Bucerias Mexico 2014: Wed. Feb.19 - The Winding Road to San Pancho

With a picnic lunch to feed a small army ( thanks Kathy ), umbrella, and beach chairs packed in the back of the van, the five amigos headed north on the winding road to Sayulita and San Pancho.

The back roads of the Mexican countryside can be challenging, with their sharp turns and impatient drivers, who pass unexpectedly on blind curves and hills.....not to mention the frequent sightings along the tangled jungle roadside, of elaborately decorated crosses, indicating where unfortunate drivers/passengers met their 'Maker'.

Thankfully, with good driver Bill at the helm, we arrived safely in Sayulita one day before a festival! The colourful buildings and gaudy, but attractive pennants hanging everywhere, gave the once 'sleepy' surfing town a festive atmosphere. Sayulita has grown up and 'outwards' to be a thriving tourist haven for the young and old hippie types. Every year, surfers from all points on the globe, congregate here to ride the waves in the Sayulita Surf Classic.

Meanwhile, just minutes up the highway, lies the small, sleepy town of San Pancho, definitely a more reserved and quiet destination for our picnic on the beach...a little too quiet for 'party girl' Betty, but not for Rob and Sue who have spent many happy hours here in the past few years, volunteering at the innovative community centre 'Entre Amigos', bird watching with the local biologist Luis, talking to Eric the 'save the jaguar' guy, and helping Frank release baby leatherback turtles. The environment takes centre stage here in this community, and we are thankful that world leaders are taking notice of this amazing little place as a model to study! Nicole, the director of the community centre in San Pancho, is winning an award from the Dahli Lama next week in San Francisco California.