WeAreTraveling.com, June, Part 1

Days - 307 to 336
Total Miles Traveled this month - 416
Total Miles Traveled to June 30/05 - 7,820
Mexican States we have visited: 15 of 32, see map

We did a lot of traveling to a lot of places this month. For this part of the travel log we leave the state of Sinaloa and enter the state of Nayarit. We travel along the coast to San Blas and Aticama. Also, did you notice the new map link for the Mexican States above?

Travelling towards San Blas, Nayarit, Mexico

Doesn't that hill look like a forehead, a nose and a chin :) ? Also, note the mango orchard on the right. Mangos are 'king' in this part of Mexico, the orchards are seen virtually everywhere.

Travelling towards San Blas, Nayarit, Mexico

We are starting to see more and more mules on the side of the road. Often they are tied up to a post to graze for the day. We also see many that are not tied up, and you have to be very careful not to hit them. The mules and cows are another reason, don't travel at night!

Travelling towards San Blas, Nayarit, Mexico

San Blas, Nayarit, Mexico

We had heard so many people say "Don't stay in San Blas, the mosquito's are terrible!" We were planning to bypass this area all together and head south as quickly as we could. However, as circumstances would have it, we were travelling that day and it got late, and we had no choice but to stop in San Blas. We parked for the night and fully intended on scurrying away the next morning.

However, we noticed that when we let the dog out no bugs came in, the town looked interesting...so what the heck, we headed out the next morning for a walk, bug spray in hand. Well, thank goodness we did, it was a great little town.

Above is the town square in San Blas.

San Blas, Nayarit, Mexico

The newer church in the foreground and the very much older church in the background.

San Blas, Nayarit, Mexico

Inside the newer church.

San Blas, Nayarit, Mexico

Inside the older church. On the floor of the church was an inlaid stone with the inscription, '1806, Los Frieles'.

San Blas, Nayarit, Mexico

This plaque on the outside of the church, explains the importance of this town as the spot where Junipero Serra left to begin the the settlement of the California's.

San Blas, Nayarit, Mexico

The wonderful bright & lively market in San Blas.

San Blas, Nayarit, Mexico

The Carniceria (butcher shop) in the market.

San Blas, Nayarit, Mexico

The Pescaderia (fish shop) in the market.

San Blas, Nayarit, Mexico

Sometimes, it just seems to be the right thing to do.

San Blas, Nayarit, Mexico

Although you can't see much of it in this photo, the 'Ferreteria' is the local hardware store.

San Blas, Nayarit, Mexico

This lady was a pro at filleting fish, she was great fun to watch. Here, she is cutting the fish head in half using her machete and wooden mallet.

San Blas, Nayarit, Mexico

The inner courtyard of a beautiful hotel.

San Blas, Nayarit, Mexico

Take note of the beautiful tile work, the painted wrought iron and the two adorable plant holders in this hotel.

San Blas, Nayarit, Mexico

San Blas, Nayarit, Mexico

The waterfront always seems to have some sort of activity going on and we often like to visit these areas.

San Blas, Nayarit, Mexico

San Blas, Nayarit, Mexico

When we were leaving San Blas, we noticed their old road and bridge...we are glad they decided to built a new one! :)

Travelling towards Aticama, Nayarit, Mexico

We get quite a kick out of all of the old, abandoned vehicles in Mexico. Take note of the one on the side of the road. What a hoot.

Aticama, Nayarit, Mexico

The beautiful seaside square in Aticama.

Aticama, Nayarit, Mexico

This is Playa Amor RV Park.

Aticama, Nayarit, Mexico

Aticama, Nayarit, Mexico

We went for a walk up the street from the RV Park and saw a few things we think we may have forgotten to mention.

The first is this shrine. All over Baja and Mainland Mexico we see these shrines on the side of the road. We believe they indicate that someone's loved one died in this location. The shrines are there as a memorial, but also, probably, to encourage people to drive carefully. Some shrines are very simple and plain while others are extremely elaborate and ornate. We'll show you more of the later...

Aticama, Nayarit, Mexico

The other thing we don't think we have mentioned is how they advertise that their homes, land and businesses are 'For Sale'. Most of time, they paint dollar signs and a sign saying 'Se Vende' (For Sale), and contact information, right on the building itself. Again, we got quite a kick out of this, it's a little different than we were accustomed to in Canada!

Aticama, Nayarit, Mexico

This is back at the Playa Amour RV Park.

Aticama, Nayarit, Mexico

Aticama, Nayarit, Mexico

A lot of people have pointed out and given us credit for how we take pictures of ourselves. Thank you again. Well, how about this one? Not bad eh? We were trying to get creative.

Aticama, Nayarit, Mexico

Playa Amour has a huge property and they are doing extensive work on beautifying and repairing it. There was damage done by a past hurricane, and there is considerable erosion happening on the cliff by the waters edge. They are doing a beautiful job.

Aticama, Nayarit, Mexico

Aticama, Nayarit, Mexico

Aticama, Nayarit, Mexico

Isn't this beautiful. Notice the two hearts at the top of the archway? Oh, and look, there's a sunset :).