans and chicken fajitas with tortillas). The cafe con leche definitely hit the spot. Feeling well fed, we headed off to our primary activity for the day…a morning at the spa with 9am appt for deep tissue massages. With a quick check-in and welcome, we were led to the men’s locker room to change into our robe and slippers. We were met in the waiting area by two women who led us to our individual therapy rooms. After taking my place on the massage table under the sheet, the therapist commenced her routine. First one leg, the another. Wow, calf deep tissue hurts. Then back, arms, shoulders. Rollover…arms and shoulders. It was definitely working out the kinks. With the double ring of the bell. The session was over. Felt like jelly as I stood up. Very relaxing and rejuvenating. With the massage, we were invited to enjoy the facilities. First stop was the hydro-pool. Nice hot water with multiple jets felt good. Second stop was the steam shower…but how to turn it on? Third stop, the outdoor jacuzzi and cold plunge pools. This area was next to the beach with a bamboo canopy over the pool to block most of the hot sun. Taking turns going from hot to cold was quite exhilarating. An Iguana on a nearby wall provided some entertainment watching him patiently catch his breakfast of passing insects. Hummingbirds buzzed and chirped as they sucked the nectar from nearby birds of paradise. The gentle roll of waves in the distance provided just the right amount of relaxing sound. I could soak here all day…especially since we had it to ourselves…but hunger eventually provided the impetus to dry off and leave our spa sanctuary behind.

A quick stop off at the room, and we made our way to Spirula…the “Italian” restaurant with pizza and pasta. Settling down at the open air terrace, we ordered a couple of pizzas to satiate our hunger as well as a couple of mojitos. Digging into our lunch, we were soon joined by a troop of Coati eyeing our tasty plates. We were half expecting them to jump on the table and help themselves, but they kept a safe distance…though they work that “feed me” look quite well. With the temps and humidity soaring, we headed back to room to take a short rest and then swim. That idea didn’t make it past the planning stage because the dark clouds descended and the rain commenced…lots of rain and thunder. Since our afternoon plans were thrown off, we walked umbrella in hand to the lobby to get photo copies of our passports and have a drink at the lobby bar. The lobby sits at the highest point with a sweeping view down to the ocean and beyond, but today, only the gray mist of air was visible as rain continued unabated. Perfect excuse to try a few libations…melon mojito and a sexy coffee (Baileys, espresso, and something else).









Still watching for a break in the rain, we gave up waiting for it to abate and walked back to the room to rest and change for dinner. Our reservation for tonight was the Asian-fusion restaurant, Bamboo. Dinner was delightful with spring rolls, chicken satay, and chicken with green curry and rice…finishing with fried banana and vanilla ice cream. We are definitely not suffering in the food department on this trip. Full and happy, we headed back to our room to pack and get some zzzz’s before tomorrow’s big adventure…