Cancun!!!

Cancun has been a wild ride since I arrived... actually, from the time I left my place in GDL it's been a wild ride....in both good and bad ways... and in many ways a learning experience about myself which isn't always easy.

My trip started off with my Uber driver extremely excited my Birthday was in a few days and he played me Happy Birthday in Spanish and sang as well.  It was definitely a ride to remember....however my check-in wasn't as great. 

I was unable to fit my bottle of tequila and honey agave in my backpack....I was worried about the weight and I couldn't zip it up so I just put them in a bag and was going to take them on the plane.  Why not right? I am flying internally, but nope, the bottles were too big (even though sealed).  They said I could pay to check an extra bag... $70!!!!  I didn't even spend that much on the tequila, so now the check-in desk has a nice bottle of tequila and some agave honey...ughhh.  I was annoyed but much worse has happened on this trip so I wasn't about to cry over spilled milk.  Besides, there was a Starbucks at my gate which made everything better.

The flight wasn't bad except I had a window seat which is not something I like for take-off.  We all know I don't fly well and I usually take an isle seat so I was very stressed out during take-off.  However,  once we got up and over the clouds it was like a different world.  A world of clouds, it was quite beautiful.  It literally looked like something out of a fairy tale.  Mountains, snow, caves....I couldn't stop taking pictures.  So yes, I did enjoy my window seat.

Cancun!!! It definitely welcomed me, maybe a little too much lol...my first night was crazy meaning my second day was a hangover but I had made a new friend so I wasn't really fussed over it.

We did a day trip to the beach with the hostel which was quite nice.   The water is really blue here however it's been the worst year for seaweed and it is quite gross so going for a nice swim wasn't really an option (for me anyways).    I wanted to work on my tan considering my burn from Sayulita had finally gone away  so I quite enjoyed just sitting in the sun.  There was a group of us and we had beer and music so it was a nice relaxing afternoon.  There was a family off to the right of us who had buried their young sun to look like a mermaid, he had breasts and a penis sticking straight up... I
thought it was hilarious and asked if I could take a picture.  A few minutes later they called me back over as they had taken some seaweed to give him hair as well as pubic hair.  The father jokingly told me to sit on "it"  I laughed and so no thank you so he did instead....I know it sounds rude but omg it was so funny.

Birthday plans were already in the works.   Tuesday (the day before my birthday) we were going on paddle boarding and then there was gonna be a pool party as it was mine and my dorm-mates birthday - they are not allowed to throw pool parties anymore but I had become friends with the staff quite quickly so they made it happen.  Then the next day we were going on a catamaran tour with  lunch, open bar and snorkeling on Isla Mujeres at the Underwater Museum.  It was gonna be great!

The paddle boarding was nice, it was really chill and we got to hang out at a lagoon which was really

nice.  My feet however got very sore.  You really have to use your ankle muscles and with my foot still not 100%  they were quite sore when we got back on our boards to return.

The pool party was a lot of fun, we played beer pong and had the craziest game of Jenga I have ever seen.  They made mini-cakes for Jordan (my roommate) and I out of whip cream and the candle was a straw and a napkin sticking out of the top.  I threw the whole plate in Jordan's face and then he got thrown in the pool but so did I.  Unfortunately there was a complaint about the party which I feel bad about but I am very grateful they risked it for us.

The plan was to go to Senor Frogs (wanted to relive my college days hahaha) but the guys met girls and decided very last minute that they were gonna bail on me.  I wasn't too pleased to be honest, we had been planning this for two days but, Jordan was going out with his buddy Chris and they were more than happy to have me join.  It was insane!

You pay a cover charge at the clubs but it's open bar so the drinks are endless.  Every time the waiter brought over our drinks and shots Jordan would say "uno mas."  We were giving shots away.  We then of course ended up at a strip club.... I touched some boobies hahahaha and that is all I will say as we were pretty wasted by then and just remember waking up and realizing we were already supposed to leave for the tour.  Actually, front desk had woken me up but I was still pretty drunk and I thought they were waking me up to go to another bar so I rolled over and went back to sleep.  So when I did wake up and realized I was late, a big turn of events began to take place. 

The first thing was my credit card and debit card....gone!  I couldn't find them, everything was in my purse except my credit cards. Then I found my friends and freaked out asking why they hadn't woken me up as we were supposed to be gone already and basically just lost it - hungover and stressed out are not a great mix.

Well after this it really changed things, it completely put a damper on things and to top it off...we were given the wrong bus stop so we actually missed the tour so the decision was to go to the beach...however it wasn't my decision...nobody even asked me if I wanted to go... not even "hey we were doing this for your birthday what are you up for?"  it was "your a big girl you can find your way back!"  So we went to the beach and I slept in the chair for a few hours.  We were there most of the day, it wasn't much fun for me to be honest and no one even wished me Happy Birthday until I mentioned it.  I had never felt so alone on my birthday. 

When we got back to the hostel I just wanted to cry, I felt like shit, I was sad and I had no idea where my cards were so I had no access to money.  I had a bit of a break down with Lara.

Lara is this wonderful woman who does not even look close to her age but I called her Mama Lara and every time we went somewhere she always made sure we had sunscreen, money and that we stayed with the group and said she would see us when we got home.

We had a long talk that night.  She really  made me see some thins that I hadn't really acknowledged about myself and other things that I push to the side.  When coming to a personal realization it is not always easy but it was needed and this is when I decided to have Emmie down time.  Stop being so go, go, go ... when I'm like that I can be a have a very strong and intense personality and some times it is too much for others....and honestly...this is something I didn't realize before but as soon as she mentioned it I could totally see it...we talked about more and I cried more but by the next day I was feeling so much better.  However, after our talk finding my cards was still at the top of my list.

My anxiety was pretty high at this point, it was 10pm, I had to work in the morning and I still had to go downtown back to the strip club to see if my card was there.  One of the event staff was gonna take me down but couldn't go with me because he could get in trouble so my roommate and his friend offered to take me down and get everything sorted.

Have you ever seen the movie "Dude Where's My Car?" when they go back to the strip club the next day and everyone knows them by name...ya well I experienced that when we walked back in that night.  Every one stopped and looked at us.  The dancer who's boobies I touched was like "hi baby"  I was like OMG get me out of here.  We were talking to the manager and he said to my buddy "you weren't here last night."  I said "yes he was." The manager turned and looked at me and said "oh ya, you were definitely here last night."  Great, I make a name for myself at a strip club...no more alcohol for this lady.  Unfortunately my cards were not there.

The next day after my classes I canceled my cards and then got new ones sent to me but was now stuck in Cancun....so I did exactly what I needed to do.  I relaxed.  I grabbed my music, my Kindle, my favourite couch and just sad poolside for a few days and sat poolside and caught some rays.  The kicker... ten minutes after I canceled my cards I went to my room and started cleaning my area and out pops both my cards!!! Yup!!! They were in between the mattress and the wall down by my feet!  I'm such a dumb ass sometimes.  I called the bank back but once you have canceled them it can't be reversed.  So frustrating.

I was still however without cash.  I still had my tour paid for that I missed,  I could re-book it for another day or get a 50% refund.  I said that I want to do the tour but at the moment I needed the cash and I wanted a full refund as it wasn't my fault that I missed the tour.  A few hours later I was notified that I was getting a full cash refund - not something they usually do but due to my situation they agreed to it.

On the weekend two of the staff and I were going surfing but one decided not to go so just two of us went.  It was a beautiful beach day...it is so hot in Cancun...the humid X is about 68% and it just seems to get hotter every day...but the seaweed in the water is awful.  This year is the worst it has been.  We found a spot in the water that wasn't too bad but it was still gross and was in my hair when we got out.  We didn't surf as it wasn't a good surfing day but it was perfect to hang out in the water and get some beer from a beach bar and a few shots of mezcal - which I am not a fan of.

Then I randomly ended up in Playa (del Carmen) del Carmen for the night.  A great town, much better than Cancun as here it is all night clubs and everyone speaks English, I've gotten so lazy with speaking Spanish.  It's so touristy here and not Mexico...it's the Las Vegas of Mexico.  Anyways, Playa was great but the beach was shitty, the water looked black because of all the seaweed.  The town is great, it has such a great vibe and its got open bars with live music.  We had dinner at this one place that was playing all 90's music so I had a blast singing and rapping all the songs....yes, I know, big dork hahaha.

One thing I have really realized the past week is the people you expect you are gonna be your friends are the ones you clash with and the ones you least expect, maybe even someone you wanted to avoid becomes a little shining light for you and they are the ones you connect with.  This whole trip (not just Cancun) has been full of surprises, bad and good and each one is making me see things in a different way.

A few days ago I made a new friend named Virginia a woman from France with lots of energy and love to give.  She was going for a massage and offered for me to go with her...I said I didn't have access to my money and she said she would pay, she would love the company and if anything consider it a birthday present.  I accepted - however we are meeting up this weekend so I will be paying her back.

We walked about 10 minutes from the hostel to the Palapas, a big open play area for kids, food vendors and a massage tent.  Okay I thought.  I was looking to see if it looked clean and how professional it was.  Then on of the masseuses came up to where I was sitting and he walked into me and then he felt bad....I realized he was blind.  In fact, all of them were, except one (who ended up being mine) who needed walking canes with the arm holders...this is the only way he can walk.  These guys studied for two years and give the best massages and they charge next to nothing.  1 hour for about $17.50...money well spent and great people to give your money to.  When we were finished there were people from the hostel waiting for their turn.  I'm definitely going to head back there before I leave this weekend.

My bank card finally came in the other day.  It was a big deal for everyone lol.  One of the guys from the front desk came up with his hands behind his back with a huge smile on his face...I jumped for joy and gave him a big hug and a kiss and I promised the front desk drinks after their shift and ended up getting drunk.

I stayed at a friends that night so I had to take the bus back but of course I get off at the wrong stop...a 20 minute walk from where I needed and running out of time as I had a tour and was determined not to miss it.  I called the hostel and found out where I had to go but was confused because my Google Maps was showing for me to turn right and I thought I was supposed to go straight.  I called them back and they told me to get a cab and then they had to give the driver directions.... I was literally around the corner.  Then Justine, the one running the tour is messaging me "where are you?"   "I"m coming!"  I made it :)

I was going to a Cenote and was really looking forward to it as I hadn't been to one yet since I have been in Mexico.  It was about an hour out and I was hungover and wasn't in the mood for a tour but knew a swim in the fresh water of the Cenote would help.

As soon as we got out of the van there was a monkey...there were actually three of them.  The mother, the older sister and the baby.   This older sister came right up to us and even climbed right up on Justine.  We could pet them and take pictures with them...they were so cute and they also wanted our snacks in the cooler hahaha.

The Cenote was beautiful.  A round natural fresh water pool surround on all sides by a rock wall and lots of green trees with a clear as day reflection in it.

I was a little hesitant to get in at first, I don't know why I guess I find them a little eerie, but that all changed once I got in.  I was the only one from my hostel (they own three) but the people from the other hostel were quite friendly and I had a great time.  I even went on the zip line that drops you into the Cenote.  It of course took me awhile as we all know me with heights is challenging but I ended up doing it twice.  You drop quite deep into the Cenote and I got water up my nose and in my ear and had to pull my bathing suit top back into place lol.  The guys from the hostel were jumping of the edge doing all sorts of different jumps and dives making everyone laugh.

One thing you don't realize with the zip line is it only goes so far and once you get to the length it pulls back quite abruptly so one of the guys was gonna try and hold on but it literally has so much for he was thrown into a back flip off... it was very entertaining.

Now it is Thursday and I have a few more days here before I take off to a new spot.  I am excited to leave but sad as well.  I have become friends with the staff and feel like I am home,  I could stay here and volunteer but I do need to come home soon and would like to see a few more places before I leave.

I am feeling really great these days and am so glad I took a week of down time ... I had no choice but as always, things happen for a reason. To be honest this is the first time on a trip I have spent so much time alone and I am okay with it..if feels good just to relax and take a breath.

 I am still waiting for my credit card but they will hold it here for me until I come back - for two days before I fly home.  It's hot, and beautiful and I have never had such an amazing tan in my life. My hair is barely straight anymore and it is sun bleached but I'm happy and that is all that matters.  Until next time....besos x

                                                                   - Mi Vida Hermosa -

5 Feathers 4 Days

I returned from Puerto Vallarta feeling a little weird.  After being in a hostel for 10 days and coming back to my shared house it just felt weird.  Don't get me wrong.  I love my place but I really loved being in a hostel and meeting people constantly...it felt a little quiet being back.  If I hadn't have left my stuff or paid my rent I probably wouldn't have come back...but, I also had a tour planned with Pepe.

We were going to the Guachimontones. Now...I don't want to stop anyone from going there as they are interesting to see, but,  if I'm being honest, I found them to be underwhelming and I think Pepe did as well.

They are set just above a town called Teuchitlan.  Our guide was allowed to drive us all the way up to the top of the hill because of my ankle.  It is much better but it does hurt and walking up hill would've definitely made it angry.

Our driver dropped us off and we walked towards the round pyramids.  "Umm Pepe," I whispered. "Estan muy chico," and we both started to giggle.  There was one round pyramid in the centre and smaller stone structures surrounding the whole area.  The information signs only really said how it was built but no information on the Guachimontones themselves.  From what I gathered... it was a small community and there were underground tunnels to get from one building to the next.  The big one in the middle was a temple.  

When we were walking down one of the structures I heard something ... Pepe had knocked one of the lose rocks on the stairs out of place.  We looked at each other and started giggling - he is always laughing.  "Shhhh" I said bringing my index finger to my mouth and pushed it back into place. "Pepe, cuidado."  He then helped me down the rest of the way as stairs are still challenging sometimes with my foot.

Just as we got to the bottom a guy said "excuse me" in English which is not common in this area. "If you would like my number.......you can hire me and I can translate for you and your friend."  "Thank you but we are actually housemates and have been friends for awhile.  I get to practice my Spanish with him." I explained to Pepe what the guy had said and he thought it was funny that the guy offered me his number and started to laugh.  I looked back at the guy and said "I had thought you were trying to give me your number at first," which was true.  We laughed and that was it.

After a half hour we called our guide to pick us up.  No one signed up for the tour so they sent a cab to pick us up and give us a private tour for the day.  When a cab showed up at our house I didn't know why and started babbling to Pepe in English.  "Emmie!"  he said.  "Ah shit, lo siento Pepe." Totally forgetting he doesn't speak English and that I needed to think in Spanish when I'm with him lol.

On our way out of the National Park we saw that there were more ruins along the side of the hill we would've had to walk up.  We were told it would've been a lot better had we of hired a guide but there is no way I would've been able to walk up the hill comfortably.

Our driver took us to a little shop where the owner showed us some original artifacts from the Guachimontones which were really awesome...he told us the replicas were in the museum. (Yes all in Spanish)

We went for a drive and saw a small agave field and went up to the mirador (lookout) to take some pictures of the Guachimontones which was really beautiful.

As Pepe and I were walking back to the car the driver pulls away and waves out the window "Adios" he says.  We start laughing and I look at Pepe and say "ah, Mexicano's" he starts laughing even harder.   When we got in the cab - who had only been turning the car around - Pepe had told him my remark and the cab driver starts speaking to me in Spanish.  Pepe is laughing .... I thought I understood him but wasn't sure... he got out of the car to demonstrate.  Yup just what I thought...he was telling me I could hitch- hike back.... we were all laughing. "Por que," I said "no quiero."  (Why, I dont want to).

Our last stop was lunch at a little local market.  I love traditional Mexican food it is so yummy, I had two tacos and some other thing that I can't remember the name and a large agua fresca...everything for under $3 CAD.  The prices here are better too.

That was pretty much the end of the Guachimontones but always a good day with Pepe - I will miss my buddy.

My last 4 days in GDL:

On Monday a friend from the hostel in Puerto Vallarta was coming to GDL for a few days and I was excited.  His hostel was a 15 minute walk up the road so we met halfway and went back to his hostel for a beer and then headed out to Chepultapec as he wanted to check out the other location of the hostel.

Chepultapec is where all the bars are...I hadn't been there yet so I was happy to be going but the walk took forever.  It was a 40 minute walk which I didn't mind as I got to see parts of GDL I hadn't seen but it's still a challenge with my foot and I don't really use my cane anymore.

After we checked out the hostel we decided to go for a beer and that is when it all started or should I say ended?  After the first place we decided to switch locations.

Its really awesome there.  There are so many bars and there are so many people and along the island in the middle of the road there are people taking Latin dancing lessons.  We found a spot on a patio where we could watch....this was a dangerous idea.  Two for the price of one vodkas....I'm in heaven.  We both got pretty bombed but you can get bombed in GDL for super cheap.  Four vodkas and two beers for $16 CAD ... even if it wasn't 2-for-1 it was still pretty cheap.

By the time we got back to Seph's hostel we were pretty wasted...however, 3 guys that had been at the hostel in Puerto Vallarta were there so we ended up drinking with them...I wasn't doing too great the next morning and the plan was to go to Lucha Libre in the evening.

What is Lucha Libre you ask?  The Mexican version of WWF... or you can just watch Nacho Libre.  It was a blast!!!   I didn't even know where to look, there was so much going.  There was the fighting in the ring, between crotch kicks, boob smacks, a midget wrestling, hair being cut and the heckling and beer tossing it was easy to miss something.

The heckling:

If you are on the lower level (which we weren't) you are in the rich part and if you are in the upper seats (which is where we were) you are considered poor.  There are chants that each part does back and forth throughout the whole night ... now its not very nice what they say but you obviously yell back - all in good fun of course, you are not allowed to get mad - and just get into the whole experience.  Beer gets thrown too.  One of the wrestlers went into the lower part and made a guy chug his beer and gets the crowd going.

The wrestling:

To be honest I had no idea what was going on.  They were in teams but I had no idea who was on what team.  You now it's fake some of it made you cringe. The costumes were awesome and yes they where masks.

Now, from I was told...if your mask is taken off in a fight you are done and if your long hair is cut off you are done and the cutting of a fighters hair did happen when we were there and the crowd just goes crazy.

There is probably so much more that I am missing but as I said it was hard to keep up.

At one point the group of Mexicans beside us as Colby (one of the guys) and I to take a group photo with them.  We were like "ya sure why not!"  Hahaha we went to smile and all we see is a porn video on the camera and we all started laughing.... "yaya," I said "get the gringos."  

As we were walking down the stairs out of the auditorium after the event we heard music. In the entrance to the building there was a band and everyone was just dancing so we went over and joined in the fun - though I had to be careful because my foot almost got trampled on.

Then our whole group - we were on an outing with the hostel - was being taken to a club so we hopped in two Ubers. Marriachi's started chasing the car.  Apparently they try to stop you so you will pay them to play songs.

There is so much Guadalajara that I missed out on my first weeks here because of my injury.  There is always so much going on and it's amazing... I'm so glad I got to experience a lot of it this week.

The night club was fun but we all decided to go back pretty early and call it a night... I was home and in bed just after two.

The next day I didn't do much, I just relaxed and vegged out and went to my last Spanish class, but was waiting to hear back from Seph as we were planning dinner and the others (Cam, Colby and Pascal) were all in Tlaquepaque so I was waiting for everyone to get back.

I met one of my new housemates who is also an online teacher so we were exchanging stories about students and our experiences.  It was really cool to meet another teacher who is doing what I am doing.  Actually, almost everyone in the house is new as the others moved out when I was in the beach.  If I was staying I could see myself getting to know this group better than the other group.  It was hard to bond a lot with the others as I was bed ridden most of the time and they didn't really speak English.   Bea and Ashley even cooked up a wonderful goodbye meal for me which I am very grateful for.

Seph really wanted to see a Mariachi band so we were going to walk to Los Plaza del Mariachi.   GDL gets really sketchy at night.  The streets are empty, they look dirty and the night walkers come

out.  It was fine as there was 5 of us but it was still sketchy.  We followed the directions on Google Maps.  We ended up in a dark open area of a back road that had one street food vendor and a bunch of Mariachis.  "Well it looks like the Mariachis are the crack dealers at night." We all laugh.  "I'm good, we can leave," said Seph and that was the end of that.  

Now I am getting hungry I still hadn't eaten dinner and it was after 11pm and I had to work in the morning plus I had signed up for the Tequila Tour with the guys...yup thats right a second one.  We ended up at La Chata a well known restaurant, a little pricey but a good meal.  

Our waiter was Poncho who was fantastic or should I say EXCELENTE!  

I was ordering in Spanish and he said excelente....I thought he was just complimenting me on my Spanish and was feeling great about how good it was getting.  Turns out he just says excelente to everything even if you just order a Coca Cola ahahaha...my Spanish has improved though.

We had an excelente time and even celebrated a birthday with one of the French guys with us.

Late dinner means no sleep for this girl.  I didn't sleep till after 2am and had to be up for work and then go to the tour... I was exhausted but napped on the way to the tequilera.

It was very different than the last tour.  Only one tequilera this time so not as many samples or drunk people and this was a coach bus not a van.  Our guide on the bus was Rosie who spoke English and Spanish but as she was speaking Spanish, Cam asked me "do you understand what she is saying?" and I told him. "Do you understand more than you did on the last tour?"  OMG I totally did!!! Wow, I don't really notice it but its an every day thing now.  My grammar is better and the speaking doesn't seem as fast now,  maybe I'm used to it or understand more, I dont know but it's awesome and I like to speak Spanish when I can.  It's a great feeling and something I am proud of that I have done and promised I would do. So a high five to myself.

We were put into groups.  Me and the guys were the only ones with the English guide....this was great because I got to really understand the making of tequila this time and it's awesome.  

We were at the 3 Mujeres tequilera ( 3 Women) and they make orgnaic tequila.  The tequila we drink at home is filled with chemicals as they mass produce it.  Chemicals are used to grow the agave plants so they can push out the tequila faster.  Also, tequila with the worm is actually mescal, a different plant, its not the blue agave plant that tequila is made from.  The plant mescal is made from has worms crawling around it which is a good thing but for the blue agave it is not a good thing.  The process of tequila is incredible and really makes me appreciate it a lot more.

After sampling we all bought a tequila cocktail and enjoyed the Mariachi band which Seph was pretty stoked about...he got a tequila tour and a mariachi band in one go....what a lucky guy :)

They played a very well known song in Mexico.  I can't remember who but some man (many years ago) of power had a wife that didn't love him so he hired a mariachi band to write a song for her which says she will not be happy without him .... something like that anyways.

After this we were taken somewhere for lunch.  It was a buffet lunch but it was pricey and we weren't that hungry so we all ordered our own thing as well as drinks.  I had the biggest margarita of my life but was yummy AF.  We were then taken to Tequila Town where we had an hour.  I had no idea it was a UNESCO site.  We wandered around, got drinks, took pictures and watch this crazy pole thing.  Where they spin around upside down while a guy plays music at the top... it was super cool but definitely looked scary.

It was then home time. I slept ... I was so tired as I was running on no sleep and the guys had kept me pretty busy the past three days but it was also the last day as we were all splitting off.   Seph was leaving the next day for Puerto Vallarta as his flight home to Toronto is Saturday and Cam, Colby and Pascal were taking a night bus to MXC (Mexico City) and I was leaving for Cancun in two days.

I was a bit sad.  I haven't done a trip like this in three years and forgot why I love to travel so much.  It's not just about where you go, but the culture, the language and the people you meet along the way.  As much as I have met others since I have been here these past 3 days with these 4 guys were awesome, they were the feathers that became my crew.  Yes I know...only three days, but three days can seem much longer when traveling.  We all had an absolute blast and I had the opportunity to talk and get to know each of them.  I have never met a group of guys that were all so personable, not one of them arrogant or an asshole... they were totally the type of people I love to meet and travel with but they were all so different and awesome in their own way.  I forgot about the bonds and the friendships that develop over a short period of time when traveling and I love it but it's the goodbyes, I always lose a little bit of my heart when feathers I have floated with float on their own gust.  

I think whats a little harder this time is with everything that I went through last year I am trying not to get an attachment to anyone in any way, but I'm such a caring person that its hard for me to not get some sort of bond with others and feel it in my heart, it's who I am.  Floating with feathers is part of traveling and something I wouldn't change.

I read a really wonderful quote today:  Who you travel with can be more important than your destination.  With all my years experience it is so true, and this week I was reminded of this and am grateful for the memories and new feathers I know out in the world. 

Safe travels.

                                                          - Mi Vida Hermosa -

Bucket List Day - My Special (Hidden) Beach

Have you ever seen a place on T.V. or the internet and thought "I want to go there!" 

Well I have with a few places and have been lucky enough to actually check some of them off my bucket list!

One of these places for me was this fantastic beach I kept seeing pop up on Google and Pinterest.  I didn't know much about it except that it was called Hidden Beach, it was in Mexico and that I wanted to go to this fantastic place.

3 years ago I sat on a bus in Ecuador looking at my buddy Jono's fantastic travel photos. He showed me a picture that blew my mind as it was a place I had only seen on the internet and dreamed of one day going there.  I couldn't believe that someone I knew had actually been there.   Yesterday, I made the journey myself and got to experience the most special beach in the world!  What an incredible place.

I hopped on the bus at 7:30am and took it to the Marina - my first time taking the bus alone in Mexico so I was very proud - and checked in at the tours office. I was so excited... it was bucket list day and today I was hoping to check off a place I had been wanting to cross of my bucket list for 3 years.

It is not guaranteed that you will be able to access the beach due to water conditions and the amount of people per day is capped at 119 people (I think).

The tour started off great! We first saw a sea turtle... well two actually, they were doing the deed, they were actually spooning. We then saw dolphins which was awesome. It was nice that they actually slowed down the boat so we had the opportunity to look and take pictures.

It took about an hour to get out to the Marietas Islands and as I saw the big rock Island begin to come into view in the distance my heart started to race.

When we arrived at the Marietas we had to check in - with the Army I believe - and they told us that we could go into the beach but there wasn't room for everyone on our boat... my heart sank... oh no. I knew this was a possibility but I wanted to go in so bad.

The first part of the tour we were going to snorkel. I was nervous to get into the sea but...no one in my tour group was a diver and many were nervous so it helped...plus we had two guides that went with us. They took us all around the rock island and would tell us when they saw many fish so we could go in the right direction.

It actually wasn't that deep which I liked. It was clear and we could see the bottom. It was nothing like the Great Barrier Reef but it was good and relaxing. I was so happy I bought my waterproof camera before I left. I had it underwater the whole time snapping pictures of some awesome fish... it's really funny when you are like "oh wow those are awesome!" through a snorkel lol. Was we were swimming around I saw something small and clear... I thought it was a piece of plastic and then jellyfish!!! "Shit!" I screamed through my snorkel. "Jellyfish!" and in my panic I grabbed the first person and tried to pull myself away from it but pulling her more towards it. She looked at me "jellyfish!" I said in a panic. She starts panicking and there we are grabbing onto each other trying to swim in the other direction... lol.

There is a current that made it a bit difficult to swim away from it... its actually kind of funny watching the fish just moving with the current. However there isn't a strong undertow so it's not overly difficult to swim around.

Two of the women on our tour got stung... one actually swam through a whole group of them. My plan was to stay as far away from them as possible however I wasn't so lucky...my chin got stung... of course!! I thought it was from having my chin on my life jacket while I was snorkeling but no...it was a jellyfish sting... this is when I found out why they keep vinegar on the boat... it burned like a bitch but it really works. Now I just have little scabs on my chin.

We learned about the birds that inhabit the Marieta's which is why it's a National Park... to preserve the wild life... not the beach. They are important for the nesting, refuge, migration and reproduction for the birds. There are about 92 species of birds ... some are native and some are migratory. The islands are not open every day ... I think only 4 days and of those 4 only 3 days can you access Hidden Beach. The beach didn't become very popular till about 5 years ago when it began to pop up on social media.

After snorkeling, we stopped off at a beach for pictures but I stayed on the boat as my burn is still healing so I wanted to stay on the covered boat... all I wanted to do was get to hidden beach. At this point we had heard that because there wasn't enough room for everyone they were going to go by who booked the tour first... I had booked Monday but didn't know if that meant anything.

When we got back over to the check-in boats we were told only 1 person could go. A couple of people on the boat piped up and said "we vote you to go" talking about me as I had said how long I had been waiting to go. However, it turns out the check-in guards have a humorous side and they were just joking...the whole group would be able to go.

I got nervous... my heart started racing. This was the moment I had been waiting for and I had all these emotions going through me. Would it be what I expected? Would it be better? Would it be worth it? And the swim through the cave ... I wasn't looking forward to it... I was nervous about the swim as the water was a bit rough... would I panic in the water? They gave us helmets for protection in the cave... how often did people hit their heads?

I jumped off the boat. We started swimming...."Owe fuck!!!" I screamed. Another jellyfish, this time on my arm. Christie one of the women that had gotten stung and was very sea sick just looked at me and said "it will go away no lets just swim." We had been holding on to Luis' - our guide - floating device to help us swim but he was now helping someone else. We got to the entrance of the cave ... here we go.

It was hard to swim, sometimes you were literally just staying in one spot but when a wave came in the cave it carried you and it was actually quite fun. I decided to turn on the video on my camera and get the entrance to the beach - I pretended I was walking into Petra (lol no I haven't been but it's on my bucket list) and waiting for that awe of beauty. We made it to the small shore of the beach. I walked out of the water and did a full view of the beach with the camera.

It wasn't what I was expecting... it was much smaller than I thought and I didn't realize from the photos I had seen that the cave took up so much area on the enclosed beach.

It was literally a small little beach wrapped up in a circular stone wall that was maybe 1 or 2 hundred feet high with green grass peeking out over the edges, heaps of sunlight pouring down and one way in and out... the cave..it was perfect!

I was like a kid in a candy store playing in the water and getting rolled around by the extremely strong waves that came in. I actually had to take a moment to myself and shed some tears. I was overwhelmed with excitement and the perfection of this beach. I thought of it as my beach... I felt a connection and knew that I would leave a little piece of me there forever like I did in Machu Picchu. Our group was the only one there for the first little bit so it was great. I looked around and thought how amazing it would be to spend a day there with some friends.... a cooler, some music ... perfection. I didn't want to leave but our time was up.

The waves coming through the cave were getting rough... I was a bit nervous as it did not look inviting. "We count," said Luis our guide. "When this set of waves is finished I will tell you to swim and you swim." Oh boy I thought. I looked back at the beach, goodbye my special beach...I'm glad we finally met.

"Swim!" So we swam as fast as we could hoping to get out before the set of big waves began again. They weren't the big waves that came through but they were definitely higher than the ones when we swam in. Every time one came through we would all duck and the group would go "woahhhh!" As we were all afraid we would hit our heads... it was a bit scary.

We got lunch on our way back which was nice... I was starving. I can't remember how it came up but I had mentioned I got video of us swimming in. "You got video!?!" Said Christie. "Ya, I have a travel blog." "You mean to tell me with everything we did to swim through the cave and make it to the beach you were able to record that?" I am awesome.

Back at the office the girl I almost threw into the jellyfish offered me a ride back to my hostel as I was on her and her girlfriends way to their hotel...score.

I napped for a bit of course and then woke up and went out for my last night in PVR. My buddy and I (he's from Toronto) ended up at this bar called AM Bar. It was empty but rustic looking and really great music. We danced. He pretended to be a water fountain and spit beer at me a few times... lol I was soaked.

I am now back in Guadalajara. It feels weird to be back. I miss PVR and my friends that I met there. I met some really awesome people. We even had Alejandra, the cleaning lady who lives at the hostel who is like every ones mom. She randomly cooks dinner for us and does our laundry. Such a sweet amazing woman. Every hostel needs a hostel mom. Infact... she wan'ts me to teach all of her grandchildren English online and we will be talking about that next week :)

It's cool here tonight. It rained pretty good and the electricity went out at my end of the house so I am sitting next to the kitchen wearing sweat pants and a sweater... how crazy is that... my first time since I have been here. At least I'm not producing sweat just sitting here.

Well it's time for bed. Pepe and I have another tour tomorrow that I am looking forward to so I need to get some rest.

Until next time.

Me at my special beach. A day I will never forget.

- My Beautiful Life -

Beaches!

I was supposed to be in Puerto Vallarta for three days.  It's seven days later and I'm still here lol.  If I didn't have a place in GDL with my stuff there I would stay here.  It's been amazing here.... sunburn and all.

My bus ride was great!  The bus company -Vallarta Plus - has pimp buses.  Big spacious seats, leg room for days, a personal t.v. and free headphones when you get on.  Oh and air conditioning...something I hadn't experienced in the month that I have been here.  I dozed off for a little bit but I was enjoying looking out the window.  The little random towns and shops that we drove by really amaze me... it is so different than Canada and I always try to picture staying in these little towns as I always wonder what they are like.  Even if it is just a few houses and farm land.

I; of course; had a little woman sit beside me who offered to share her fresh papaya with me :)  It was very yummy and I was very thankful as I had not eaten yet.

I had some beers my first night but I ended up passing out around 8 or 9pm.  I did wake up to fireworks around 1am.  It was PVR's (Puerto Vallarta's) 100th Birthday so there was a huge party going on and fireworks.

The next day I wandered around with one of the guys from the hostel. We went to some shops, markets and Senor Frogs for lunch.  I was a little annoyed at the end of the day as he had told me the next place we wanted to go to was only 10 minutes up the road and it was 35... my leg was quite achy by that point and I just wanted to get back and relax.

I end up drinking the the ladies here and then made my way to Zoo (one of the bars) and got pretty drunk.  I was trying to show-off and demonstrate how to drink tequila properly... that didn't go down to well.  No joke, it didn't go down to well ... I had to run to the bathroom very quickly. It literally just didn't go down good. So much for showing off... and yes...I am showing others the secret and still keeping you all in the dark.

The next day I got woken up at ... oh I thought it was 8am but was told it was later.... to go to the beach.  YES!!! One month in Mexico and I was still winter white... the beach is what I had come here for.

Puerto Vallarta is great.  There is the Malecon with shops and restaurants and statues.  The see right beside you.  Palm trees, music, tourists there is so much to see but the beach really isn't that great and isn't overly inviting....however it has been great spending time outside. As well, so many places here have air con ... it's been fantastic.  The hostel doesn't but my bed is in a great spot and I get all three fans pointing at my while I sleep and we keep the window open.  Because we are on the water we have a really nice breeze so I have been sleeping pretty good.

We packed our stuff and headed for Sayulita. It took two buses and a maybe an hour and a half. The bus was hot when we got on it but all the windows were open so as soon as we started moving it was great.  The seats were were really comfortable so I curled up and looked out the window.

Sayulita!!!

Again, Mexico has made me fall in love.  A hippie town with out door patios, markets, people walking around trying to sell you massages, silver, blankets, clothing, food. People rent golf carts to drive around the town which I was down for because of my foot but after walking around for a half hour we found a great spot on the beach.

We went for a walk along the beach and further along it literally looked like there was gold in the sand... it was really beautiful.  I thought of becoming rich but stuffing my bathing suit top but no one else was going crazy over it so I figured it was worth nothing.

I rented a cabana - umbrella, two chairs and a table - and plunked myself down on my seat.  Ahhhh beach, sun and.... wait .... oh here is the waiter  "pina colada por favor."

One pina colada, 13 beers, a pair of earrings and a little stuffed animal purchase, and a sunburn later it was time to leave.  Me being the one with the sunburn.

I was keen to stay... I mean like move all my stuff there and stay but most of my stuff is in GDL.  It's kind of a good thing I have a home base, it keeps me a little more focused.

As we were leaving this guy walked by us with a shrimp skewer.  All day they walk along with these cooked shrimp on a skewer and they looked fantastic.  I looked at one of the guys and said "are you hungry?"  So we split one.  I could've had seven skewers to myself ... it was so yummy.

We ended up grabbing a shuttle back for super cheap and it had air con so it was awesome... I was as red as a lobster hahahaha.

I really loved Sayulita and I could totally see myself staying there for awhile, trying to surf again and enjoying the beach life... I did have two offers for a place to stay hahaha.  Should I do it???

We showered, got ready and went for dinner.  We wandered around for awhile which was really nice.  I hadn't seen the area at night and it was really pretty.  We wanted seafood and Blake (one of the guys I was with) told us about this restaurant called  The Blue Shrimp.  We walked for quite awhile - my foot getting sore - but finally finding it.

This place was right on the beach.  It was open concept so we sat on the outer part so we could look out at the beach which had tables surrounded by torches.   The ambiance was great and the music.... well... the music was great but the singer not so much.

We each ordered a cocktail - me a pina colada. The food was alright- my meal wasn't hot - but to be honest... I have never been to a restaurant like this so I was really just enjoying the experience and being there with good people.

After dinner we walked around and went to ... I think it's called Los Muertos.   It's a craft beer brewery which was quite nice.  Los Muertos sounds morbid, but in Mexico there is a lot surrounding the Day of the Dead and many novelty items of sugar skulls... I actually quite like it.

We - again - ended up at Zoo, except this time it was packed and hot and sweaty.  But there was an event going on with flashing rings, black lights and a guy dressed up walking around on stilts.  It was fun but we didn't stay too long.  We were all quite tired and Jaren  - one of the guys - was flying home the next morning.

When I went to the rooftop patio the next morning I hear "Wow Emmie!!! You have surprised us!!! You are even more red than you were yesterday!!!"   My burn had come out more over night and I looked like a lobster.  I decided a few days out of the sun would be a good idea.

It's been great here.  I experienced for the first time being digital in a hostel and it worked out really well. The staff have been really accommodating and it has all run smoothly.  Honestly... I am enjoying being digital and being able to have a career that I love while still living the travel life... I am really so happy.

I have been to two other beaches this week.  One I don't think has a name....we got off on the side of the road and climbed down over huge rocks (which has in turn upset my foot) down to a golden sand beach.  There was literally no one there except Zack, Jack and I and a local who was fishing for marlin.  He didn't have a pole though, he used a water bottle and a fishing line which I thought was pretty cool.  It was a nice spot and we had a great view of the arches... 2 big rocks out in the water that had boat tours journeying around them.  I stayed on the beach while the guys went swimming.  Zack went swimming and saw jellyfish and a stingray so I thought it best that I just stick to the shoreline.

Today we went to the next beach up from there called Mismaloya... a little resort beach with surf huts, massages, restaurants, and beer service.  I actually went in the water which felt amazing on my burn... I was wearing a 30 spf.  We chilled out in the water surrounded by boats and enjoyed our beer... yes in the water... it's Mexico.

I slept for two hours when we got back and then enjoyed the amazing barbecue the hostel had on the rooftop patio which included beer... it was amazing and filling.

It is now 1am and I am just about to go to bed.  I have my tour to Hidden Beach tomorrow and I am so excited... it's on my bucket list. So good night my awesome readers. Till my next blog.
Los quieros.

                                                                               - My Beautiful Life -