Four week checkpoint....

Well, its hard to believe we've crested the four week point with only two left to go. That said, however, I think it'll be really cool to introduce my brother and sister in law to our little secret here.

The days melt into each other and I'd have to second LadyM's opinion that the trips do just keep getting longer and longer. I've not met many 40 year olds that hang out for 6 weeks here but I agree with Tally Ho that "if you love it you'll find a way to do it." I guess my wife and I are very lucky to have found a way to do it!
It's hard to write a report thats as detailed as some of the other posters because day to day seems to be a repeat while never actually being the same.
After treating my dad to a week here at the start he went home and mi espousa arrived. It was funny how when she arrived she brought the stress and time table of what where and when ith her. After a week that disappeared and now the big question is what day is it and where are we eating? Pretty easy right? Nope, far too many good choices for food here! As one closes in on the final days you have the struggle of figuring out what your top 10 are. I think I know but every so often a new one quickly rises to the top.

Chendo's, Lety's Coco Bahia, Il Mare, Papa Loca, Daniels, Cafe Marina, Chuleto, Arcadia, El Manglar, Paty's , Jungle Pizza, Nardo's, Salvadore, Vija del Captain, Hamburger God, La Bella Vita, Agave, El Mirador, well you get the point, sorry if I missed any which I know I did! Every experience awesome, always different but somehow the same in their awesomeness! The best people bringing your food and always patient with my crappy espanol! The other night at Daniels I saw Rob and Lupita stroll by with their chihuahua. I didn't bother them I'm sure Rob has enough on his plate. But that big smile on his face as he strolled by makes me believe he's loving life to the fullest.

Activity wise its a lather rinse repeat story, we lounge by our Pool here at Villas El Arca, Make or get lunch hit the beach running with our chairs and umbrella. I guess i Could mention I ride my bike up the La rope hill behind jungle pizza every second day to ward of the many calories the beer offers. I think the beers winning though! Sailfest was really cool to watch, I think next year we'll book ourselves a spot on a boat for race day and the parade. From the beach with a nice zoom lensed you could see the people on the boats having a blast!
Yesterday a couple of my friends and I walked out the lighthouse. The trail was a little tricky to find but blind faith (and the ocean proximity and garmin GPS) kept us headed the right way. What a cool hike. Here from the south end of La Ropa we walked the rocks all the way down past Otillia's and back into the bush. Twenty five minutes later I was snapping some awesome panoramics with my iPhone to hold for a later day. We decided on the walk back to try another route. 14km's later we made it back home to some mucho frijo cervezas. God they went down good! Two days earlier I swam from Rossies to the outer edge of Las Gatas which was about 1 hour 15 minutes with fins and what an array of wildlife. Large Rays (not the sand ones) colourful fish and even a sea turtle joined me for a bit. Since the swim was spontaneous when I got in the water, I didn't have my camera with me. Next time I'll take some pesos in a plastic bag for a beer or two on Las gatas and then swim back. Might I add the water is clear this year, really clear, it's been awesome for visibility!
Your gonna flame the crap out of me for this one but I don't care. I tried the parasailing. After 8 years of saying no I gave it a whirl and it was fun. I doubt I'll ever repeat, but, the 7 minutes of video I captured will make a cool iMovie project when I get home (To my wife's chagrin, I've been filming walks, taxi rides mercado strolls etc). I've seen the people get dropped and was obviously nervous but you gotta piss the wind once and a while. I like the quote "lighten up your not getting out alive!"
Most of our friends here are at leaf 20 years older than my wife and I. We have some very dear friends from Wisconson beside us and we always have so much fun together. It's amazing how age doesn't matter to the heart and soul, it's just the want to be carefree and have fun. Of course a little tequila and Rum help lubricate that thread. I can't wait for the day I can be here for 5 months. I hope it's only 10 years or so away.
Next week we've planned a nice BBQ here at the Villa and will do up some tenderloin, shrimp and tuna. With all the great restaurants it's tough not to eat out but this night will be with special friends.
If you haven't made Valentines plans, I might recommend Il Mare. I've hired a Mariachi band for an hour and they'll be there from 6:30-7:30. It'll be loud (it's a 7 piece band) but I think it'll be a really fun night at the restaurant. If you don't like happy people and mariachi music, it might not be for you. I know they fill up fast if they haven't already.
I've loved reading the trip reports from Grumpy and Jenny and Jeff. They embody the reason I started coming to this board in the first place. Helping new and repeat visitors quam any fears or answering questions means so much to them. It got me on my feet here and if anyone ever had a question, just message me. I'm not into the politics that rear their head here all to often. I'm just a visitor and I thank all the locals and nice people for always making me feel at home. I even have a nickname from the restaurants I frequent. El Chivo, because I'll eat anything, and lots of it.
Here's a couple cool pix......later.
Chivo

La Ropa from our chairs....

IMG_3707 by freddyv72, on Flickr
Sailfest Parade.....

IMG_3905 by freddyv72, on Flickr
Nice panoramic from the light house....

IMG_0393 by freddyv72, on Flickr
Pozole at La Bocana is the best! Thursday tradition!!

IMG_0263 by freddyv72, on Flickr
Still the nicest sunset I've ever seen here.....

IMG_3028 by freddyv72, on Flickr