Nothing Days

What a weird schedule we have had here in Punta Negro with our Aunty Jane. We wake up between 8 and 10, and then lie on the couch for a couple of hours. We make plans, to go to the grocery store maybe, or go surfing, but don't leave the house until the afternoon, that is, if we leave at all. Our lunches are at three, our breakfasts at noon, so dinner doesn't usually happen until 8 or 9 at night. By the time we have finished eating, it's normally pretty late, and the day isn't even done yet. We clean up the table, and wash all the dishes, before taking one last dip in the pool and/or showering. Of course after showering it's time for bed, so we get into our pajamas and curl up with Aunty Jane. Then we watch a couple episodes of the Big Bang Theory, to put ourselves to sleep. By then it's usually midnight, or maybe even 2. We wake up in the morning, and it's between 8 and 10, and we lie on the couch for a little while. We make plans to go to the grocery store, or maybe to go surfing, but don't leave until the late afternoon, that is if we leave at all...

Maya

Aunts

Only an aunt can give hugs like a mother... Keep secrets like a sister... and laugh with you like a best friend. - Unknown

My aunt and I can't talk without bursting out into laughter, she is super nice and doesn't have any rules! Her house is like kids heaven!

If you want to laugh, look on YouTube and search corn challenge gone wrong!

Mira

Soul Food

As I've mentioned before:

Meeting up with people you know, people you've know for more than a few years, is food for the soul.

Nadia

Hanging with my sister Jane in Punta de Mita, Mexico

After what my sister Jane said has been an interminable wait since the start of our trip last June, we're finally all together at Jane's seaside house and art studio in Punta de Mita, Mexico. Jane lives down a a non-discript dirt road in house that has it's own private beach and which she's transformed into a beautiful studio where she shows her artwork (mobiles made from driftwood, beautiful mirrors, natural jewelry, handmade furniture and much more). 

Since we've arrives she's had us laughing with stories of her past few years in Mexico, and much to my chagrin, has kept Maya and Mira laughing about 'Papa childhood stories', which they can't get enough of. 

We're here for a couple of weeks and are taking things easy. The girls start the day doing their schoolwork while I go for a run. This is followed by a late breakfast then talk about what to do for the day. For example, today we didn't get out of the house until after 12 and took a drive to see a village where Jane and her husband Chris used to live until a year ago called Los Demarcos. Unfortunately, Chris in the US right now so we won't get to see him on this trip. Nadia has also traveled to Akumal so it's an all Maroni affair in Punta de Mita.

Yesterday we also had a late start and went surfing in the afternoon followed by a trip to resort down the beach from Jane's house. The place is way out of our price range so we only walked the premises after getting permission at the front desk and left after 30 minutes. The place is huge but it was empty.

A couple of days ago we took a boat trip to some islands offshore. I brought my fishing gear in hopes of trolling a bit on the way out to the islands but the captains refused due to his lack of a fishing permit. Of course, on the way out to the islands there were fish jumping everywhere while I looked at my unused rod and gear sitting in the bottom of the boat. Sometimes life can be cruel. Fortunately, today in Los Demarcos, Jane found her old friend who has a small boat and he's agreed to take me out fishing on Monday. This worldwide trip has been almost a complete bust for fishing so I hope to redeem myself a bit in Mexico and Hawaii by bringing in some fish.

Cheers, Rob

Sister Jane

Jane's living room with artwork 

View of Jane's private beach from her veranda

Jane and the girls 

Blue footed Boobie on Marietta Island

Jane, Mira and Maya on boat in sea cave

La Tranquilla Resort, down the beach from Jane's house

Jane and the girls along the coast

The Marrietas

I look over to my right as the captain exclaims that we have arrived. There are probably 30 or 40 people floating in orange life jackets. More people are jumping into the water and swimming past the buoys, toward shore. I strap my fluorescent life vest to my waist, and dive overboard after Papa. Mira and Aunty Jane follow. Slowly, we make our way towards the rock face, along with the rest of our boat. Once the cliffs loom overhead, it is time to brave the tunnel, and swim to the beach. Jane had said that the last time she was here, the current was incredibly strong, and getting through the tunnel was a challenge. Luckily, this time the hardest part is avoiding the neon blobs exiting the hidden beach. Although, that's not to say that the current, between swells, is easy to swim against. We swim farther from the open air behind us, into the dark. Well, it's not really dark since the tunnel isn't too long, and there is sunshine ahead of us. We reach the beach sooner than I expected. In what is probably, at most, 50 meters across, and only 10 wide, are hundreds of people. Some are still in the mandatory life jackets, others have tossed them aside, into the sand. We are trapped, like mice in a hole. Cliffs are on all sides, except were the tunnel is, or where the few caves are. Having time to spare, and for lack of better things to do, we decide to explore one of the caves. As soon as I enter the cave, my body automatically recoils. The air is intolerable, maybe even toxic. Before Papa even has a chance of smelling the monstrosity that is this cave air, I leave and warn him of the danger. We were told earlier not to go in the caves and not to touch the rocks, but now I think they just say that to prevent the two caves from become the latrines. It's funny, everyone around us is laughing and smiling and taking photos, we are just standing on the beach, wrinkling our noses at everything. The amount of space is so tiny, and thousands of people come here everyday. The ecosystems just can't take it. The islands will being shut down on May 9th. Only for three months though, so I'm not sure how much of a difference it will make.  Oh well. It's cool to think we are on one of the last boats out to these islands. After swimming back to the boat, our captain drives us around the island. Despite the swells, and the shallow water, he hugs the shore, making sure to go into every little nook and cranny,
take us into caves and tunnels, and give us great views of the birds and the rocks. All in all it was a great trip, even if the water and the caves weren't the cleanest.

- Maya

Pets

I think pets are a wonderful Idea because they keep people's minds off stuff and you can do stuff like this:

And, as long as you cuddle them and never ever hurt them, they will cuddle and never ever hurt you. If you love them as much and my aunt Jane, then they will be so spoiled and do hilarious things. Pets are good, as long as you are good to your pet.

Mira

Jane Maroni Organic Designs

            In Mexico, art is everywhere, in restaurants, in galleries, even on the streets. Here in Punta de Mita, the art happens to be in my Aunty Jane's house. She is an artist. Her house is beautifully situated on a hill above the beach. Inside there are piles of driftwood, shells, and seeds, shelves of fish and dolphin bones, and even one whale bone. Most of which will be incorporated into her artwork, although some she just keeps for herself. She found most of it on her morning walks on the beach. Her and my Uncle Chris work together to create amazing mobiles, furniture, and wall hangings. She designs most of the pieces, and he puts them together. They are a great team, as all of the artwork is absolutely beautiful. In fact, if I could I would have their pieces hanging all over my house. If any of you would like some of this amazing artwork, visit my aunt's website, http://www.janemaroniorganicdesigns.com , or her Facebook page, Jane Maroni Organic Designs.

- Maya

 One of my favorites - made with driftwood and old shells.

 A wall hanging with dolphin bones and drift wood.

Another beautiful mobile - again with driftwood and shells.