We Arrive!

Mexico!! It took a good three days to get acclimated. Start to iron out, unpack, establish daily routines, recover from our travel day and settle in.

Travel day was hard, two flights, and we started early, at the airport by 4.30 am in Vegas. Arriving after two flights a time change and an Uber ride at our Bucerias apartment at about 4pm. So almost 12 hours of displacement. 

And I always think of it like that, like being homeless, having to ‘make do’ a lot. Making do with the wipes we brought, the snacks, the discomfort. 

First steps on his first plane

L traveled well. He passed out of the second and longer flight which was lovely. He spent much of the day on screens but behaved pretty good and there was only one inconvenient needing to go potty!

Geeze it was humid though! Our first driver told us they hadn’t had rain in weeks and I guess we brought in! Raining every evening that first week - creating the thickest air I have ever had the displeasure of knowing, immediately fogging up glasses - hot, bought a sweat rag - hot, three showers a day - hot.

Our Condo in Bucerias. We are on the fourth floor.

Our condo, by the 200 highway, was not suited well for working from home. We thought we would be able to use the kitchen bench / seating area but the sun hit that window all morning and that room was so hot. Before arriving we had thought the outdoor roof top area would be another place to be able to work and it was. It had WiFi, and the pool right there, we did work there one day, but it was hard to coordinate using that space when the nanny wasn’t. 

Oh, the Nanny! Literally the hardest piece of this puzzle for us is care for 3 year old 'L'. 

Now on the day to day Regina can work, she isn’t too bothered by L's routines, he can be loud sometimes but if push came to shove she would be able to work all day with him, home and in her space, as long as he had someone caring for his needs.

I however have a bit more of a challenge. Once in a while I can pop on my laptop while with him, and follow up on something, send a quick email but I can’t be on the phone. Or away from Lenny’s attention for long. He is pretty needy, and I don’t hate that it just makes it tougher, on me and on the nanny!

We are so lucky at home to have an amazing, understanding and beloved care taker for Lenny in our home 20 hours a week. (And a home office to hide in) And how fortunate we were able to find a great Nanny in Mexico too! We asked for referrals through the expatsi and Puerto Vallarta groups we are a part of, met with two ladies, one was great and one was awesome! We used both ladies the first week and Lenny made it clear who to choose for the remainder of our trip. 

Super flexible, a little cheaper than our nanny back home. A sweet girl with lots of experience. We were happy to have him in her care. 

Being a former nanny, I have worked with parents in the home before and it’s doable but annoying! So at home and away I am super aware to keep my distance and of course let the nanny be in charge and do their thing with our boy. 

This meant working at 'Tiny Coffee' a cafe down the street that has WiFi and the loveliest girls working there, on the rooftop deck when the nanny wasnt up there and using the time we had her to explore, get supplies, and take some time for ourselves and of course support Regina in work.

The first week passed quickly, with swimming in the roof top infinity pool in the evenings and exploring the surrounding streets. We ate at Tarantella, Bucerias our first night in town, we have found the Italian food in Bucerias to be awesome and love Toscana Mia too! One evening we took an uber to a Walmart like store La Comer- where we bought fruits and vegetables, cereal, paper towels and a stroller.

We walk through to the town square and the Bucarias sign, get to know the smells and sounds of our street. Found the fruiteria, the carniceria (Butcher) and become regulars at the OXXO (7-11).

Roof Top Infinity Pool

The best Churros! Try the condensed mild filled ones! Theses guys are in the town square - maybe 10 minutes walk from home

Groceries are cheaper, we are finding, and eating out is cheaper than at home, but not 'cheap'. We are paying about $1700 US for a month stay in a one bedroom apartment in Bucerias, so that is not cheap and not sustainable for us. This does include utilities, internet and the aforementioned roof top infinity pool. Its also low season so out of the 16 or so units in our building I dont think any others are occupied, so that means a private roof top infinity pool! On the flipside the sushi restaurant upstairs is closed for the season, and it feels a bit lonely in our apartment building.

The pacific ocean - 8-10 minutes walk from home.

Life begins to settle into our new form. We get used to the humidy and we continue with the ebbs and flows of work, while keeping up to date with the comings and goings of America and our family and friends. We appreciate the little things, like the amazon fire stick so we can get American TV. And buying just what we need - not much more fits in our little apartment. The first week of our stay is behind us now and there are so many adventures and misadventures on the horizon. Thanks for reading and stay tuned!

Between two Mexicos; What Not To Pack

We had just over 2 weeks between the Mexican Riviera Cruise (Mexico # 1) and our month long stay in Bucerias, Nayarit, Mexico (Mexico #2). We unpacked our bags, did the laundry and started a collection of stuff we didn't need but thought we might for the next trip.

The Starlink (Amazon Affiliate Link) - we did need and would need it for future trips. Regina watched 50,000 you tube videos and we purchased the Starlink Mini. It arrived quickly and we set it up in the back yard. After a little bit of finagling we got it up and running, connected a couple of devices to it, and then packed it up to take with us. Coverage starts at $50 a month, and from our research you can use it for a couple months before having to register it in the country that you are in to continue using it. We were hesitant to support the company that makes these, but there are no other choices out there for fast reliable internet on the go.

I mentioned the harness in a previous post but here it is again. Kids Car Seat Harness This was awesome and easy to use when out and about. Especially important in Mexico where car seat laws seem to be non existent for littles. We bounced around in the UTV (Side by Side) when in Ensenada and planned on taxi's, uber's and Didi's for our next trip. We pop "L" in the harness before the ride, it took a few trys to get it sized right so do that before you need to use it! Then pull the seatbelt all the way out to engage locking, thread it through the lap belt path and over the shoulder and tighten all the way down. "L" can shimmy down the seat a little on a long ride but when sitting upright he is safe and secure.

The great food race, where we eat all the fresh food and drink all the milk, getting ready for the vacation began at our place. Strange combinations of food and running out of things so we could leave the place for a month. Although our oldest son "M" would be stopping by a couple times a week to feed the tortoise, he had a grocery app downloaded ready to order whatever she and he needed. We also have him checking mail, doing a couple things for us for work and random household managing while we are out of town.

It's always a struggle, packing too early and too much. This time really tried to wait till the day before to do clothes, in what little space was left! Regina has traveled with this Large OGIO Bag in the past, and we each took one on the 5 day cruise. This time we packed these up and both were overweight! Ugh. Paid an extra $200 at the airport when we could have and should have packed another checked luggage piece. #Lessonslearned

Listen, I took it all, and so much of it we need. Essential oils, kids medicine, snacks, reusable bags. Some things we didn't need and probably wont take home: portable mini fan (our apartment has ceiling fans), 2 x long sleeved shirts (the lows here are in the 80's). Toys, we didn't pack many, and we definitely didn't need as many as we bought. We pick up toys everywhere we go - a little car here, coloring book there. Next time we won't over pack toys for sure.

We ordered and bought these with us MOSQUITO REPELLANT BANDS as well as this THERACELL. Regina is (not unjustly) a little paranoid about dengue fever. It IS the rainy season in Mexico afterall.

The best thing we packed was these Little Guys they are so fun in the car, at the airport, on the plane, hotel rooms and anywhere you can find a place for them to stick. "L" has spent hours playing with these guys. And he has so many we can loose one or two and not panic.

Playing with the 'Little Guys'

You get as prepared as you can, and for me it was over prepared. I didn't have first hand knowledge of where we were going and what would be accessible. Turns out not much was accessible in Bucerias and I was so glad to pack reusable water bottles. We did make a trip to Walmart in the first week to get some things we didn't know we needed. But even the supermarket is a planned trip away from where we are staying. We depended on supplies from the OXXO and Kiosko's on the corner.

We also found some gems at the apartment like Ciao Mosquito a body spray mosquito repellant that does not smell horrible. And some lovely soft, big and light blanket type things that we use as cover ups, or on the couch when snuggling. We bought a couple of turkish towels from home that I love too (we have a great supplier that we got samples from), small enough to pack in a day bag and versatile enough to use as a towel or to sit on, at the beach.

And thats it, a months worth of medicine for the both of us, a months worth of pull ups (Lenny is potty trained during the day, so just at night), lots of bathings suits and shorts and tee shirts.

Hello Hotel Boat, Hello Mexico

The idea of living and working abroad has been forefront for us the last year or so, the fact that we work from our lap tops and our lap tops can be anywhere our laps are, is very cool. The benefits of a cheaper day to day cost of living is attractive too.

Earlier this year we attended an online workshop with Expatsi to learn about how they offer support, knowledge and expertise to Americans who are planning to move abroad, to anywhere. From a quiz to tell you what countries may fit your families needs to literal people in places that you can meet with and talk to and ask all the questions! (Shameless and unpaid plug for this great program!)

Mexico is attractive to us as we have two big kids that would not join us on our journeys, we share custody of them, and they are in a great high school. Just not an option to uproot them at this time. Mexico is close enough to come home for every celebration and occasion, and for them to travel to unaccompanied. While Europe is interesting and a place we would like to explore and Australia pulls at my heart every day, thats just too far for anything more than temporary right now.

Regina went on a 5 day scouting trip in March with Expatsi to Puerto Vallarta and surrounds. She learned how to order fish at the fish market, and what the local real estate market was like, plus had the opportunity to talk to and meet other Americans looking to move out of the country and expat's that lived in Mexico who had recently moved, and some that have been there for almost 10 years. We both couldn't go because... life... so Regina asked all my dumb questions about child care and car seats and ?donde esta el biblioteca? So we both got some information that would lead to us booking a month in Bucerias, just north of PV.

A Month. In Mexico. Just let that settle in for a moment. This planned month is this summer and involves a long stay Air BnB, nannies, shopping, traveling, living, cooking, being, working, coping, talking and walking in Mexico. A MONTH!

But before that grand adventure, our conversation turned to Ensenada one night. We have friends that go there, not a far drive from San Diego. Seemed like an option we had to check out. We talked about driving, spending a weekend or a week there, and we thought maybe it would be fun to explore the area on our own, no kids.

We discovered that it was about 7 hours drive from our home in Vegas, or we could fly in to Tijuana and rent a car. I googled 'best way to see Ensenada' and what popped up? Cruise! Okay, so we had been wanting to cruise, never been, and if we have a day in Ensenada to explore plus a fun experience getting there. Lets do it!

'L' looking for whales (the binoculars are backwards)

I contacted my friend Michelle at https://looking-forward-travel.com/ We have known each other for many, many moons and she hooked me and my mum up with a trip to Memphis and NOLA late last year. I knew she had recently started cruising and she found us a great deal on a 5 day Mexican Riviera Carnaval cruise in May. This included a day in Cabo and a day in Ensenada, and 2 days at sea. Perfect.

Hello Hotel Boat! Departure day loomed and we drove 5 hours to Long Beach and saw the tremendous ship we would be living on for 5 days.. I had fear, but I had a 3 year old who very much was sold on the idea of sleeping in a hotel on a boat. Hence the term, Hotel Boat was created.

Embarkation day!

The cruise was... challenging, and mainly because our beautiful wonderful active kid was kicked out of Kids Club every time we put him in. He would last 30 minutes or an hour and a half but never longer. And it was because they would do a planned activity and he wasn't listening. Wasn't following directions and was running around. Um, yeah, he is three. So we didn't get much adult time, not as much as expected. But we did explore the boat, eat and swim. We did take it in turns in the evening to gamble, see some entertainment and wander the shops and we did decide that we are doing this again sans children!

Regina got the internet package so she was able to use her phone and computer. She worked from on board, in our little cabin. On her laptop and answering calls a few hours each day. We were on board Thursday through Tuesday, so it was easy to take most of the weekend off from work. Me? I didn't even take my laptop!

First stop was Cabo! Hello Mexico, beautiful coast line, the bluest water, the most pretty rocks and a busy, bustling port. We had to take a boat to get to the shore, and then another water taxi to get to the beach and we had just gotten off a large boat that we were sleeping on. I am not a boat person, I was not a pirate in another life and boat after boat (getting smaller each time) was not particularly appealing for me, but, I was brave for my kid.

Iguanas on my shoulders - CABO

I found Cabo to be a little overwhelming, with lots of people selling you stuff, putting iguanas on your head, wanting your money to take glass bottomed boat tours and sell you blankets. Meanwhile the tourists are flocking to drink and eat. It was a little crazy. We started out by getting a Pedi Cab and heading out from the coast walk (just a little bit). We had been warned on the ship to not stray from the tourist areas, and there were Federales with big weapons all over the place. In fact, when we first got to shore, Regina asked one of them where the swim beach was and he just slowly shook his mask covered head.

Sweaty Back View of Cabo

We saw a little of the streets, and markets and shops in the area surrounding the shore. But mostly we saw Jose's sweaty back as he pulled us around as we took pictures, and giggled and took in the locals. A water taxi to 'our beach' and a table in the sand was next on the ticket, with a couple margaritas and a short lived splash in the ocean that was intent to drag us all the way to Australia with each ebb. Seriously, the undertow was so strong that I fell with Lenny in my hands, into the sand and then when Regina was having a go, she fell so dramatically a local jumped in to pull her up! We returned to the ship with less $$ and a toy iguana. Cabo? Ca-no.

After another day at sea we arrive at Ensenada. Already I liked the city better, it was layed out in a cove and the ship could dock right up to land. No boats to get to the boat.

'L' Strapped in with his harness on

We walked in from the cruise terminal and almost immediately rented a UTV. Buckled the kid in - we got him this awesome (AMAZON AFFILIATE ALERT) harness for just this reason! And off we went, exploring a little bit of the community, residential areas. We stopped at a supermarket - highlight of the day! And wandered around taking pictures of stuff and reminding ourselves that yes, they had all the essentials and some were much cheaper!

Bud lite 12 packs were 109 pesos - $5.68, a small pack of Bacon was 77 pesos - $4, and a loaf of Bread was 30 pesos - $1.56. A 12 pack of toilet paper 79 pesos - $4.12, a large bottle of coke was 20 pesos - $1.04. So, long story short, we will be able to eat and drink and its going to be cheaper that in the US right now!

The three of us wandered the fore shore a little - missed the whole tourist area and didn't make it to the beach but talked about coming back. I went into an OXXO - just like a 7 11 back home but everything was in espanol! We ate at a little taco place, bought some jewellery and a few trinkets. Regina got us all Starbucks and we headed back to the boat. Seemed to be a clean, laid back city and I can't wait to return.

The next morning we were back State side, and we disembarked and drove home. All in all, an experience we would do again (the cruise) and spend more time at (Ensenada). Regina also wants to return to Cabo to see the tropical fish on a glass bottom boat tour. I'm good.

Back to life as usual, for just a couple weeks before the grand 4 week Bucerias, Mexico immersion. After the 5 day taste of travel working there were a few lessons learned. We need help with 'L' on a day to day basis if I am to work at all!

Stay tuned as we pack and get Amazon packages every day before we head to Mexico #2! Oh yeah, we bought a Starlink too!