“The ocean is at its most seductive, don’t you think, when it’s most dangerous?”

-Alan Brennert, Moloka’i

Alex and I left Ometepe in time to catch the swell, which arrived as promised with overhead waves and clean conditions. On Saturday morning, I surfed Popoyo, alongside all the rippers in town for the upcoming contest, as a crew constructed a massive tent on the hill in front of the break.

I said my goodbyes to Bob and Mariah, and hired Gustavo to drive me to Tamarindo, where I caught a bus headed north to Liberia. I had a lingering sour stomach from the boat ride, so I commenced a fast for the day and decided to limit my fluid intake. The last thing I wanted was diarrhea on the bus.