Well, today started lazy enough – I was slow to get going. Actually, both Dayna and I were, but, as usual, I win the prize. The four of us finally got out the door at about 11h00. We caught the same bus that brought us here from Puerto Vallarta – these buses, which already bring you a long way for the ridiculous cost of 12 pesos a person (right around a dollar), actually run alternately up to Villella and to Sayulita, something like another 3/4 hour. Well we were lucky enough to have a Sayulita bus waiting for us as we arrived at the stop on the highway.
The ride was, um, interesting. Shortly after leaving the populous area of Bucerias, the road went down from 4 lane divided to 2 lanes, and snaked through the mountainous jungle. It reminded me a lot of the drive up number 10 highway through Riding Mountain National Park, but of course with very different vegetation. There were beautiful mountain streams, clearings where you could see the treed sides and tops of the mountains, and curve after curve after curve, as the road followed the passes and the streams.
The bus driver shifted down, then down again, as we climbed in the jungle. There was a lot of traffic, including big trucks, other buses, passenger cars, and much more. Then, descending the other side, it seemed we were going a bit too fast – but hey I’m not a thrill seeker.
We arrived in Sayulita, and all the Mexican folk on the bus got off. The driver looked a little perplexed, then we realized that the bridge ahead over the river was out – we weren’t going to get to the other side unless the bus started to fly! There were about a dozen other gringos remaining on the bus too, and we had a good chuckle as we got out.
 |
| The bus to Sayulita |
| View of bridge out – from footbridge – bus is stopped behind fence on the left! |
| Autos crossing, from footbridge. |
| A view of truck crossing through river, from the beach. |
| Row of surfing students wait to hit the waves! |
| Curses, that lady blocked the sign – but here it is, Chocobanana |
| Wall behind the counter |
| Ha ha, I need one of these to put beside my desk! |
| And there I am with the namesake Chocobanana – coconut flake outside. Not bad! |
| Yes, a big surfing town – three surf shops side-by-side and one across the street. |
| Gringo’s bookstore and cafe! |