January 11 – 14, 2013

Left early (8:30 am is early here!!!). The ride was more inland, which means WARM! At one point it reached 100 degrees.  As we rode, we began to notice diesel on the road – not such a good thing when you are on a motorcycle. The back tire slipped three different times, but Scott kept us upright. The diesel lasted for a good treacherous 30 miles. Our progress was also slow because of the many towns we were riding through – slowing down for traffic and topes.  I guess this ride takes 7 hours in a car… we did it in about 5 hours.

We had not eaten breakfast, so lunch was beginning to become a priority. We would look carefully in each town, but didn’t see anything that looked decent. Finally, around 1:30 pm, we come around a curve to see La Perla – a little restaurant with a lovely pool next to it. Yeah! We cooled off in the pool and then had chicken fajitas and shrimp – watching a mexican señora make our tortillas over a fire. Just what we needed – the swim was so refreshing! Now we understand and appreciate a little more the reason for the pool at a restaurant!

Got to Puerto Escondido around 4:30 pm and started looking for a place to stay. The northern beaches are small little beaches with bays, packed with Mexicans (which means they would be making noise ALL night long!) We were so happy to drive a little further to find a Zicatela Beach – a long stretch of beautiful beach known for its surfing.

There are many Canadians here – and many surfers. But with that, there are good restaurants and many English-speaking shop owners. We found a great hotel in a quiet area – the Blater Hotel opened in August, so everything is brand new and beautiful. The infinity pool on top of the hotel has an endless view of the beach.  It seems like we are the only ones here.

Scott is loving being able to body surf every day – so much so that we are staying here a week.  I am running on the beach every morning – and working on my tan 🙂  Everything is very inexpensive here – food and lodging both.  We found a restaurant we like that has french pastries, fresh oj, delicious coffee and fresh fruit (papaya, cantaloup, watermelon, pineapple and bananas) for breakfast…

We found a church to go to on Sunday morning, held at someone’s home in their carport/breezeway – met two missionary families.  Mondo and Myra and their 4 kids work with the surfer’s ministry.  Sherry and Ronnie and their 8 kids have a soccer ministry.  Both are from Southern California – Manhattan Beach/Redondo Beach area!  Mondo preached in English while his oldest son (16 or so) translated. Both families homeschool – their kids are so sweet!!!!  We were very impressed with them.  The church has a very international congregation (US, Canada, Austria, Mexican, Brazilian, just to name a few) and everyone was very welcoming and friendly. Worship was led by three – a guitar, mandolin and drum – we sang most songs in Spanish, but some in English.

We are hearing about how cold it is at home -11 degrees…. and we are so thankful to Aimee and Ben for dealing with all the frozen pipes and issues at the ranch!!!!  It is hard to imagine that depth of cold when we have to keep getting in the water several times a day to stay cool!