After heading down to the beach while waiting for a response, we were laid on the beach and the guy we messaged online happened to bump into us (a nice thing about small towns!) and asked if we wanted to check out his place and see if we wanted to stay. After talking for a while we headed over and we couldn't believe our luck! It was a lovely villa with a pool. There was an American lady who rented the downstairs and the guys had the top floor (and of course it came with a dog been in Latin America and all!). We had a bed on the terrace and could use their kitchen pool and garden at will. It seemed like heaven compared to the hostel and Eder's roommate was one of the locals we had met in the park the previous night. The house was also in the village where all the locals were living. With mud track roads, roosters and corner shops we got more of a feeling of true village life here. Once we agreed we packed our bags and made our way over. We crashed and enjoyed laying round the pool and reading. Both the guys, Eder and Omar, were lovely and made us feel completely at home! After been fed Omar's amazing shrimp tacos (homemade was 100 times better) I knew I was going to enjoy my stay! We all listened to music and chatted on the terrace about various things (getting recipes!) and got to know each other.

After good night's sleep with a fan, no loud music from reception or smoke coming into the room, we were both refreshed and ready for another lovely day. The sun was shining and it was Eder's day off from work at a beach bar. He said he would take us across to a different beach which we would love, so trusting a local we agreed but not before he'd made us breakfast burritos of course! I'd also like to point out at this point that after travelling Central America for over four months I am finally at the stage where I can not only tolerate slight spice but actually like it and frequently add it to most things! Even breakfast! (I'm proud of this achievement as I never thought it was possible!). We then walked into town to the support the opening of a new cafe owned by the lady downstairs. Here we got some amazing chocolate bananas which like smoothies are also my major weakness! We then walked through the town and into the jungle. Along the mud path and up the some inclines, passing the local cemetery (which was interesting in itself being brightly coloured and with elaborate tombs) and down some declines the beach started to appear through the tropical foliage. As we were listening to Eder's stories of different events in the town and its history the journey seemed to pass quickly and before we knew it we were on the deserted beach. However we were not done. Due to the surf here the waves and currents were too dangerous but Eder had discovered a natural swimming pool in the rocks on the other side of the bay. Eder and Cassie gracefully climbed and I clambered behind over the huge granite rocks. It was fun however and we found the pools. It was amazing just out of the blue a random deep sandy pool amongst the rocks and sand to cool off after sunbathing. We were in heaven. We spent the day relaxing and chatting in the natural Jacuzzi (the effect of the large waves splashing over the top and flowing down through the gullies in bubbles to the pool). We really were spoiled and the experience was only possible through the expert knowledge of someone who lived here. We really felt lucky and happy to have moved from the hostel.

That night Eder had planned to cook us a lovely meal so we stopped at various stalls to pick out the ingredients. As Cassie and I were intimidated by both Omar and Eders culinary skills we offered to pay for the ingredients rather than cook as a sign of gratitude for their hospitality. The meal was divine with Japanese sushi followed by grilled fresh fish and vegetables sautéed in a butter garlic and mustard dressing with a side of cactus. We really did luck out, I felt well and truly spoilt and it was becoming a beautiful end to such an amazing trip. Very relaxing, meeting lovely locals and discovering secret spots!

After another night's sleep under the stars we got up early to the bright sunshine. We went down to the beach where we spent the day sunbathing (or sunbaking as the Aussies say although this conjures a rather awful image of us been in an oven and not stopping till we were brown and crispy, I much prefer the idea of bathing in a pool of sunlight!). Although it was lovely and sunny the tide was a bit sneaky and decided to play a little joke, washing completely over me while sleeping and soaking my book, sarong and all my belongings...I was ok with this and dried it all out on the sun while 'borrowing' a chair from the local beach club. I then decided to go for a refreshing dip in the midday sun, only to find out the tide had another little joke for me. I actually felt like I was in a washing machine! I couldn't get out of the sea. I kept been washed up to shore then standing (holding my bikini intact) trying the run to safety then the tide would come up grab my ankles and throw me on my face while I was been dragged back in at a ridiculous pace gripping the sand and rocks! After about three attempts, feeling rather embarrassed as people passing by on relaxing horse riding trips watched on and saw me being dragged across the rocks, I decided it wasn't worth the risk to empty the pile of sand I'd collected in my bikini bottoms while gripping on for my life! During this Cassie was just lying on the beach oblivious to my distress offering no help... however she was quite disappointed she missed it too but not for the same reasons. That was the last time I went in the sea, stuck to the pool from now on!

After I recovered we bumped into another traveller we met in town, he was from Medicine without boarders and we spent the afternoon catching and lying on the beach. He was a really interesting guy working in all sorts of places! We then headed back, of course grabbing another taco followed by a chocolate banana. We stopped in at Chocobanana cafe as the lady who owns it lives below the guys we were staying with and she invited us over. After a nice afternoon we called it a day and headed back to chill round the pool for the evening.

The next day, my final day with Cassie, was pretty much the same as the rest of the week or so! I made the most of the private pool, finished my book and we had a lovely last meal in town. Due to the small town feel we bumped into two of the guys we had met early in the week and they joined us for dinner. It really felt like we had made a little home here in such a short space of time. After getting packed up Omar and Cassie walked me to the bus (through the river, as you do in Mexico) and I headed back into the main town to catch my night bus to Mexico City. I loved Sayulita and had an amazing time. It is relaxing, welcoming with delicious food and cafes, secret deserted bays and lovely locals! I'd recommend it to anyone...but don't spread the word too much, it's best kept as a little secret!

I boarded my night bus with a bittersweet feeling that night. Leaving Cassie behind who I had been travelling with for about two months now and also becoming more and more aware that the end of my trip is approaching. However I still have a warm sense of happiness knowing I've had an amazing time here, found a great friend hopefully for life in Cassie and actually starting to feel ready to return home. But hey, still a few days left before I mention home! I'm returning to Mexico City and will hopefully go out with a bang!