Dancing Saddle

The next morning, I woke feeling absolutely wrecked. My muscles were still cramping but I slowly made my way to the breakfast table. A few of the other guests and the volunteers from the previous night checked up on me during the morning. That first day all I did was take my laundry to the laundry mat and then went to the pharmacy and convenience store to get some drinks and snacks to survive the day. Every time I stood up, I felt a bit dizzy which made getting lunch interesting.

The first few days in Puerto Escondido required lots and lots of coffee everyday. The heat was overwhelming most of the day, so chilling out in the shade with the fan going was a great way to recover.

Just before sunset I went down to the beach to watch the waves and see the sun go down. Sitting on the beach and feeling the power of the ocean wash over me is my happy space. The waves thundering on the shore, the smell of the ocean, the rhythm of the waves. It is one of the ways that I heal. Considering how I felt it was the perfect location. Most of my exhaustion was in the body, but I was feeling it in the mind as well. That evening, I didn’t do much at all. I just relaxed. And tried to get some rest. We ended up playing some spicy uno which slowly started to lift my spirits.

Spending time on the beach watching the waves and enjoying the sunset was very much needed. Spicy Uno was a great way to spend the evening and having a good laugh.

The next two days I didn’t do much. My energy was way down and I spent most of the time at the hostel and in the swimming pool. I mostly just read and hung out with the other guests and enjoyed the family dinners. A friend that I met in Guanajuato City who was motorbiking through central America was in Puerto Escondido as well and it was great to catch up and share out stories from the last month or so.

Spending time in the pool was needed by everyone. Meeting up with old mates is always great.

He convinced me to go salsa dancing. I am not the greatest but one of the ladies dragged me onto the dance floor and I was happy to get a good dance in. There was a huge downpour as I left and when I got back to the hostel tried to bolt from the taxi to the gate. Unbeknownst to all of us when the power is out the gate does not work. So, I was locked out getting drenched but loving every moment. I took off my shirt and passed my phone and wallet to one of my friends. It felt like I was in the Shawshank Redemption and I loved every moment.

Our resident lizard chilling in the sun. Family dinner was always a highlight.

The Sunday evening, I joined the traditional weekly beach party. We shared a colectivo ride to La Punta beach with myself and a couple of others hanging off the back. Some of us went to go watch the sunset and then hit the party. It was fun with lots of dancing and sweating in the tightly packed dance floor. We all eventually slowly made out way back. Unfortunately, one of person got robbed by the police. He handled it well. Way better than I would have.

Sunset and parties.

Soon it was time to go. I am really grateful for all the amazing people I met there. They were great while I was struggling to get better and a great laugh and good company with some beautiful souls. The morning, I left I stopped by la Punta to say goodbye to my motorcyclist friend and got to meet a few other people. I ended up starting around 11:30 am.

A great crew of people on leaving day. Back on the road in the extreme heat.

It was already scorching hot and for the first hour or so it was probably the worst conditions I had ever ridden in. It felt like someone was holding a heater against my back. Thankfully, a storm blew in. Above me there were only clouds but further inland I could see rain and lightning. At a rest stop I met Bryan and his family and he had some amazing stories to tell which I will get into later.

Meeting Bryan on the side of the road and hearing the story of his trek through Baja. Even the lifeguard towers in Mazunte are beautiful to behold.

In the early evening, I arrived in Mazunte. It was time for some peace and quiet after the hedonism of Puerto Escondido. The next day I headed to the beach to watch the sunset and enjoy the waves. I met the Australian couple that I had met a couple of days before in Puerto Escondido. Sometimes the world can be wonderfully small. The next evening, I met up with Bryan and his family for dinner.

I think Mazunte beach will be my favourite in Mexico. So beautiful and peaceful.

Bryan and his family turned out to be fascinating people. This journey is not about just making my own story but hearing the stories of the people I meet. Traveling by bike also makes me more approachable than other modes of transport. Bryan had many years before walked and paddle boarded the length of Baja. Having done it myself by bike it was a lot easier to comprehend how hard that would be. Him and his wife are still avid travelers and hope to go do the Camino and go to South Africa in the next few year.

Red Snapper dinner with Bryan and his family.

The next day was more of the same. Do some things in the morning. Hide from the heat and humidity during the midday and afternoon and then head to the beach for a swim and some beers. I met up with the Australian couple to catch some waves. For dinner we went to the ramen restaurant of another couple that I had met in Oaxaca. Just after we ordered dinner my motorcyclist friend showed up. It turned out to be the start of an amazing time in Mazunte.

Dinner at Reina Negra with the awesome Mazunte crew. Fruit juice in the morning on the beach.

The next afternoon and evening we all hung out again. Chatting about life, travel, negotiating prices and many more. It was great spending time with such a good group of people. One of my favorite moments was body surfing. The last afternoon and evening we spent over an hour just body surfing in the waves. I caught the waves most of the time but a few times I got absolutely pummeled onto the beach. Playing in the water and the surf is healing for the soul and mind, though rough on the body.

Playing in the waves. A happy exhausted me after playing in the surf and body surfing and being thrown about. Love it.

On my last evening, I got to enjoy a spectacular thunder storm before departing. I was truly sad to be leaving. It was the third place in a row where I had an amazing time staying with great people. The next morning I almost stayed another night but decided better of it and after a delicious dinner it was time to hit the road again.

A spectacular storm blowing in on my final night. My favourite coffee shop.