Punta Mita...so much fun!

Hola,  A great couple of days having spent Friday at Sayulita, Saturday at La Lancha, Sunday included a beautiful drive to San Blas and other seaside villages and today another wonderful day at La Lancha.  But after a few margaritas at dinner tonight, I think I need to wait until tomorrow to post about the last few days.  Buenos Noches mi Amigos!

Thursday dive trip, Punta Mita Style

We had planned for a dive trip so Mark could get in some scuba diving while we are here.  In past trips we have gone with Chico's Dive Shop in Puerta Vallarta.  While we have truly enjoyed the trips we have gone on with them, the only problem we found was trying to park in the downtown area where they are located.  When we got here earlier this week, Mark got on the internet to see what other options we have are.  He has always wanted to do a dive out at the Murrietta Islands, which we can see from our condo balcony.  From where we are staying, it is about a 15 min boat ride.  From Puerto Vallarta, its an hour drive into town and and hour boat ride.  So you would think there would be a dive trip or two in town that we could use.  Well no.  They always say the go there to dive, but they never seem to get enough divers wanting to to there to do to make it worth their while. 

On Mark's internet search he did find several, but some of them it looked liked we would be paying $300.00 US dollars for both of us to go out on the boat.  Mark dives and I don't.  I just like being on the boat.  He found one company called   PV Sea Dives who we decided to go with.  It was $125.00 for the both of us.  It was a 2 tank dive for him.  Only catch, they were out of the Marina in PV.

So we got up early on Thursday morning and head down to the marina.  Sue and Marie own the operation and are wonderful.  They had another dive master who's name is also Marc.  The three of them are from Great Britain and have a wonderful sense of humor.  Our captain was Carlos who is a local here.  There were 2 other couples on board who were from Mississippi.  A smooth boat ride, beautiful weather and good company.  You can't ask for much more than that.



Getting ready for the first dive

Mark and the rest of the divers all enjoyed their first dive.  Between the two dives we went over to this arch in the water and were encouraged to jump in and swim through the arch to this unbelievable little beach on the other side of it.  You would never know this little beach was there.  I have a picture of it coming to me in a few days as one of the other couples had a waterproof camera and were kind enough to take our picture standing in one of the two caves that are on either side of this little protected beach.  It is like this little oasis you would expect to see in a Pirates of the Caribbean movie.

We had about 20 min there before we needed to be back at the boat for their second dive.  After that dive and everyone was on board we started to head out when the captain spotted some whales ahead so he steered the boat closer to them.


2 dolphins and 1 of the whales right in front of our small boat

It was incredible.  There was a pod of about 6 whales and a couple of dolphins right in front of us.  They were so majestic, powerful and magical.  We stayed with them for about 15 min and saw them surface and dive many times and of course witness the sprays of water from their blow holes.  I've seen whales before from our cruise a few years ago to Alaska, but it was nothing like this.  They are right there in front of you and almost seem to be enjoying performing for us.  It was an amazing sight to see 4 whales all surfacing in a row at the same time right in front of you.  Words can't describe the feeling it leaves you with.


My friend the whale, waving goodbye to us with it's tail

We witnessed this for about 15 minutes before we needed to head back to the Marina.  It is 15 minutes of power and grace that I will hold close in my memories. 

Swim safe and free my new found friends from the ocean.



Wednesday, another day in paradise....sort of

Paradise found

The weather just doesn't get much more perfect.  Blue skies and the sound of the ocean are the first things we see and hear as we greet each new day.  I have forgot what a jacket and sweater are and sunscreen seems to be my body lotion.

We didn't head off to La Lancha for our usual surf and beach day.  Mark did a double session yesterday with surfing in the morning at La Lancha and then an hour or so on the stand up paddle board at the beach across the street from our condo.  He wanted to give his body a chance to rest up.  We spend the morning walking the down town area of Punta Mita (about 3 whole blocks) searching out the scuba diving  shops in the area and making plans for a dive trip tomorrow.  We ended up booking one out of Puerta Vallarta that we found on the internet.  That means an early wake up call at 6:00 am for the drive into Puerta Vallarta.  We are leaving a bit earlier than we probably need to, but we don't know what the morning traffic will like.

We decided to spend today's afternoon at one of my favorite towns, Sayulita.  It is about 15-20 minutes up the road.  It is a bit bigger than Punta Mita, and a whole lot funkier.  The beach there is just as lovely and a lot more full of life with a lot of beach front restaurants, vendors and people from all over.  The downtown area streets are all lined with cobblestone and the ones  branching off further into the neighborhoods are all dirt roads.  Dogs of every shape and size (I can't tell the breed of most of them), wander around or just lay sleeping where they choose.  It was nice to see that most of them did have collars on and looked cared for. 

We walked along the beach and Mark stopped to talk to the guys renting stand up paddle boards all along our walk.  We will probably go back there on Friday so he can paddle board there.  They say it's best in the morning surf.  The restaurants along the beach all have tables and chairs set up just beyond the water's edge, so for the price of breakfast or lunch and a few soft drinks or cocktails, the chair is yours for the day.

When we left the beach and headed up the streets of this sleepy little town, the aromas coming at you from all the different restaurants is incredible. The delicious smell of onions, garlic, spices and more come at you in all directions.  We weren't hungry, but could have easily stopped for something to eat.  We held strong and decided to just stop for an iced coffee at an open aired coffee shop we passed.



And later that night...
 

In Mexico, why is it most of the sidewalks aren't level and steps aren't of the same height? And who builds a 2" high step?  Did they do this just to mess with me?  I hadn't even had a margarita yet and I found the only 2" step in town.  Well rather my big toe found it as I stumbled over it and I think I now have a broken toe.

I am not the type of person who lets something like this ruin my day.  So after we finished our beverages, we walked on.  Me with my toe angled upward to keep my weight off it.  After all, there were all these little shops I hadn't been in yet.

Day Two - Punta Mita,

What do you mean....No cheesie fish on the menu???

Tonight we ate dinner at my favorite place, the El Dorado.  When we got there we were a little upset as my favorite all time dish wasn't on the dinner menu, Pesacado El dorado style....basically mahi mahi in a white cream sauce, topped with cheese and shrimp and this wonderful garlic bread.  We asked if they still made it and they said yes, that it was on the lunch menu, but they would be happy to fix it for diiner.  We have ordered this dish since we first started coming to Punta Mita 6 years ago.  This dish is perfection!  And so are the maragaritas.  Usually 1 leaves you buzzed and another 1/2 a margarita makes you start wondering if you can actually walk or stumble back to your condo.  Any more than that you seriously hope that someone else is sober enough to get you back to the condo.

But after they brought us the cheesie fish and a margartia...all is good!
 

Today we went to a beautiful beach and surf spot called La Lancha.  It has changed in the last  6 years.  6 years ago you had to know where you were going.  Park across the road, find the trail, cross the lagoon and end up as a beautiful spot (I swear once I saw a crocodile n the lagoon).  3 years ago you parked on this strang side street, squeezed in where the fence was cut open and walked down the trail to the beach.  Now they have a secuity guard who will let you in if you have a surf board or boogie board.  Only those with, can get it.  We had 1 surfboard with us so they would let Mark in, but because I didn't, they wouldn't let me in.  So we drove back into town and rented a boogie board for me so I could get in,  drove back the 5 or so miles and then I could get it.  I didn't take any pictures of this little piece of paradise, but I will tomorrow when we go again.

After a few hours at La Lancha we head toward the Mega Market which is a big grocery store and more.  You can buy food, a motor cycle, appliance, sporting goods, clothing and more.  You can find women's lingerie (think Walmartish) right next to the produce section.  But they had no boogie boards this time of year (I would think you could by a boogie board anytime of year at costal Mexico).  So we headed to Walmart in Puerto Vallarta and they also didnt have any boogie boards.  We headed back to Punta Punta and while we were driving through Bucierias  we spotted a surf shop and stopped there, but their boogie boards were going for over $250.00!    I don't think so!  So we walked into town and found one at the local open air market area for about $30.00.

I'll post more more pictures tomorrow along with my theory about Time Released Tequilla.

Have fun and be safe!
Cecelia

We made it to Punta Mita!  We had about an hour delay out of SFO, but were totally expecting it because of the weather in San Francisco.  The flight was smooth and uneventful and getting through customs was almost painless.  We hadn't even had been asked to "push the button" and they were already asking me to open up my main suitcase.  Nothing there of course.  Of all the jobs at the airport I would hate to have the one job of the guy who has to hand search the suitcases.  It wouldn't be so bad for the flights coming in as most everyone it is day one of vacation and all the clothes in it are "fresh", but the poor guy (or gal) who  has to hand search the suitcases of those post vacation.  I wouldn't want to have to go through their dirty clothes! I am making a mental note to make sure I pack all the "delicate" items in a zip log back for our return flight.  Gross!

After landing and having my suitcase searched in Puerta Vallarta it is always the usual hassel with rent a car agency.  No matter which rental company we use, it always seems to take twice as long as it should.  I think us and one other family were the last ones out of the airport from our flight.  They were a delightful family from Vacaville, Ca.  It looked like Mom and dad, son and daughter in law and adorable grand daughter.  Very nice family spending two weeks in Nuevo Vallarta.  We are on the same flight home as well.

The drive to Punta Mita was easy and for the third time we are staying at the El Enclote condos.  The guys at the security gate are as wnderful as always and do their best to make us feel safe (one of the reasons we keep staying here!).

I'll write more about our first dinner in town tomorrow.  The effects of the margaritas are still in effect and I am tired and should really just go to sleep at this point.

Have fun and be safe!
Cecelia

Punta Mita...here we come!

Well Mark and I are here at the airport waiting for our flight to Puerta Vallarta.  While we have been to Punta Mita  a couple of times before, it is still exciting.  We've brought one 9' board with us and hope to be able to rent a stand up paddle board for the time we are there.  That will make Mark a happy camper.  I have my kindle loaded with books so I am a happy camper.

I promise to post while we are away...and not wait 3 months before you get another post from me.  I only brought my little  camera with me so I hope it doesn't give me any issues like it has in the past.  Mark has his so if my fails, I can use his.  I usually take most of the pictures on our trips anyway. 

Have fun and stay safe,

Cecelia

Next stop.....Punta Mita!

forever and then some



Oh to be back on the sand again!

 Yes, it has been for ever since I last posted, but with good reason.  I would love to say that Mark and I have been off on a round-the-world surf adventure, but sadly, that is not the case.  The day of my last post, Mark suffered a back injury.  The symptoms didn't appear for 2 days, but a fall off the surf board that day ended up with surgery 2 weeks later for a herniated disk in his back that was putting so much pressure on a nerve that he couldn't walk.  He is doing great and the nerve damage seems to be healing.  Actually the afternoon right after the surgery his leg and foot were already improving.  If he had waited any longer, the damage would have been a lot worse and permanent.

He is back to swimming at lunch time, going to the gym and just about everything else and in another month's time, his doctor will probably give him the okay to surf again.  He is thinking maybe about waiting a few months more, just to give the healing process a little more time.  No use in rushing it if it hasn't healed 100%.  He'd rather wait a few more months, rather than get out there too soon and risk injury and never be able to surf again.

It's sad to see all the surfboards and SUPs gathering dust in the garage.  The sun block and changing poncho are still in the back of his car longing to be used again.  I miss the sound of the ocean and my walks around Santa Cruz.  But I'd rather wait and have him be healthy.

So what have I been doing?  I started a class on medical assisting.  I've learned a lot and I feel much better about my first aide skills.  I've even learned how to do stitches - even though a doctor normally does them.  But I'm just saying, if you are ever with us on one of our exotic surf trips and you are in need, if I had the stuff, I could set you up!  

I have also gone back to work for a computer company....I don't do any technical stuff (that is way out of my league!) but I can manage your Outlook calendar like nobody else. 

I've also thought of a million business ideas for myself.  Hopefully the product line of one of those ideas will be premiered  here on my blog.  Yes, it is surf related!

So if you missed me, don't worry, I am back.  I hope in the next week to post more about the surf trips we have taken in the past.  I don't see enough written about the small beach towns we have visited in Mexico and I know fellow surfwidows would like to know what to expect if they visit them.

In the mean time, someone send me some sand...I miss it.