kath: puerto vallarta, mexico

*Slight format change for our web version readers... To view older posts, scroll down to "pick a previous post". It's more orderly, with dates and a map and stuff. Easy!*

8 - 27 August 2014

Hola chicos! While the dynamic duo - Damo and Dalbs - make their way across the states (Thelma and Louise style), I've been enjoying a little Eat Pray Love action in Mexico. Eating yummy healthy Mexican foods. Praying I get better at yoga, ha. And Loving life by the beach. It has been nothing short of BLISS. And the perfect break to study my millions of yoga books before the imminent teacher training course begins in - eek! - three sleeps..! 

The highlights

• Enjoying the Puerto Vallarta bay and all its pretty wonders. Over the three weeks, and thanks to some friendly locals, I'm pretty sure I saw every corner of this place. I wandered beautiful beaches (even saw hatched baby turtle eggs!); bathed in thermal springs; saw inland country towns and Mexican cowboys; ventured through the jungle; and cruised along meandering coastal roads. And all without impacting my daily quota of pool time. Winning. 
• I did a week long Ayurvedic "panchakarma". A pancha-what? Yes, a panchakarma. It's basically a cleansing program that focuses on detoxifying and healing different parts of the body each day so you feel like a million bucks by the end. There's lots involved, but all you really need to know is that after a week of yummy food, teas, massages, steam baths, private daily yoga classes and a few other fun things, I really did feel like a million bucks, inside and out! I have a photo to prove it (see below). I'd recommend it to anyone looking for a bit of vitally. It was awesome. 
• I also finally got around to reading some of my yoga books these last three weeks. After logging the darn things around this planet for over four months, this was understandably extremely satisfying. I'm also quite excited about all the aweaome things I'm learning, I'm on my way to being a fully fledged yogi, folks..!
• Finally, it was great to simply meet so many lovely people here who took me into their homes and lives. I can't wait to return the favour whem they come to Sydney town one day!

The Summary

Weather: Cold. Kidding! It's always hot.
Surf / Diving / Yoga: Just yoga here. Did lots of different classes at different studios. Vinyasa styles in Sayulita, Ashtanga and Hatha in Vallarta, one on ones in Bucerias and more!
Food: So much fresh food around here! Avos. Limes. Fruits. Herbs. Spices. Yum. From the little sayulita food markets, to the amazingly tasty meals and juices during the panchakarma, to my ameture home cooking in vallarta.
Beverages: Teas. Coffees. Tequilas.
People: Met plently of lovely and helpful people! Aside from the occasional unwanted attention, I've noticed since traveling alone that complete stangers come and help me when I'm lost on a bus or wandering aimlessly in the heat. Human beings are pretty rad.

Accommodation: Lots of self catering apartments. Nice ones too!
Budget: In a word: blown. But worth it.
Overall: Been very different without my travel buddy, Damo, but definitely been a wonderful few weeks. I'm feeling clean, fresh, energetic, relaxed, strong and happy! Yay! Sad to leave magical Mexico, but looking forward to heading back down to Costa Rica where the main event - the teacher training course - kicks off... 

Off to Mexico City in a few hours, San Jose the next day, Montezuma the day after and then the yoga school the day after that! Going to be a few long travel days before what will no doubt be an incredible month in the jungle, learning all things yoga. Can't wait.

Hasta luego chicos,
Kath. 

Sayulita

Fab Frida. I have a small girl crush.

Sayulita sunrise. Pre walk and ocean dip.

Sayulita sunset. Post day on the sand and dinner in town.

Bucerias, for the panchakarma

My PK dream team! Lalo who taught me yoga and twisted me into crazy shapes; Selene who massaged and cooked for me; and Greg who ran the show amd did all of the above and more!

Check out my daily fresh brewed tea!

These two are the BEST. They cooked for me, cleaned up after me, pampered me, totally spoilt me. If you do a panchakarma in mexico, call them!

Tuna steak! With all my fave greens.

Kitchari. My new staple for digestive health. And oh so tasty. 

Ta-da! Million buckaroos.

Sunsets in Bucerias are also very pretty. How can one sun make so many colours?! Baffling.

Footprints and rainbows.

Puerto Vallarta and around about town

My talented yoga teacher come osteo, Lalo! Taking me out on the town for yummy dinners and groovy bars.

Check out the view from the restaurant! 

Getting my yoga on at this studio. 

Selene's also a fashion designer! And a superb one at that. This is her in her element.

Selene's masterpieces. I may have bought one as a souvenir...

Lalo's view from his apartment! Amazing.

He has uninterrupted views of the entire bay from his balcony.

Lalo took me on a drive down south of vallarta. How groovy are these rocks with caves.

They don't look like much but these secluded natural springs in the mountains were bliss. Selene, her brother,  Greg and myself stewed in here for hours.

My office. Whatevs. 

And you thought my rucksack was full of clothes..!