If going to Oaxaca there is a fabulous lending library & Oaxaca events website that give you excellent ideas on events to enjoy. La Jicara had amazing jazz one night & fabulous Latin music the next. Amazing.

We have hit the ground running in Oaxaca. We were here last year and are familiar with the neighborhoods. The street art here is fabulous & fun.

Just as we are leaving the Pacific coast, I saw this cute little red, yellow, & blue bird. Have no idea what it is and have never ever seen this species before.

We have spent the last 6 days in Barra de Navidad -near Manzanillo. South of Puerta Vallarta on the Pacific. The town is sleepy with about 4,000 citizens. The beaches are beautiful as is the surrounding area. It is a fav of Canadian snowbirds. They hike, bike, golf, swim, play pickleball, play music & enjoy life. We walk everywhere & take little water taxis to nearby isles. It seems very safe when wandering around the community. The locals interact with tourists so fun. We eat in the same cafes, eat the same foods, enjoy the same music. Think this might be – because it is a small community. Last night we walked by the Catholic Church / it was full and about 100 were outside – participating – tho standing on the sidewalk. Spiritual compasses pointing in a common direction.

Did I mention the food- ooh la la – amazing fresh fish & perhaps fav grilled shrimp tacos. Margs are made with fresh limes & good tequila- and aren’t margs priced at $3.50 everywhere! Ha!

Ok – now that you have read this far – you are required to not ‘spread the word’ about this fine Pueblo. 😄 we only came here as friends are visiting—-such a sweet move. No politics for a week. Oh my.

I hope everyone who wants to experience a little bit of Mexico gets an opportunity like this.

Cheers!

We are in a very sleepy Oceanside Pueblo. Sleepy as in not a lot of big time commercial spots and yet a vibrant local & tourist community. The cafes have lots of local & tourist customers- not always seen in popular Mexican communities. The prices are very reasonable. Clubs promote music from open mic to local musicians. It makes for a vibrant nightlife & the musicians are having a blast. There is a fishing derby bringing in lots of competitors& excitement. And, we even saw 2 whales in the local harbor. We are having fun meeting others & getting to know the community.

We found amazing food everywhere. Night markets downtown. Tiny alleys near our hotel. Artist Bakery where we waited 2 hours to get in. (Yes, we could leave & come back🫤) And a Michelin rated restaurant that served exquisite ‘peasant’ Korean food.

Three blocks from our Insadong hotel is a fabulous river walk. A peaceful walk along the river with the ability to visit the bustling neighborhoods at street level. Loved this walk and the photos show some of the highlights. Another fav was an outdoor library complete with chairs & bean bags & lots of books. Citizens could hang out & read. Love this concept!

One of Seoul’s many royal palaces has a ceremonial changing of the guard. A ceremony lasting about 30 minutes.

Japan has amazing cherry blossoms- Sakura. Seoul’s climate gives it an abundance of spring blooms as well.

And Seoul’s Royalty has multiple palaces in the city. These photos are one of them.

Greg found fast friends in the Seoul Pickleball community. This dedicated court was opened 4 days before our arrival by an enterprising young woman. A beautiful court embraced by enthusiastic players. So fun.

We found these interesting public art pieces on the way to the pickleball courts.