May 8, 2022

Got up early this morning and headed to the Oakland Airport for our trip to Loreto. This will be our third time to the Villa del Palmar but the first time we are going as members. We bought a time share in 2016 and haven't used it yet. We have lots of points! The plan was to take our family but it has never quite materialized for a variety of reasons. We flew uneventfully to LAX where we will catch our connection to Loreto. We have a layover here which ended up being closer to three hours, due to plane delays. Flight delays are part of the script since Covid and it is impossible to travel without making peace with the possibility. Finally arrived in Loreto and stood in the awful customs line. Everything in Loreto slows down and customs is no exception. Took us a couple of hours to get through the line. Finally made it to the shuttle and arrived at Villa del Palmar at about 4:30 - 9.5 hours since we left our house this morning. But all is well. The weather is beautiful. We got checked in ok. We had that moment when they wanted to sign us up for a "Member Upgrade" promising us they wouldn't sell us anything. We know better since they are promising all kinds of discounts if you do the presentation. David told our host that we were not interested in a very firm manner. She got the message. :)

Checked in and are completely astounded by beautiful room. They have us a free upgrade to a one bedroom and the room is just amazing. It looks like nobody has ever stayed here. Headed over to one of our favorite places and had lunch. Everything is just like we remembered and it is so beautiful and relaxing. After lunch, we spent sometime at the beach, walking in the water and just chatting. Rested and recharged the rest of the afternoon until dinner. The food is all delicious. We are dedicated to just relaxing and resting this week. Spending time with each other and restoring ourselves. 

May 9, 2022

I'm always up before David when we travel and today is no exception. Except I slept almost eight hours! My Fitbit gave me a high score too. I am doing all the things I never have time to do at home. Working on French for our upcoming trip to France. Writing for my Storyworth book. Playing brain games to my hearts content. Spent a couple of hours with these things this morning and then headed over the the gym to workout. My heart is heavy this morning. I'm trying to reconcile Erika and Jenni's separation and everything it means to our family and to me personally. At the same time, I'm so concerned about Erika and the kids. Jenni's new love is living in the house with her and Erika and Erika is supporting everyone. I worry about the kids having to share their parents with yet another two children. I ended up exchanging a few messages with Erika. I'm trying to communicate with her without putting more pressure on her. I feel like I fail miserably most of the time and it leaves our communication feeling stunted and forced, unlike the easy and open communication we have always had. But I have faith this is short term and we will get through it. After I finished working out, I sat by the pool and listened to music. Tears streaming down my face as songs that I love healed my soul. Who I am, what I believe and what I think I need to make me happy are all cracking and changing and the process is far from enjoyable. But it is necessary and I am trying to surrender. 

We didn't do too much today. Spent some more time at the beach and in the pool. The day just goes by and it feels wonderful. Ate three times today and felt like it was way too much food! They did the play Grease outside tonight. It was mostly dancing with a soundtrack. We watched a bit of it. Drinking more than I do at home but I've been sleeping so well. 

May 10, 2022

More of the same. The lovely same. Woke up pretty late again. I've been getting almost eight hours of sleep every night and my body feels like it needs it. Walked over and got coffee and came back to do all my stuff that I've been enjoying so much. French, writing, brain games, etc. Headed over the the gym and went running on the treadmill. I just can't make myself run in this heat. There is no shade anywhere and I would have to carry water. Ugh. Just decided to make the treadmill work. It was a really good run and I enjoyed it once I adjusted to the treadmill. Same thing after. Pool time with music and relaxation. Today, we didn't eat breakfast and it was a good choice. Just ate lunch and dinner. Much better. We rented paddle boards today and went out on the water. It was pretty breezy and standing up was difficult. My first time up I went over into the water almost immediately. But I was determined to conquer and finally did a decent job of standing up. It took Herculean effort to paddle back in to the shore because of the wind. David gave up on standing completely. Tried once and decided it was not for him. I had a good time but I'm not sure David felt the same. There was a woman by the beach who got stung by a stingray. That did not look fun. We are being careful and dragging our feet when we are walking in the water. The water is so warm. It is actually hot where it is really shallow. But it is lovely and clear. 

Had a wonderful dinner. Tonight they did some kind of Mexican show with a lot of dancing. Before and after, there is a guy singing outside who is quite awful. I'm trying not to let it bother me too much as he butchers a lot of songs I love. 

David and I are spending so much time together. Enjoying each other. Laughing and talking about everything and anything. Reminds me how much I love this man and how lucky I am. So lucky. 

May 11, 2022

We had hoped to do a boat excursion today but they are all full. We booked one for tomorrow. Unfortunately, they notified us within a couple of hours that it would be too windy tomorrow and the next day. We booked for Saturday hoping the wind will cooperate and we can go out snorkeling.

The day went much the same with the lovely do nothing theme. Worked out again but really did nothing else except whatever we wanted. Spent some time by the pool. So nice. We are both very relaxed without an agenda. We didn't even make it down to the beach during the day. 

It was a BBQ Beach Party tonight so the main area was really quiet. We had our favorite dinner ever in the main restaurant and were almost the only people there. Walked down to the beach after. The sunset was beautiful. There was a band playing rock music on the beach. It was a lot of fun. We danced a bit and listened a while. The warm breezes with a full moon overhead makes you feel like you are in an alternate reality. But so nice. 

May 12, 2022

Another completely do nothing day. We puttered around with all the things we enjoy. It's so nice just sitting on the patio and feeling the breeze. I spent time with French, writing for Storyworth and playing brain games. Worked out for a couple of hours including running on the treadmill and mobility. 

We took a very long walk on the beach in the afternoon and talked and talked. It is so therapeutic having David in my life who allows me to regurgitate the things that cause me pain over and over. I'm grateful. I'm suffering so much over the change with Erika and Jenni separating. I feel more emotionally distant from Erika than I ever have and it is difficult to navigate. So many losses and they just run circles in my head. Trying to find healing and allow life to just be as it is - with whatever joys and challenges it presents. 

Ate dinner in the fancy restaurant tonight. Everything is so beautiful.

May 13, 2022

We've been trying to get out hiking reasonably early to escape the heat and we finally did it this morning. The views were beautiful at the beginning and breathtaking at the end. The rest of it was pretty hot, dusty and "unbeautiful". It is hard to find a green thing anywhere in Loreto. The mountains have their own beauty and remind me a lot of the mountain ranges I grew up in. But I prefer lush green foliage, without a doubt. 

We spent the rest of the day hanging around the pool, reading and chatting. Wonderful day. I feel like I could handle a month of these. 

May 14, 2022

We finally got our boat tour today. Headed off to Carmen Island, Danzanita Island and snorkeling at about 9:00 am. The snorkeling was really great. The first stop had tons of tropical fish. Felt like you were swimming in an aquarium. At one point, I saw a dolphin jump out of the water just a short distance from me. It was so cool. The second stop was not as plentiful in colorful fish but there was a school of sardines that was pretty incredible. It was like a wall of fish, thousands and thousands of fish. We saw dolphins several times. The water and mountains are beautiful. And the turquoise clear water is beyond description. It doesn't seem real, even when you are swimming in it. Just exquisite. 

Came back and ate lunch as the box lunch provided didn't really qualify as food in our estimation. I was so tired after lunch, which has happened to me several times here. I felt like I couldn't stay upright and ended up taking a nap! So unusual for me. Spent the afternoon by the pool. So nice. 

Had a nice fish dinner tonight. We are mentally gearing up for our return home tomorrow. I feel like I'm not ready. It has been so nice to be away and relax, no schedules or chores. What a privileged gift. 

May 15, 2022

Up at my usual 6:30 but slept great. We will be leaving in a few hours and I hope to get a run in before we go. It has been a wonderful time.