Day 57: Going Home

Janet making sure Glen goes home to Sue

Today is the day we fly home, but since we only leave in the evening we had a whole day here first. We also had arranged for a late checkout at 3:30 so after we packed up our bags we headed down to take out a couple of paddle boards one last time.

The ocean was still very choppy but we were determined. However neither of us could catch our balance enough to stand up, so we paddle out to the anchored boat in the bay on our knees, and then called it quits. Had a last breakfast at Panino's of bacon and egg on a baguette and a soy latte.

Afterwards we lounged reading by the pool and worked on our tans until it was time for Jorge to pick us up and take us to the bus for the airport. We had been told to allow three hours at the airport, so we arrived at 5pm for our 7:45pm flight only to find the place empty. We checked in without any delay and spent the last of our pesos at the bar.

The flight was on time and arrived at Vancouver just before midnight. We cleared customs quickly and walked out into the freezing weather that Vancouver has been experiencing. What an incredible shock to the system!

We picked up Janet's car from the long-term parking and she dropped me off at home around 1:30am.

Day 53: More Paddling

This is what I wish I looked like on the board

We decided to rent some real paddle boards instead of the soft beginner ones, and got them from Stand Up  Sayulita, a great new store just up from the beach.

They have expanded to use the land behind the Iguana Tree Sanctuary and have planted grass and created a smoothie bar. The staff are happy to help carry the boards to the beach for us.

We both got up on the new boards and controlled them way better than last time, and before we knew it we had blasted past the anchored boat and headed left towards Muerto beach ... and beyond.

This is a lot of fun, and an incredible whole-body workout. By the time we had paddled back we were done, and ready for one of the incredible smoothies while watching the iguanas play in the tree.

Familia Veryka

Decided to enjoy our incredible private pool for the afternoon, and in the evening we had dinner at Don Chow's and listened to a fantastic sort of Reggae Jazz fusion band called Familia Veryka jamming some wonderful music.

The music drew people and by the time they ended the place was packed.

Day 51: Stand Up Paddle Boarding

Today we decided to try stand up paddle boarding. Figured it might be easier to learn to balance once we were beyond the waves. We rented two large soft boards from Patricia's and with only a few minutes of instruction we walked the boards to the easier left side of the bay, and pushed our boards through the surf.

These are quite a bit longer and wider then a regular surfboard and it is a struggle getting them out past the waves, if the board is not exactly perpendicular to the wave it easily snaps sideways and flips over onto you. But out past the waves it is stable and easy to jump onto and sit or kneel. Standing up is another thing altogether. But the water is warm so falling off is not a problem.

Gradually we learned to stay standing, and once we got going it was fun. There was a boat anchored in the bay beyond the waves, and we made it our mission to go around the boat before we called it quits for the day and headed back to shore. Getting in past the waves is tricky as the board is harder to control than a regular surfboard, and even kneeling I wiped out. Unfortunately I didn't get any photos as I did't want to leave my camera on the beach, but Joanna from the boat trip yesterday spotted us and snapped this photo of us at the end of our paddle.

Dinner with the two families we met on the boat trip

Yesterday we arranged to meet the two families we met on the boat trip yesterday in the main square at 4 o'clock. Luz showed up in their car, and we went to get some chicken from the ladies on the street while Janet walked up the hill with the rest of them.

Joe and Joanne are from Ontario with their three girls, and Chris and Luz are from Guadalajara with their two girls.