Yelapa, a sleepy little fishing village on the south end of Bahia De Banderas (my home for 4.5 years), on the west coast of Mexico, fringed by steep jungle laden mountains and deep aqua blue Pacific Ocean, the star of the bay. It is considered an island by the locals due to the fact that there are no roads that lead here, boat access is the only way. True paradise that has not been bottled up like most other destinations and sold to the masses.
The view looking out to the sea from Yelapa.
Jaxx the traveling dog (and my best friend).
Only eighteen years ago they received power, giving this little pueblo the ability to share its wonder with tourist on a larger scale. This is one of the last unclaimed locations on this coastline, just a short boat ride and you are in the bustling metropolis of Puerto Vallarta which is totally claimed and industrialized. In Yelapa the people live as they have for hundreds of years, no sounds of the city, no taxis to take you to your destination, just donkeys and fluffy yellow beaches to chill on.
This paradise has been an escape from reality for myself and my friends for years now, so when my favorite people informed everyone they would elope in our beautiful little getaway, we were beyond excited!
One of the most important aspects of my travels are the relationships that have been made along the way. As the old saying goes "Friendships are for a reason, a season, or a lifetime" and when traveling you are exposed to so many people in so many different ways. I never expected to know someone so deeply after only spending hours or days in their presence but somehow they were placed in my path to learn, love, respect, or avoid.
I am so fortunate to have created so many lifetime friendships that have contributed to my personal growth and filled my heart with love. Nia and Michael have been a massive part of this fortune. Time to go to Yelapa for the wedding!
The bride and groom.
We started our journey in La Cruz De Huanacaxtle on the North end of the bay. Mike and Nia went above and beyond to make sure this was a memorable experience for all, so naturally they hired the largest yacht available to take all of the friends and family across the bay. It was amazing, Chica Mega Yacht is 70ft long and 40ft wide! Gil, our captain, was an absolute blast and kept the vibe cruisy all while bringing Patron Tequila shots in droves.
Chica Mega Yacht
Our local surf legend Jackie.
Wale just off the bow!
We were elated to spot a Humpback whale just off the bow of the boat as we approached Yelapa. From December to late April we are lucky enough to have the largest concentration of Humpback wales on the west coast of Mexico. They migrate here to have their offspring, teach them to swim, feed, and prepare for their journey north to mate again. We are so happy they chose the Bay of Banderas as their birthing grounds!
Once we arrived on land it was time to relax and get everyone acquainted with the area. Myself and close friends had been here many times but the majority of the wedding party have never been so it was fun to show them the area.
The kids are so sweet here its hard not to get them lollipops!
The river that spills into the ocean from the jungle.
That evening we all met up at the most amazing restaurant in Jalisco, Mexico of which I believe is deserving of a Michelin Star. Los Abuelos is a family owned and operated seafood restaurant in Yelapa and have been blowing peoples minds since day one. I wish I had more photos to share but when you receive your plate here the last thing on your mind is taking out your camera. They serve everything freshly made to order, from smoked Marlin to Octopus chimichangas. You can hear grandma in the back slapping together fresh tortillas and grilling them in numbers that would make a young employees head hurt. The margaritas are artisanal and the seafood is caught just out front. It was the perfect place for a rehearsal dinner!
Finally it was time for the wedding. The morning was very relaxed and there was an absence of anxiety or nerves from either sides of the family. This was by far the most chilled out wedding I have ever been to, sure the copious amounts of margaritas and great food had a little bit to do with that. However, everything felt natural and in place so to speak, all there was to do, have a great time with amazing friends and family and enjoy watching two love birds take each others vows.
It must have been two hours before the ceremony and the groom shot up the mountainside with a few other guys to jump off rocks at a secret swimming pool atop a waterfall. Not a normal affair in this situation but we are by far not normal! To say you were doing gainers off a boulder in paradise two hours before your wedding is nothing short of legendary. Mike is for sure a legend in the making!
We were lucky to get the groom back in one piece and get him dressed, Nia (the bride) was way ahead of the curve, beautiful as ever and enjoying champagne with her brides maids. The ceremony commenced...
The wedding was a magical event filled with love and laughter. To think this was all planned to happen in 2020 and got canceled due to the Corona virus. It was a magnificent come back and to be honest, was the first event I attended since the pandemic hit. This was exactly what myself and others needed to progress our hope of recovery and some sort of normality after the "year from hell". There is nothing quite like having your friends together and enjoying life to its fullest, something we all may have taken for granted pre covid.
I hope all of you in hive land get to enjoy your families and friends in these following months. Hug them and cherish the time you get to be in their presence. You never know if that liberty might be taken away!
Thank you for stopping by and as usual I look forward to sharing more! Cheers