Puerto Penasco: Activities

We have been planning for Rocky Point pretty much since we got to Phoenix, so consequently we had some time to plan and budget for excursions. We decided that this was going to be our anniversary gift to each other since 1. We never get each other gifts 2. December anniversaries are kind of lame (my bad) and 3 we were on vacation in Mexico and wanted to live it up! Aunt Kay, Brian, and Sandy were kind enough to babysit for us a few times too so we were able to get away just the two of us.

Out of all the things you can do in Rocky Point, the one that stuck out the most to both of us was parasailing. It looked awesome and I don't know if we would ever really have to the chance to do it again. On Tuesday morning we drove down to the harbor, handed some guy our money, and were headed off on his boat. We didn't have to train, watch a tacky video, or even sign anything. Oh how I love Mexico.

 

I got a little nervous right before we took off

So Parasailing is amazing! It feels like swinging on a really high swing. The harness thing that you wear goes under your bu, you sit on the boat, they let the parachute out and you just slowly float to the top. It was so much fun. I thought we would get in the water like you do if you ski, but we didn't even touch the water. I have to say my favorite part was maybe watching the guys grab the parachute at the very end and try to pull it in really really REALLY fast.

 

We decided to also take advantage of the babysitting and go jet skiing. I loved it except, you had to walk out to the jet skis, probably 20 yards and the water was DISGUSTING! I have literally never walked in such warm, trash filled, slimy, disgusting water in my life. Everyone thought I was hilarious but I literally almost threw up. It was so bad that when we were done, the guy pushed us all the way to the sand "so you won't have to look silly again. " He was awesome!

Obviously a huge part of our trip was shopping with just the ladies. We took Kelsey one night and she loved it. She got a little shy when people would talk to her because she didn't know what they were saying, but it was a great opportunity to talk to her about different languages and cultures. Hopefully some of that sticks for the future.
I was looking at this ring and this guy had a fun personality and was trying to get me to buy he. He handed me a plastic bag and would say like "I'll even give you Mexican wrapping for the ring" funny things like that. After a while though, I decided that I didn't want it, said no thank you, and started to walk away. He literally stood in my way, put the ring in my hand and continued to barter with me. I don't think he knows me very well. I don't take getting told what to do very well. So here's the thing, I completely hate it. As soon as he did that I resolved to never buy that ring ever out of sheer pride. He kept pushing and pushing and wouldn't let me leave. It wasn't forever, and I have to say I didn't get intimidated, but I got so prideful. Back off buddy! I'll buy your ring if I want to buy your ring. Don't tell me what I want and how to spend my money!

Down the street from our beach house was a display of a whale skeleton. One of the afternoons, when the tide was low, we walked to the whale and looked around. I think the best part was seeing all the houses on the street. So colorful and unique.

 

  

 

The beach house had a paddle board and kayak that we were able to use. We didn't really take advantage of them the first few days, but the last two days we finally took them down to the water. And turns out I love paddle boarding. Who knew! I loved it so much that I willingly jumped in the water! That's saying something.The girls also loved it. They would hop on the board or the boat and go with us too. It was so much fun.

It doesn't matter but I did go out further than this. The pictures just turned out too small to tell

One morning we woke up and the water was as smooth as glass.  We all spent the morning taking turns paddle boarding and kayaking, while the girls played with who ever was on the beach. Ethan was a genius and brought a table and chairs down and we ate our breakfast (homemade burritos, chilies, and tamales) on the beach. It was a perfect morning. My favorite to be exact.

 

At night, we would either play in the tide pools or walk along the beach. One night we played with a glow in the dark beach ball and glow sticks and Kelsey thought it was the coolest.  Mom points for the win

There was so much to do but at the same time nothing to do if we really wanted. It was the perfect vacation.

 One day it was stormy and we all watched a movie. Aunt Kay captured this picture. I think we were all a little sad. Luckily the storm passed quickly and didn't affect anything.

Puerto Penasco: Downtown

Rocky Point is an old fishing village turned into a tourist destination. Its a cute little Mexican city. We spent some time just walking and driving around to get a good feel for it. Aunt Kay did a lot of the driving. She got really good at navigating the streets especially with all the signs being in Spanish.

Rocky Point is still developing so there are lots of buildings  being built. Rumor has it, it is going to be a cruise destination which would make sense. There were resorts going up everywhere!

This was crossing the boarder into Mexico. We didn't even slow down. They literally were like "Hi! come on in!!" So different than the THREE checks we had to stop at when crossing back into the US. We even got yelled at, becasue I turned around to look at Kelsey. America doesn't mess around with their boarder patrol.

The city right on the boarder is called Sonoyta. It amazed me how instantly different Mexico was compared to the US. I'm not going to try to act like all of Mexico was like the one city I was 5 minutes outside of Arizona, but this was my first and only experience with a new country.
The streets were different in that they were a little more crazy, the driving was a bit more crazy, everything was obviously in Spanish, there were dogs everywhere, narrow roads, very colorful buildings, different music, people playing music from speakers on top of their car, people walking up to our windows at stop signs to sell things or ask for help, the speed limit was in kilometers, main roads that would go from paved to dirt to paved, and then just different street signs in general. For example, there was this sign that had a big circle on it and that meant that if you wanted to turned around on this road there was a pull off coming up. It took us a while to figure it out, but like anything, within a few days we figured out the basics of what we needed to know.

There was lots of cool art in downtown Peutro. One day, while the girls were napping, we went downtown just to wander. We walked up and down the vendors shops, checked out Rodeo Drive where all the main shopping was and watched street performers. They have really catered to the college and American scene but it was amazing how different everything really was. Just the simple fact that you could barter about prices. Could imagine if we did that at like Costco?

 

  

Here's where the wards meet down there. Beautiful and so tiny. It was tucked away inside this neighborhood. Very hard to find actually.

Just a beautiful home

At one point we went to the grocery store. That was a fun experience for me. It was fun to see things priced in a different currency and the different brands for some of the same foods. This sounds so silly, but it made me realize that even though things are different, grocery stores are grocery stores no matter what country you live in.

The harbor

Puerto Penasco: The food

"A foodie is a person who has an ardent interest in food and alcoholic beverages.A foodie seeks new food experiences as a hobby rather than simply eating out of convenience or hunger."
Thanks Wikipedia! So I am not a foodie. I don't want to eat something just becasue I "should." In fact, I would maybe even call myself picky. I will eat anything, unless its not what I like. For example: store bought cookies. Why the heck would you waste your calories on store bought cookies? Eat a cinnamon roll or a pint of ice cream instead or drink a tub of frosting (have and probably will again!)
Anyway, Ethan and I don't really consider ourselves experimental eaters. We will never just go to a new place without recommendation and don't really understand food hype. Like the whole sushi craze. Why are we all supposed to LOVE sushi and go on sushi dates? I've tried. Don't love it.
Any way, blah blah blah! Get on with it.

I knew that when people go on vacation, they go for the food. Since this was my first beach vacation, in my first new country, I wanted to have all the cliche and touristy pictures that everyone else had.

I decided that I was going to do all the things that I "should." Now lets be clear, no one twisted my arm to eat delicious food, but it was definitely out of my nature. I'm so proud of me.

While in Rocky Point we ate some amazing food and I can totally see why people vacation just to eat! It was so much fun.

The first night, aunt Kay and Sandy went to a town and got fresh fish. We grilled it up and ate it on the patio while the sun set complete with fresh guac and this rice salad that was so crispy. We may have been at home, but it was the nicest meal I've had in like 4.3 years. They got scallops, shrimp the size of my face, and two white fish that I don't remember. I want to say a red snapper and something else that was equally as delicious. I had no idea that I love scallops but I totally love scallops. I totally wish I would have taken a picture. At the time I was so hungry that I just wanted to eat, but this meal was truly incredible.

One night Brian, Sandy, Kay, and I went to a restaurant on the other side of the beach and had some more amazing seafood. I was pushing for Wrecked at the Reef ("home of the worlds greatest beer pong!") but you know. Sacrifices had to be made.

One night Sandy, Kay, and Brian offered to watch the girls while we went on a date. We went to the cutest little restaurant with quite possible the best fried ice cream I have ever had. If we are going to be totally honest, I was also drinking the salsa, but I only got a few stares. We each ended up ordering fajitas which was a big mistake. I kid you not, the amount of food they brought out could have fed an army! Not even a small one at that!  We took so much home. I mean, there were no complaints from the babysitters but still. So! Much! Food!!

While we were on the beach people would walk up and down selling us things. People had all sorts of things from massages to blankets. Most things we passed on, but when the food people approached we attacked them like a pack of wolves. One guy sold us mangoes on a stick with a chili pepper covering and OH MY GOODNESS!!! They were incredible. The difference in flavors were perfect. One guy also took our orders and the next day brought us breakfast burritos, chile rellenos, and tamales. Again amazing.

We went into town a few times and got a couple of treats including Mexican ice cream (the vanilla is brown?), a coconut, and homemade tortillas. It was all delicious.

I've never really cared about what I'm missing out on food wise becasue I never knew what I was missing out on. I have finally seen the light. I will vacation for food from now on!

* not mentioned: the pounds of snacks we brought in from Costco, the delicious french toast casserole Sandy made, the pancakes and berries Ethan made,and the steak and potatoes Ethan grilled. We ate like kings

Speaking of Kings, Ethan ate left over whip cream. It was as graceful as it looks