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.