Hiking to the pools of the arroyo

Today was my last full day in La Manzanilla. Sam organized for a friend of hers to take us on a hike up the arroyo (my second such hike on this trip!) to see the waterfall and swim in the pools. We met at 10 am under the bridge and started the walk up the dry riverbed. Nancy and her little dog came along as well. These women are part of the group of gringos I spoke of earlier that have made a nice life for themselves here in Mexico at least 6 months of the year. Nancy provides a palapa space for massage, yoga and spiritual workshops etc.

These tree houses seem to be abandoned but whomever built them did a great job on them. I think my kids would love them!

This tree was full of vultures- see the next photo! I'm not sure what they were waiting for but I hope it wasn't a bad omen about what we were about to experience on this hike.

This tree looks completely dead and dried out except for these lovely vibrant green gourds hanging from them.

Hiking in the jungle has got to be one of my favourite things to do. Lovely palms of all sorts, beautiful vines, and unusual flora and fauna.

Not too far up the totally dry riverbed we find water and LOTS of it! It's about 28 degrees already at 10:45 am so the cool water feels great.

Hey! Jan, Sue and Linda have arrived as well.

We all bathe in the second pool which is at least 6 feet deep in spots. Small fish swim about.

Hiking with women in their 70's is a humbling experience. I can't believe I bothered with a swimsuit. Am I a prude or what? One of these women had a breast removed due to cancer just a short time ago but is not concerned about it in the slightest. What a great experience it was to be with them.

Like lizards we sunned ourselves until it was time to walk home.

Like magic the water disappears as quickly as it appeared.

I can see the house I live in from the riverbed! It's  the one on the far right with the all white one behind it and the yellow one beside it on the left.

We all return to the start point and agree to meet at Pedro's for fish tacos and beer for lunch. I love this country!

Pedro and I discuss what type of beer we should have and what kind of fish he bought from the fishermen this morning. Today we will have flounder on our tacos.

Linda is a really beautiful human being. Her tree house, her art classes, her love of life and her compassion for others are truly inspirational. Besides that, she seems to dance with every step she takes. I will miss you all. Thanks for taking such good care of me and welcoming me into your very special community.

~Liz

Infinity pools, volunteering and and a solo trip to Barra de Navidad

Rusty ( the architect) and his wife, Julie have built themselves a heavenly house just up from the centre of town. Rusty offered to show us his gem of a house complete with infinity pool, orchid garden and one of the best views in town. Too bad the new disco is just down the hill and keeps both he and his wife up all night.

Rusty drove us around town in his old jeep showing us a few of the other places he designed and built. Dave- in the photo below- had his daughter in Linda's art school which we all volunteered at for a few hours this morning.

Linda offers free art classes to English and Spanish speaking kids at her tree house every Saturday from 11-1pm. I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to volunteer. Thanks Linda!

Pony ride on the beach?

Liz, Jan, Linda and Sam enjoy Tacos el Pastor at the plaza. It's Easter Sunday and the place is packed. Fireworks are being let off every few minutes behind the church apparently symbolizing Christs resurrection. 

We love the Mexican drive through! This truck pulled up to the food stall and the driver ordered  hot dogs wrapped in a tortilla with fresh made potato chips without ever leaving his front seat.

David drove me into Melaque the next day and I walked the beach from there to Barra de Navidad just a few kms away. We had camped on this beach in 2009 but I never did the walk between the two places. This is the approach to Barra and I had a great day there shopping, eating and just soaking up the culture!

Mango is served on a stick and drizzled with lime juice and a sprinkling of chill powder.. I like them just plain.

 All along the malecon Mexican families are celebrating Semana Santa.

My lunch of seafood soup! 1/2 a lobster, shrimp, scallops, white fish and octopus.

I treated myself to a song by this fellow who was one of the better beach musicians I have ever heard.

I hooked up with David again quite by accident and he gave me a lift home again. On the way we stopped for a cervesa at Cuastecomates A beautiful beach- aren't they all? between Melaque and La Manzanilla.

Back home the girls had gathered for mango margueritas at our place. Taco the dog was frightened of the constant bang of fireworks so prefers to shiver on David's shoulder.

" Dream it, plan it, do it " I went all the way to Barra to buy this sign made from old Mexican license plates.

 Too many of these drinks and one of us might pitch right off the edge of our patio into the abyss.

Kings Restaurant ( in Calgary) "Heavenly Hot Sauce" marinated gigantic shrimp! yum- thanks David.

Thanks David for inviting us to your great place!

~liz

Lady friends in La Manzanilla- the first few days!

Sam ( Sandra ) and I met at an orphanage in Mexico in 2009 when Remy, the boys and I were on our Big Trip. She was working her way to South America from Calgary with her then boyfriend. They were on a 2 year journey in a camper van similar to ours! We were fast friends and have been in touch ever since that great day. Sam is still travelling- this is her 4th year and just happens to be in Mexico. I changed my travel plans with Remy and the boys so I could include a week in La Manzanilla to visit her. The gringo community here is very tight and consists mostly of retired women ( a few wandering men as well) who all have a different story and have different reasons for living here. Sam has spent about 6 months here and in that time has met some amazing women who welcomed me into their community in an instant! This photo is Sam and I having Pedro's delicious fish tacos under the shade of the trees.  13 pesos each ( about $ 1.20) for some of the best and cheapest I have had on this trip.Pedro spent some time in California and brought the "food truck" idea to this small town which is what his tacos get served from.

Fiesta Mexicana was our next stop to meet the ladies, see the ocean and enjoy 2 for one margaritas for "Happy Hour"

Linda, Sam, Jan and Sue. Linda lives here full time, the others are here 6 months or less.

It's Semana Santa so the Mexicans are at the beach for the biggest, noisiest holiday of the year. Some travel with trombones, trumpets and drums! Scenes like these are very common. The plaza in every beach town in the country is set up like a midway with rides, carnival games and loads of food stalls of every description. La Manzanilla is no exception.

Another common sight is the painting of ceramic doodlybobs. That isn't the official name but I'm not sure what else to call them! People of all ages pick their  white piece and spend hours painting it in the street. I remember participating in this with Bowen when we were here last.

My first morning me and the gals boarded the 8:30am bus to Barra de Navidad. It's a beautiful town about 45 minutes down the coast. The market was on which was a good enough reason for us to go!

Jan, from Turner Valley, had friends living in one of the beautiful houses along the canal in Barra so we went for a quick visit. We mostly oohed and awed at their beautiful house.

 Linda sees the beauty and fun in everything. She borrowed this sign from a shop owner for some fun photos.

I loved this shot of the family selling their beaded works in the street.

 Here is Sam at the front gate to the house I am lucky enough to stay in while I am here. It site high up on the hill which provides a great view right from my bed! David, the owner lives half his life here in this house he built 7 years ago and the other half in Whiterock, BC. He lives on the top floor and Sam and I live on the middle floor.

Our kitchen is open to the view and the vitamin whips up a mean marguerita!

David and the view from the kitchen.

The kitchen is a great place to hang out!

Linda lives in a tree house! She jumped at the suggestion to have a dinner party at her house. All the gals brought something to eat and drink and her neighbour, Al, joined us as well.

As you can see the tree goes all the way through the middle of her place. Hurricane season is a little hectic but the rest of the year it's a pretty cool place to be.

Sam made pesto from a pillow sized bag of basil that was gifted to her. Liz made avocado and mango salad and Sue made a beet salad. What a fun night with new friends. I don't know what I ever did in my life to deserve such great people and opportunities for adventure but I'm very happy to be here.

~Liz