With the recent news in Puerto Vallarta, it got me thinking of my trip to Sayulita a few years ago. I don’t think any great adventure goes without some sort of wrench in the works. Every great story has some sort of excitement, drama, beauty and passion. I had one of those surf trips to Mexico years ago. I was invited to join and take photos for a surf retreat in Mexico. It was a bit of a spontaneous trip, I had a lot on my plate with work, sorting through some housing issues, I had only just started to find myself in a place of stability and was hesitant about any risks especially after all the struggles through the peak of the pandemic. But it was a fantastic opportunity I didn’t want to miss it. Surfing, photography, travel, tacos, tequila, Mexico…pretty much all of my favourite things. But as Murphy’s law would have it, I had some obstacles to overcome and in the end had one of the most memorable and fantastic experiences with an amazing group of women!
Camera Gear, Covid and Travel Prep
I quickly started to arrange things, I needed to update my camera equipment and had been planning this for a long time but I was saving for that large expense and delayed this update for years. Normally, I would have just brought my current gear but unfortunately my sensor had become damaged. Originally, I had planned to buy a Sony system because that was what my budget allowed and could logically replace my kit for the best value. My Sony photographer friends loved their systems. But for photographers, camera systems are pretty personal. Sony never seemed to sit well with me, too technical I found, I prefer the simplicity of analog as an artist and film enthusiast, so after some persuasion, I decided to really splurge on a Fujifilm system.* This was far out of budget so I decided to rent a telephoto lens for the trip rather than go over budget. In fact it was the first time I had spent that much and on brand new equipment, always opting for used, cheaper gear. Now that I would be bringing close to $10,000 worth of equipment on the trip I had to find insurance that also included theft and purchased it before booking my flight. I also needed medical insurance (including Covid coverage) with my go to insurance broker, a negative test result. So overall, I knew this project would not be beneficial on a financial standpoint and had the risks on covid conditions but it was fun project I was passionate about and needed to expand my surf portfolio so I decided it was worth it. While most people were discouraged from traveling in general at this time, here I was spending a large sum of money for a quick trip to Mexico. My logical conservative side had some guilt, over analyzed and had to cover all the details but my free spirit was like nothing is stopping me living the dream!
I knew I was blessed to travel and lack of covid was more than enough to remind me how lucky I was for such a fun opportunity!
Power outage, hurricane, but Good Swell
When I first arrived hot and sweaty from the busy airport by public transit to Sayulita, there was a short power outage due to some issues in the local infrastructure. All I wanted was a shower after a long trip from Montreal with a layover in Mexico City. I met with my client after walking the town with my heavy gear and met her at her beautiful villa overlooking the ocean. It was worth all the hassle I thought to myself from chilly October in Montreal to the Pacific in Mexico. To my surprise my client had decided to spoil me with a special boutique hotel for the first night, and despite no shower available temporarily, there was to my relief, a mini pool on the top floor open! I unloaded my things in my room at this cute boutique hotel spot called La Petit Hafa and headed upstairs. The sunshine and hot Mexican weather surrounded me as I toured the rooftop, I had the whole place to myself on account of the quiet tourism due to Covid. As I relaxed in the pool I really couldn’t be more grateful for the troubles and blessings that had been laid upon me that day.
The first night a storm was beginning to develop as there were calls for a hurricane nearby. But there was no need for concern as the electricity was back after a few hours and there was no rain but a good light show as I enjoyed some local snacks on the rooftop solo.
Surfers also know a hurricane or storm means big swell is coming too. That beautiful silver lining.
Scoring waves, Sun stroke and a potentially broken nose
It was so amazing to feel the warm water directly on my skin and the freedom of surfing without a wetsuit, but I did run into the trouble I wasn’t familiar with, one being the bikini adjustment was a constant distraction, I was wearing a new top I grabbed on sale before leaving Montreal. My end of season $5 top was a steal and looked great for tanning but I definitely flashed my nipple to a few locals, my paranoia thought I heard “puta” a few times but no one seemed to visibly notice but it maybe would explain why some of the beach boys offered me a few free waves! Either way all the locals were considerate and kind in the water. There was no lack of communication in etiquette and small talk, even made a few friends, some locals that were patient with my mediocre Spanish and some other female tourist surfers. The waves were clean but the time between sets slowly reminded me I didn’t get any sunscreen on my back properly, I had grabbed some Manda organic sun paste from Lunazul but I failed to remember my back. Considering I was laying on my stomach half of my surf session, a few hours turned out to be a foolish kook mistake. I had managed to score a few good waves and although I wanted to stay out longer, my rental was almost finished and so was I. The sun was taking it’s toll and I knew this feeling that borders danger zone from snowboarding. I decided to take a few more waves and then get out. After scoring and charging my best wave of my surf journey, (like really felt like I was killing it), I knew I had to get out. I was satisfied and beaming from that wave but also beaming a red sunburn and what was starting to feel like sun stroke.
Just as I surfed out of the line up and headed towards the beach, a big set came and knocked me down…what did this kook do, yes I forgot to cover my face and head, as I fell the board hit me straight in the face and nose. I was fine but the current and reef section was an unfamiliar challenge for me to get out quickly between waves. I got out and as I walked back towards the shop, I noticed many people staring with open mouths at me. I checked my nipples and they were tucked away, but I noticed the bright red water dripping onto my chest. I lifted my hand to my nose and realized it was bleeding quite profusely. Frustrated with myself but also feeling kinda badass as a surfer since the stares were not from other surfers who would have known it was from a foolish mistake. I brought my board back and ask one of the guys if it was still bleeding. They said no but asked if I was ok. I went next door for a Michelada and some ice to put on my nose. The cute surf shop staff member that had helped me pick my board came over and checked to make sure I was alright, I said I thought it might be broken but nothing bad enough for a doctor visit and was sure it was nothing a cold beer couldn’t fix. (It did take a few months to heal fully but in the end it was fine). The staff between the bar and surf shop were so great and they reminded me of my Moroccan surf instructor friends I missed which gave me a little heartfelt smile.
Check out @lunazulsurfschool for some of the beach vibes in Sayulita.
Food poisoning, Heat Stroke and a Broken Camera
After my bad sunburn, and broken nose thought I was in the clear and looking forward to getting the shots of the surf lessons and yoga sessions as well as our boat tour. The guests had arrived and were an outgoing positive group of ladies. The next day as predicted the hurricane had brought in some big swell. I was still hurting from the day before and the vantage point from our villa that provided a great shot of the waves coming in so I stuck around to take some images and stay in the shade to avoid worsening my sunburn. The next day we had our first surf lesson, I got some great images and was loving celebrating these women take their first waves. The weather was beyond hot in October in Mexico, I tried to stay cool on the beach but at one point even my camera started to malfunction due to the heat, which eventually stopped working altogether (brand new camera at that!) That night we went out for dinner which was amazing but another kook mistake I made was knowingly saw the ceviche wasn’t quite ready to eat and instead of requesting a new one I ate it all…it just tasted too good! So what was next, yep I was sick all night which may have been actually a combination of sun, tequila and under cooked ceviche. Needless to say it was an interesting trip. After that, I managed to enjoy the fabulous women that surrounded me and connect to each other on a deeper level. We shared some tequila, good food and our life stories, the good, the bad, and the ugly. We than continued the week, having a beachside sunset dinner in Punta Mita, an exciting and living catamaran boat trip to nearby Cenotes and jumping off the boat while swimming in front of Puerto Vallarta. I went snorkelling for the first time and really got a chance to travel like I never really had before. The group of women were so kind and it was a really amazing memories to take home. I also went to explore the local scene and local artisans and shops. I wish I had more time there as I started to fall in love with Sayulita, Mexico.
Returning to Canada, Covid Testing, Camera Repair
On my way back after a great but interesting trip I was ready to get home and get some rest from my “vacation”. Of course, this is during the height of travel restrictions and complications for Covid, but I had followed all the rules, paid the $300 PCR test in Mexico (negative thank goodness) and filled my ArriveCan app. As I had travelled from Morocco when all the borders were shut, in and out of California, Vancouver and Montreal since then, I had gotten pretty covid travel savvy in fact I rather enjoyed it as there were no crowds or line ups and lonely staff along the way eager to chat. I had all my papers/documents ready, went through security and customs at all the airports (Puerto Vallarta, Mexico City and finally Trudeau) quite smoothly, even enjoying my last Mexican breakfast and grabbing some quality tequila on my way. When I get to the Canadian customs officer, there is no surprise when she mentions I have been randomly selected for a covid test. Of course, I had. But I wasn’t concerned as I was careful and stayed solo on my return trip and already tested negative in Sayulita.
Sayulita, Mexico – Laidback Surfer vibes
Despite the current issues, I wouldn’t hesitate to visit again. I highly recommend to visit if you love surfing and looking for a laidback community vibe. Read more on the post about Sayulita, Mexico here.
*Disclaimer: We do not take any liability for travel related issues, we recommend you follow government and local authorities when visiting foreign locations or under any political, criminal or weather related issues.
