After a jam packed day in Manuel Antonio, we hopped in the car and drove another hour or so down to Dominical.  We stayed at the lovely Cuna Del Angel.  The hotel was a beautiful, small boutique hotel.  The grounds, room, and pool area were all beautiful, but this place is definitely more geared for a relaxing, romantic weekend — not a weekend with friends!  Regardless, we still really enjoyed eating in their restaurant in swimming in their lovely pool!

After we ate dinner on Friday night at the hotel, we drove up the hill to the Jolly Roger for some drinks.  As soon as we walked in, we were greeted with TONS of Steelers signs.  I was in heaven, and for a minute felt like I was home again!  Steeler nation is everywhere, and we were glad to see it!  While I was taking this picture with the Steeler sign, a man, came over to me and asked if I was a ‘burgher, to which I proudly told him I was.  Turns out he owns the bar and is from the same exact town I am from in Pittsburgh!  Talk about a small freakin’ world.  To celebrate me being his first ever guest from Gibsonia, PA (what! what! 15044!) we took a celebratory tequila shot!  Andrew couldn’t resist trying some of their wings either, and he raved about them!

Saturday morning we woke up bright and early to do a horseback tour to the Nauyaca waterfall.  Let me be clear by first stating that I had only previously ridden a horse once, and hated the experience the first time.  I was willing to give it another shot this time because

a. Elaine loves horses

b. I wanted to see the waterfalls

and

c. I’ll try anything twice.

Well, I can say that I am definitely glad that I did, however that will most likely be the last time I ever get on a horse.  We just simply do not get along and I cannot trust them!  For the first half of my tour everything was going fine, the horse and I were getting along fine and at times I was even riding completely alone with just me and the horse (no one else within sight).

We stopped at the waterfall for some swimming and pictures.  The water was freezing, but we were able to get Elaine to get in after much convincing.

On our way back from the waterfall the horse and I had quite a falling out.  We were riding along with Elaine in front of us, when suddenly a man on motorcycle was SITTING on the side of the road.  OK people, the motorcycle was not even on!  This freaked my horse out quite a bit and he started RUNNING in the opposite direction.  I was pulling on the reigns trying to get him to turn around and stop, and finally he did.  We turned back around and immediate freak out again, running back up the hill AGAIN. At this time the tears started flowing because no one was coming to help, and I clearly had no control over the horse.  Finally, the guide came running back and had to pretty much drag my horse past the motorcycle.  Pretty sure the motorcycle driver was laughing the whole time and loved watching me being tortured.  I survived the rest of the ride, but I was certainly glad it was over.  At the end I realized my horse and I did have something in common: we are both nervous nellies.

After the traumatic experience (for me), we cracked some cervezas and went swimming before heading out to Best Fest for some sunset watching and live music.  It was the perfect way to unwind after the morning!

Thanks for coming Elaine, we had the best time with you!