The beach at Sayulita
Who would have thought we’d be flying into Sayulita, versus sailing into La Cruz, mainland Mexico.Thanks to engine failure in Sausalito, we took full advantage of the healing power of sun, sea, tropical fruit, and family over the Christmas holidays in what the advertisements call a “small fishing village” two scalloped stretches of beach north from Punta Mita.
The bus barreled down the main avenue of Puerto Vallarta from the Airport and tore down the winding road through dense palms and banana trees to a full stop before the bridge in Sayulita. We piled out with luggage full with champagne, wine, nuts, chutneys, presents, candles, swimsuits and sarongs. We trudged over the bridge on a dusty road to the office of Avalos Real Estate. Into the 4-wheel drive vehicle with Jorge and after a beer and lime stop, we pulled up to Cumpleanos, which means birthday, our “home” for a week.
Cumpleanos (birthday) was our mushroom home in nirvana for a week
It looked like a mushroom filled with gorgeous artwork. The master bedroom on the third floor looked out over a deck with blue ocean view. The sound of breaking waves and sight of birds flying in formation against cloudless blue skies or swooping into trees for green seeds (chucaca, parakeets, frigates, pelicans) eased us into the center of nirvana. A place of healing.
Few of many pieces of Mexican native art to enjoy
Vanessa reading behind the veil where mosquitoes do not fly
Chucacos (blackbirds) swooping into the tree for green seed pods
Flying fish with the casita behind the main house
Relaxing down by the kidney-shaped turquoise pool with palms, bougainvillea, and other lush flowers was a cool haven for body and mind. Exotic life surrounded us: white, yellow, and blue butterflies; geckos; dragonflies; a huge lizard that poured “rain” on us from the tree above; fluorescent beetles; bees, wasps; scary spiders; snakes.
Bougainvillea flowergirl
Where is the rain coming from with skies of blue?
The Iguana, now grounded, poured “rain” on us from high atop a tree
Ian floating in liquid bliss
Ian climbed a coconut tree and served up the refreshing green milk. Later we scooped out the flesh and blended all with guava and pineapple juice for a rum drink.
Sarah quenches a thirst
Vanessa follows suit
Sampling green coconut milk
Too soon we had to move to Casa de los Bobos (house of the monkeys). High up on a hill a Spanish house overlooked the thin blue line of ocean and a lap pool. This was where we spent Christmas among the most beautiful of all flowers.
Casa de los Bobos (house of monkeys)
We settled in to reading, swimming laps, watching movies, making trips back and forth to the beach and into the town for late night snacks off the street carts. It was a place to recognize the beauty of our family: their humor, laughter, gifts, and hearts of gold. Pictures speak louder than words, so the following pictures unfold our time together in a place where sun and sea and tropical fruit and flowers and family strengthened spirit and ties.
Ian and Sarah following the path from Casa de los Bobos to the sea
Sarah swimming laps
Ian shows off new necklace
Ian reaches the end of the lap poolwith faux blue sky a backdrop
Easy rider at rest
Ness is turning rosie
Happy Christmas morning: European pastries, guava juice, tropical fruit and coffee
Christmas morning brunch
Fruit of all fruits: papaya and pineapple with lime
Showing off Ian’s gift to dad: a bracelet to match his
Sarah quietly gives thanks for nourishment of body and soul
Sarah and Ian prepare hors de oeuvres
A delectable result
A yellow butterfly alights on Bougainvillea: one of many white, blue and yellow
Morning glories in all their absolute translucent delicacy
The exotic flower of the banana tree
The bud and flower of an unknown creeper
A moth alights the tip of varied-coloured leaves
Gorgeous intricacy of garden flowers
The ginger flower shadows
A cross in a silent garden space
Vanessa in Bridge pose on the beach
Headstand throws my horizon off
Vanessa strikes a final pose after beach yoga. Yay! My butterfly girl
Sisters relax on the beach
Ness found the sculpture of the unknown beach artist
Russ taking it all in
Sarah and Madre share a refreshing pineapple-orange-ice drink
Ness rides one in
Ian arrives by sea kayak
Sarah drinks the beach scene in: an absolutely perfect day
Last day of surfing: I’ve got to come back to this place
Fish tacos for hungry Ness
Waiting for tacos off the night cart
Russ has his
Night out for margaritas at the Buddah Club: music mixing included
Ness dancing with Rodriquez from Mexico City
Ian and Mira, the young Austrian beauty, taking a rest from dancing
Gonzo took an eye altering shot of tequila! He’s on holiday from Mexico City
Morning after the late night before the girls still sleep
A series of sunsets at Sayulita
Father and son after the last catch of the day
Silhouetted palm trees
Our walks on the beach end as the last Sayulita sun sets for us
So many days of fun in the sun and nights of revelrie and sampling Mexican food off street carts. Fine dining. Cold beers. Swimming in the sea and pools. Long beach walks. Fresh fish from the fishing boats. Lush and exotic plant life. Laughter. Celebration. Giving of gifts. Saying goodbye until we meet again in southern or western waters beyond.
We will resume our sailing journey from Sausalito, California and slowly head south to Monterey Bay and beyond around the week of January 5. The waters and breezes of Mexico have refreshed us and beckon us. We are ready to respond to the call. May the sun shine on the winter seas and the northwest winds be gentle with following seas. May Zulu once again prove her mettle.
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1 comment:
Oh, how I wish we could have been there with you! We had snow instead! Brrr!
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