Saturday February 11

We woke to the sound of trucks driving through puddles so we decided to spend the morning in the library (EntreAmigos) our favourite place in town next to the beach.  By the way, it hasn't rained here in a very long time.  After lunch, we went for a long walk out of San Pancho and north along the road through the jungle in search for the secluded beach someone told us about.  The mimosa and strangler fig trees were monumental and reached close to heaven, and the tropical flowers were magical.  Along the way, in the middle of nowhere, there was a brand new cobblestone street winding its way through the jungle to the top of the mountain.  We decided to see what was up there.  A truck came along and the man stopped, and told us that the street led to his house and 25 other vacant lots ready for buildings.  The lots were priced at $200,000 US.  This sketchy fellow with bulging eyes was the owner of the entire estate and his name was Frank, from Santa Fe.  He was scary!!  We found an old machete along the way so we now have some security just in case Frank returns.  Milla keeps it in her room at night since she offered to be the night watch person.  We returned along the wild San Pancho beach and were mesmerized by the tsunami-like waves that tried to sweep us out into the Pacific.  For supper, we had delicious roast chicken bought at the local KFC.  The day finished with our safe not wanting to cooperate.  It wouldn't open and it had our computer, money, and passports inside.  Susan and I walked over to the owner's house and told him our dilemma.  He said that a man would come on Monday and install bars on the front two windows and open the safe.  (He did arrive and was successful on Monday morning.)

Tsunami in San Pancho

big red flower

Frank's estate

on the road up the mountain

waiting for the next wave