Adios, Mexico!

 Everyone but Blake was getting tired of tacos, but we still opted for tacos over PB&J.  For two meals.  It took us two hours but gave us a chance to play with local dogs, buy leashes and collars for our pets, and find more beaded jewelry.

We debated between La Lancha beach and ..... but decided on the waves at .... 

Kate: "I had no idea I could body board."

Kate, later: "I had no idea I was so good at body boarding!"

Zachary and I rented boards.  It was a shore break with so many rocks, and Zachary handles that so much better than I do.  I was so happy to have that hour to mess around together.  He is much more coordinated and paddles into anything he wants.  We had a few paddle battles and he easily beat me.

My favorite pic of us together:

I missed this tiny wave and he made it.  

These poses earned him some attention on shore.

Zac spent an hour body surfing with everyone after, and I spent the hour jumping through waves with Owen and wishing I was good at body surfing.  The waves were not as powerful/scary as Kaua'i waves, but they were big enough that I scrambled to find Owen every single time.  He had as much endurance as anyone out there, and even trembling with cold, did not want to leave the water.  Finally I told him it was Dad's turn, and he decided he was cold.  Brady, Owen, and I walked along the beach, exploring shells, abandoned condos, birds, and finding washed up puffer fish, an eel, and a jellyfish!

The group finally emerged from the waves--after 3 straight hours with no break!  They were exhausted, satisfied, and salty. Kate's lips are still a little swollen from the day.

Elise requested a beach sunset and I love those kinds of demands.

One more workout/run on the beach.  This time, the low tide allowed us to run well over a mile one way.  Walker, Kate and Brady joined, went on swings, and jogged over tide pools.  None of my photos will upload so imagine a cute shot of Kate and Walker grinning on beach swings.

One more green smoothie and pancake breakfast.  One more 90 degree water swim.

I felt like a good mom for swimming with my kiddo one more time.

Brady's company is in the middle of a huge lawsuit with 1Hotel.  He took this pic as a laugh.

We managed to dodge the Federales and any food/water poisoning.  Aside from chapped lips and a few pounds from unlimited tacos, our family did perfectly fine on this trip.  C&K family landed with fractured rib, multiple jelly stings, and multiple bee stings.  I think Olsens faired okay, too!  

I am not one-and-done.  I loved it.  I loved my happy surfer boy, my relaxed spouse, my delighted body boarder girl, and my up-for-anything youngest boy.  I loved the friend time, the way the kids interacted all trip, and the many many easy conversations.  I loved the tacos.  I don't need any more tacos for a long time.  I could use this trip all over again, plus a hot shower, anytime.

Adios, Mexico!

Mexico 6: Breakfast Date, Marietas Islands and the Blue Footed Boobies, and a Fossilized Crocodile

Walker, Sam and Kate set their alarms for a morning breakfast date.  It was so fun watching them take the initiative to make space for their trio.

Kristen and I went on another beach-ish/resort/construction site jog.

We discovered that breakfast at the hotel was infinitely better than dinner at the hotel, and also cheaper than our grocery runs for yogurt, granola and bananas.

Brady said Owen would never eat all his pancakes.  Game on.

Challenge.  Accepted.

Marietas Island Day.  Our guide was kind, informative, and exposed.  I was the only one who didn't glimpse the whole package.  Marietas are a small group of protected, uninhabited islands.  My Wikipedia search taught me that in the 1900s, the Mexican government was using the site for military testing so much of the islands are scarred with bombings and craters.  In the 1960s, they were protected from hunting and fishing, and now the destination for (way too) many tourist groups. 

We were anxious to spot the blue-footed boobies and even with the harsh mid-day lighting, we could see them clearly.  Except for Brett.  He is colorblind.

The guide rushed us between photo after photo.  On one level, I was so happy to get a few pictures of all of us and on the other, I felt trapped in a tourist web.

Ultimately, the experience was worth it to me because we got to watch the kids fly solo on the other boat.  I hoped someone was watching out for Owen as he swam the distance from the boat to the beach, but he is so comfortable in water and anxious to prove himself.

Can you imagine a more touristy display?  Except I also love it.

It was unique but definitely not relaxing.  "Hurry!  Our time is almost up!" -Our guide, ushering us from photo op to photo op.  Us, still wondering when he will close his fly.

Ariel, "I want to be where the people are..."

The tour was supposed to include snorkeling but the captain opted for whale watching instead.  I still feel giddy every time I see a whale, so this was an acceptable compromise for me.

The whales put on a show.

Brett said we all need whale tail shirts now...

After the tour, we went to La Lancha beach.  It required a 10 minute walk reminiscent of our treks to Pakalas on Kauai's west side.

THIS was actually relaxing.

I slept off my Dramamine for a solid 45 minutes.

This beach was spectacular for its shells, sand, and views.  It is also close to where we surfed with our guide a few days before.

Crabs!

La Lancha has crocodiles in the stream nearby, and our guide told us he has seen them in the ocean water many times over the years.  Cory was convinced this was a fossilized crocodile.  

I wish for one more afternoon at this beach!

Zac hunted for shells.  I love watching him in sand and tides and water.

Sam and O have such a sweet relationship.

After a couple hours, we reluctantly packed up and went back to prep for dinner.  We bought a few items from vendors along the way.  

Is it too much to ask for this tile somewhere in my house???

Quick dips in the pool before the kids collectively consumed 70 tacos.  70.  That made us feel much less guilty about leaving them for a fancy date night.

This is me wishing I hadn't applied clown makeup over my dry, lathered-up-with-Aquafore face and then wiping it all off.  Also, I learned that a beach trip needs at least one white skirt outfit.

It was a night I would have happily joined the kids eating tacos in my PJs, but ended up grateful for the others pushing a date night and enjoying the adult time for a few hours.  Plus, the food was spectacular.  By vacation day 6, I don't need anything fancy but no complaints about this presentation and flavor fusion!  I left the night feeling so grateful for these friends in my life.