26 May 09 - Puerto Escondido, Mexico

Ahh! What a great couple of days we've just had in Puerto Escondido. The batteries are well and truly recharged although the detox plan certainly didn't happen. Think more cocktails than tequila, however.

I was definitely amazed by the hotel we got put up in with its stucco-style architecture, manicured gardens and beautiful pool. Tim and I just looked at each other and thought "hell yes!". Even better was the fact that we were the only ones there. So many people had cancelled their travel plans to and around Mexico that this little beach town which would normally be teeming with tourists was really quite dead. Sad for those whose livelihoods depend on the arrival of tourists, but really nice for us because we essentially had the whole place to ourselves.

So, the plan was to get up really early to have breakfast by the pool and then to just lounge in the sun all day long to build that tan up again (its unbelievable how quickly it fades), and that's exactly what we did. I think I stated that fact about five times the night before to the point I was irritating. It was just that I was SO excited to finally have a day of, well, nothing. We'd been on the go for so long I just needed a day with no plans or obligations. So, breakfast was delicious and the sun scorching. At one point, the three of us girls were stretched out on our deck chairs with cocktails by our sides and with no sound except the slight hum of the filter, Norah Jones on the radio and the boys' distant chess game. It was bliss.

We did venture out to the nearby beach for some lunch, (more) cocktails and a dip in the ocean. The water was incredibly warm, almost too warm, but that just meant I could enjoy it for longer. This place is a real paradise and tucked away in its own little universe, it seems. I'd love to come back here one day and spend a week reading, swimming, drinking cocktails and eating seafood.

We headed into town that night, but not before a few shots of tequila in Steve and Sarah's room to get the night started. And what better (and cheaper) way to get into town than to hitch-hike. Ernesto assured us it was perfectly safe and completely common in this town, but after 15 minutes of no takers, he was a little concerned that no one would pick us up. So, I stepped up to the plate. We got all the boys to hang back a little and then I stuck my little thumb out and bang! Within 30 seconds up pulled a huge utility and in we hopped. Im not sure whether they drivers were completely impressed when four guys came out of nowhere and hopped in, but hey, we were greatful and Im sure they didn't mind too much. Sometimes you just need a girl to get things done J

Like I said above, the town was very, very quiet and that did affect our urge to go to a bar or club, since they were basically empty. So, we did what we have done most other nights on tour in Mexico - we drank Coronas and ate tacos. Only, Tim and Ernesto were so sick of over-paying in restaurants (which is true - you do overpay, but its still incredibly cheap people!) that they bought some Coronas from a nearby store and fish tacos from a street vendor at 20 cents a pop! Their guts could handle it, but I wasn't ready to test mine out, so I stuck with the crowd and dined at a cute little restaurant whilst Tim and Ernesto sat outside the restaurant with their beers and tacos. It was a funny site and the joke was certainly on us when we ended up paying ten times the price for the same meal. Oh Tim, you crack me up! And no - neither Ernesto nor Tim got ill from the fish tacos.

We left Puerto Escondido not long ago and we are off to Acapulco! Do you know how excited I am? Acapulco was in my top 3 destinations to visit whilst on this trip (pipped to the post by NYC and Tokyo) so you can only imagine how Im feeling right now, besides starving! I CAN'T WAIT!!!!!!!!!!!!!! BPPOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!