Bob and Jan's Travels: La Penita - January 10-13, 2016

On Sunday, we hung around our place in the morning and went for a quick bite at Hinde's. Kate and Greg arrived around 2 and after settling in, we went to Hinde's for margaritas and tacos. Greg said they were the best margaritas in the world - I concur! We walked around a bit and then went for a rest at our place. Dinner was at Las Brisas - burrito (huge and very tasty), bacon wrapped cheese stuffed shrimp (good but not as good as at Glorietas in La Cruz) and diablo shrimp (spicy sauce) and of course some margaritas. In bed early.

On Monday, we got up and Kate taught us some yoga on the beach. We then walked to Guayabitos and back with a stop at the market and for lunch - we walked about 3-4 hours. We stopped at Hinde's for margaritas on the way back - we earned them today. Great day. Bob and Linda (our hosts at Casita de la Penita) arranged for the everyone staying to go to Mr. Ribs for dinner - I think there were 18 of us. Ribs, margaritas and tequila were plentiful - they actually just put a bottles of tequila on the table for everyone. Greg had several margaritas and shots of tequila and decided to climb the brass pole in the middle of the restaurant - if you ring the bell, you get a large shot of good tequila. He completed the task only to be upstaged by Ann, an 80 year old from Comox, BC.

On Tuesday, we took a taxi up to JEEP - Jaltemba Equine Education Project - in the hills of La Penita (not far from Winnie and Bill's place). George and Loretta started the project after rescuing 8 horses near death about 4 years ago (6 remain at the project today). They have expanded to dogs and cats as well. Lyndsay (their Granddaughter) showed us around and was a great source of info on each and every animal there - they all have names. The latest addition was a mangy shepherd cross who was used as a bait dog to train fighting dogs - he had his teeth filed so he could not bite back - so sad but after a short time at the project is a very happy dog and not afraid and romping around. They do great work here. We walked down the hill and stopped for breakfast at a small little place on the highway - no English spoken here - we muddled through and got huevos rancheros, quesadillas, toast, tortillas, guacamole and chips (not even on the menu - when we asked they said no, but we saw one of them go and and come back with some avocados), and fresh squeezed orange juice. The total bill was 245 pesos (about $22). Robyn and Scott arrived around 1 pm and after settling in, we went to ______________ (you fill in the blank) - Hinde's of course. Margaritas and tacos! We came back and went to the beach and played in the big waves for about an hour - we even got Greg in who is not a big fan of the water. Dinner was at Avanti - excellent! The total bill for six of us for drinks and food - $90.

On Wednesday, Greg made eggs for everyone for breakfast and then we ventured to have a look at the condo we are considering buying. On the way back, we stopped at Chasite for coffee and Robyn had a BLT. Then we ventured to Sayulita (known for being a surfing town with a hip cool vibe) for the day. A taxi would cost 500 pesos, so we decided to take the bus (cost 300 pesos) - we thought the bus would be cheaper - the taxi would have been a better option as the bus dropped us off on the highway and we walked 3 km into town (oh well, a little exercise is good). We stopped a Choco Banana for a chocolate covered frozen banana with coconut sprinkles (a must have in Sayulita). We wandered around an increasingly busy Sayulita - it gets busier each time we go there. We had lunch at Captain Pablos - chile relleno, fajitas, coconut shrimp and margaritas. We wandered around a bit (and stopped for another frozen banana) and then Jan, Robyn, Scott and I caught a taxi back - Greg and Kate wanted to wander a little more. Scott and I went to the beach - Kate and Greg joined us on their return. Dinner was at Xaltemba but Greg did not join us as he was not feeling great. It was a great dinner and Scott (not ours) was playing music - Rod Stewart, Joe Cocker like songs with a jazz twist. Early night - exhausted.