Chilling out at the ocean

Today was both Valentine's Day and my birthday, so I decided I'd like us to go to a particular restaurant on the beach for lunch. I knew what I wanted to eat too, as they serve coconut shrimp. The fresh fish and seafood in this town is just delicious.

This was the view from our table, without the zoom being used on the camera. We eventually moved the table back a few feet as the waves were getting pretty close. This gives ocean view a whole new meaning!

My shrimp were as good as I'd hoped - about 10 good-sized fresh shrimp, with fresh coconut, and all the trimmings - for about $5 US. The restaurant was busy and the service was slow, but we were content. In Mexico they won't bring the bill until you ask for it, and no one rushes you. Like most people, we sat there for a couple of hours as there was lots to look at. There were lots of surfers, as well as parents and children jumping the waves. Mexicans know how to enjoy family time.

I haven't forgotten my shepherdess role, but haven't seen an obvious need either. However, I thought Valentine's Day would be a good day to find one or two a home. We'd met our restaurant server the previous day, and learned she works 12-hour days and travels 1.5 hours each way by bus to come to work. She does this to help her grandmother, who runs the restaurant alone now. During this time, the server's mother watches her children, ages 3 and 4. So today Bugsy (on the far right) and Posh (at the back) are off to live in Guadalajara with two children. I'm sure they'll be loved.

This rider was escorting a couple on a ride at the beach. They stopped for a drink. It fascinated me how the guide dismounted his horse.

The horse dropped down on all fours, like a camel, and the rider stepped off as though getting off a motorbike.

They were probably there for 20 minutes, and the horse stayed perfectly still. At times the waves came very close, but it didn't move. When the rider was ready, he stepped over the horse and it rose up to meet him. Amazing.

While at the restaurant, a man at a nearby table picked up something blue at the beach and floated it in a large plastic glass. From a distance it looked like a jelly fish, and had tentacles relaxing and lengthening out.

As we walked the beach towards home, we also saw about four blue patches washed in with the waves. A Mexican stopped and explained they are blue jellyfish and mainly come in during summer. They are apparently poisonous.  

You'll see a tentacle in the upper area of the photo above. You can also see inside the fluid sack to some extent. The blob itself is about 2" to 3" around.

This part appears to have a dark rib running through the centre. Greg was fascinated by these, and wanted me to get him a glass so he could take one home. Some boys never grow up!

Enough of that gooey stuff. Let's close with a flower we saw. We just liked the shapes and colours. It was a good day spent with my Valentine.

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Location: Lo de Marcos, Nayarit, Mexico

Forecast: High of 77ºF (25ºC), low of 70ºF (21ºC)

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