Seconds before our 5:00am alarm went off, the howler monkeys wanted to be the first to wake us, so that we would be up and ready for our surf lesson with Juan from Matos Surf shop.

Packing only a towel, sunglasses and my phone in my backpack, we stopped by the communal kitchen to grab our hard boiled eggs and a bananas. Eating them on the way to the surf shop, we did not encounter any monkeys like we thought was a possibility.

Juan rode up on his bicycle at precisely 6am. After unlocking the shop, he handed us rash guards, introduced us to Anna, a med student from Nebraska, and in his best English, he commanded us to pick up our boards. We walked across the street at the nearest beach access and headed to the north shore where the waves had the best break. Although the wind was gusting at 24 mph and sand blasting across the beach. But by golly we were determined to do this! A full moon hung stationary in the west as the morning sun started to crest creating a perfect silhouette of the nearest mountain. Juan gave us the very basics on the beach, how to paddle and pop up to a correct surfing position. The whole time I am thinking… “Yeah right, for twenty somethings like Miss Anna that should be pretty easy” The water, was warm and welcoming as I stepped into it. The three of us paddled out to waist high depth. Then one at a time Juan directed us on proper form, and step by step instructions. By my third time I was up riding my first wave. Each time I turned to paddle back out, I noticed with every breaking wave, a colorful prism arced from the golden sun pouring its light in the sea mist. The wind made it difficult as it was determined to carry us in the opposite direction from where we were trying be. I found myself getting more and more tired from just paddling to stay put, than actually surfing. I got up a few more times and rode a few waves. I was pretty happy with myself, considering I wasn’t sure I would be able to get up at all. This certainly motivates me to continue my efforts at the gym when I return to Tybee and I plan to get some surfing time in this summer. When Juan signaled our two hour lesson was finished, so was I. The wind had picked up even more and it took two of us to carry each board off the beach.

After retrieving our bag from the surf shop, we walked back to our villa. We stopped by the kitchen first for our first cup of coffee, only to find there were no coffee mugs left. Sean had pulled a muscle in his back while surfing and I was feeling pretty stiff myself, together we decided to remedy our ailments early in the day before they got out of hand. Sean dived head first into his Cacique (guaro) which is a cane sugar based liquor that the locals drink.

I opted for a screwdriver with the orange juice I had left from yesterday. Before too long we forgot about our bumps and bruises, and tight muscles. Our neighbor, Jack, joined us in partaking of our early cocktails. Pleasant surroundings and even more pleasant company made for a relaxing morning that flowed into afternoon.

I hung out in the hammock while Sean and Jack shared life stories and solved the world’s problems. Our happy hour(s) lasted till around one, when it magically became siesta time.

Later in the evening we returned to FT’s where we ate dinner the first night and I had the same wonderful meal, a fish casado. Prepared with fresh sea bass, it was one of the tastiest meals I have ever had and it was only $8.

After dinner we walked on the beach to take in the sunset. A nightly ritual for us here, that we really need to make a priority when we return to Tybee next week. How can life get so busy, that we can’t set aside 10 minutes each day to give thanks and allow such peaceful beauty to enter our soul each day? The sunsets here are beautiful, but we both agree that Tybee sunsets are more dynamic with depth and colors.

Tonight I am swaying in my favorite hammock, finishing up this blog post, while the monkeys are howling, the breeze gently rattling the palms over my head. Ending another perfect night in paradise.