South of Oaxaca - San Jose del Pacifico & the Pacific

5/11 - 8/11 San Jose del Pacifico

Wednesday
Discovered the reason I didn't sleep very well is that we're slept underneath some very large power lines. Doh.
Found some mushrooms, trekked off into the forest and got slightly trippy, crazy clouds. Base camp was a lush green clearing by a stream. Scrambled up hillside and surfed down on pine needles.

Later, met Alacrán at another hostel & chilled with some Mexican guys. We got on pretty well. We came back to the cabaña, Alacrán went to sleep outside.


Thursday
Bumped into Alacrán again, at that time it was Hongo (mushroom). He followed us around all day, we went for a walk, he waited outside while we had dinner at this amazing Italian place called Los Duendes - the leprechauns. Had an amazing steak, local, fresh meat and huge and delicious for 60 pesos - ouch though amazing value. Alacrán slept outside on blanket.


Friday
Chilled day, then went to Oaxaca in afternoon to pick up car.

Stayed night in Oaxaca, slept in car outside hostel as hostel was closed when I got back.

Saturday
Left Oaxaca with 2 hitchhikers picked up from the hostel in the morning to share petrol, arrived back at San Jose del Pacifico to pick up crew - Damian, Eve and Chantelle (Jay and Julia had gone ahead)... and Alacrán (still known at this stage as Hongo). He just jumped into the car when saying goodbye, jumped into the boot of the car and just sat there. Arrived San Angustinillo after tortuous drive through windy mountain roads at night - not Mazunte as we thought! Staying at this guy's house we met after 15 minutes of getting into town, geeza called Antonio. Nice terrace looking over the top of the rest of the village to the sear, sleeping in Jonah's tent. Realised we left skillet in Oaxaca. Doh. Played poker at Derek's bar, Casa Magica, a real nice place with cold beer and good music. First time playing poker, lost 200 pesos. Funny characters, an very drunk Argentine guy, Carlos who runs the Luna Nueva, Ross the American, Shane the Canadian Indian.

8/11 - 15/11 San Angustinillo and the beach

View from our place

Sunday
Alacrán loves the beach, a mountain dog that's never seen the sea before. Pescadillas - like quesadillas, but with fish. These sellers stroll up and down the beach, selling 4 for 20 pesos. Very addictive.

Monday
Went into Pochutla (aka Chipotle) to get supplies, dog worming tablets, flea shampoo. New favourite street food - barbacoa tacos.
Beach.
Jay made ceviche... mmmm... and then gave us his amazingly sharp Japanese knife. wow.

Tuesday
Beach.
Nearly drowned. Dangerous undercurrent. Not going out of my depth again until I can swim properly.

Wednesday
Beach.
Bought lush hammock for 360 pesos (ouch).
Fuil moon. Swam under the moon at night, doing flips into waves. Fun.

Thursday
Beach.
Concerned about what to do with Alacrán. We can't travel with him for ever.
DJed with Damian aka DJ Razzmataz at La Barritta. At about 11, the owner wanted me to play more salsa, so did, then everyone left. This guy has a drum kit in front of the system, on which he gets and jams it up. Which was great... for a while.

Friday
Beach.
Another game of poker, only lost 50 pesos.

Saturday
Left the beach - changed mind about staying until the weekend for the Jazz Festival - and with dog in tow, still loving it. Arrived in Tehuantepec, staying at a nice cosy motel in town, 5 sharing 2 double beds pushed together (no funny business). Dog inside because kid scared of him being playful.

Sunday
Left Teohuantepec, after checking out Sunday market soon after sunrise while everyone setting up. Lush to see the calm before the storm.