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.