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Published: January 17th 2007
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Our Own Private Beach
...but we thought we´d invite a few friends! One year (and a couple weeks) ago today, Lindsay and I returned from our travels through Asia, a 4 month trip we called the “reunion tour” following years of living, working and studying in opposite ends of Canada. After the reunion tour we once again went our separate ways; Vancouver and Calgary. New cities, jobs and people all made time pass very quickly. Now, a year later we’ve reunited again, but decided to leave the backpacks and malaria drugs at home, instead opting for a vacation that could be “agreeable for the whole family”.
Before leaving we are asked if we have plans to resurrect the travel blog. We hadn’t, but we realized we couldn’t let you, our faithful readers, down. But given we were headed to a resort area in Mexico we realized we would have to work a little harder than originally planned to produce any “blog-worthy material” (Assuming that no-one wants to read about our daily sunbathing adventures…the challenges of proper sunscreen application…the struggle for limited sun chairs). So, instead of documenting the saga of beach bums reunited we’ve put together a short, anniversary blog detailing “select” parts of some of our adventures together and with our
family.
Our home base in Mexico was Rincon de Guayabitos, a small fishing village about an hour north of Puerto Vallarta. A few times a year Guayabitos comes alive, when thousands of (mainly local) tourists flock to the beaches and surrounding town (See “Our Own Private Beach” photo). Despite the small town charm of Guayabitos, we decide after a couple of days of catching up with our parents and sun absorbing to head for the city of Guadalajara.
The “3 hour” bus ride takes just over 6. We wind our way though endless agave fields. The mountainous area is known for tequila production, and 5 hours into the trip we pass the infamous town of Tequila itself. By this time seriously considering abandoning our mission to the city and drowning our bumpy bus blues in the birthplace of Tequila. But, there’s no stopping the bus and we eventually arrive in Guadalajara.
Guadalajara is Mexico’s 2nd largest city and the capitol of the state of Jalisco, with over 4 million in the metro area. Despite it’s size, the city seems remarkably laid back. We stay two days in Guadalajara, spending the majority of our time in the central
historical area. Guadalajara is known for its neoclassic architecture, universities, and being the birthplace of the Mariachi band.
Yet somehow, instead of spending our evening being serenaded by a 12-piece mariachi entourage, we find ourselves at the local “Rasta” bar, surrounded by too many Mexican Bob Marleys to count. We were jamming, make no mistake, but while entertaining we resolve to seek out one of the rumored mariachi bands, and eventually the dream is realized (see photo).
After a couple of days in big city Guadalajara we return to the little town of Guayabitos in time to meet Janis, our younger sister, who was arriving just in to meet in time for the family Christmas in Mexico (See family photo).
As we soon find out, Christmas in Mexico left no room for snow covered prairie Christmas nostalgia. The evening was complete with Jesus and Santa piñatas, hung for children and adults alike to take turns swinging a modified broom handle at. Following about 2 hours of the piñata, we followed a Christmas parade through the streets of Guayabitos, picking up people as it went along. The parade featured donkeys, squealing goats and Shakira blasting from a nearby
Mexican Santa
Has she been naughty or nice? truck radio. Instead of Santa, the parade had chosen to go with the devil as the man in red. El Diablo was available for anyone who wanted to get their Christmas photos taken with, which of course we did (See photo).
With our time in Mexico coming to an end we decide it is time to get serious about our surfing careers, or at least get started. We head to the neighboring town, Sayulita, a surfing destination popular with both the locals and half of California. On our second day we’re surviving, but haven’t quite started winning any competitions. When we return our boards the owner of the surfer shop, Mario, leads us to the backroom and takes the lid off a covered tub, revealing nearly a hundred toonie sized turtles. He tells us the sea turtle had layed the eggs right on the beach and knowing they had no chance of survival if left, Mario and his friends had buried them nearby in an area safely away from human threat.
Earlier that day they had started to hatch and Mario and friends had assisted in the births, and then relocated the turtles to the tub, until they
could be released that evening into the sea (The sea turtle, we learn, is endangered in the part of Mexico and despite numerous projects to help protect them, continued growth of tourism and development threatens their survival).
We return to Guayabitos and after one last day on the beach as we are soon heading back to Canada, already planning our next reunion trip…
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Janis Irwin
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Memories...
Rincon de Guayabitos...all that and only a 2.5 star rating? I can only dream of what magical location your next blog will detail. Here's to oceanside aerobics, not-so-gourmet food, and that angry cross protector guy on the hill. Thanks for making the trip great!!!