Phew – what a busy week!  Jonathan and Kendrianne were with us until yesterday and we managed to squeeze a lot into 7 days.  Paul was able to take some time off too to hang out with them and we had a wonderful mix of relaxation, water activities (stand up paddle boards, kayaks, swimming with whale sharks!), tennis and some really great meals both out and at home.

Now, we start our countdown until Nicky and Phil come down in March! Woohoo!

The house is progressing everyday. The Palapa is up, the walls are all plastered, and there is even a first coat of paint on the ceiling!

It is hard to believe we have been here 4 months already, and are starting to talk about coming back to Vancouver for the summer early May. Wow.

Choosing wood for the beams and the inside stairs

and perhaps some stone

the patio is almost complete

hanging out with our neighbour Ed

Inspecting the pool steps

Group photo on Ed's top balcony

Visiting tennis pro shows us some of her moves

"The Palapa Guys" (soon to be a mini series)

SUP!

After a hard paddle, there's nothing like a Peyote beer

Lunch at "Christy's" house

"where do you want me to put it"

Balandra Beach

Bloody big hole in our driveway...

Humpback whale in La Paz bay

Kendrianne is a little sceptical about the 30ft fish

they survived!

Having a rough day?

Jorge mixing the best margarita in town

J & K had such a good time, they bought us a boat

this goes in the big hole in the driveway

Valerie, Leanne, Eve and Fod at the Carnaval

Sunset off the Malecon

The same guy Leanne had her photo with on Saturday night!

Santos on top of the roof

Rendering the walls one bucket at a time

The plasterers are characters!

Nice hat - made out of an empty plaster bag

Promoting drugs - at Pharmacias Similares (the same but cheaper!)

Terry accompanies the artist 'Batik'

We finally had to try the hot dog stand on the highway near home

Hot Dog 'con todo' totally hits the spot

Team 'PF squared' - Paul Freeman & Paul Fothergill

Leanne and Eve take the local 'colectivo' bus

This bus stops for gas!

The view from Ed's patio

We posted the photos first this time. They pretty much speak for themselves. It's great living here.
That is all.

Tecolote Beach

Taken from the deep end!

 This week was all about hiking, eating, and La Paz Carnaval!  The photos tell the story. 

The work on the house continues - it is about the outside spaces right now - the patio, the pool, the outside kitchen…. we hit the tile store tonight to make some decisions for the bathrooms.. a bit overwhelming but fun!

We hiked the trail between two beautiful beaches on Saturday with our pals Terry and Valerie - the weather was a little overcast (oh no!) but perfect for a hike. Amazing to have these beaches all to ourselves…

That’s it for this week - check out the photos for the full story.

Jonathan and Kendrianne will be here in 9 sleeps…just saying….

Zumba in the hood. (Shame Paul is just off camera)

Mexican Typography #2

It's still a mystery which one of the workers made this

Leanne & Terry

Looking down at Tecolote Beach

Revolutionary graffiti

Cocktails on the Malecon... anything you want...

Carne asada (Phil Cowan?)

Lots of candied fruit

Carnaval Saturday Night

Leanne with a moose (and a mexican wrestler photo bombing)

Huarache con carne asada.... muy bueno

The Carnaval King (and Queen?)

Brilliant tuba player

The actual Queen of the Carnaval

Carnaval power supplied by street lights!