Valle de Guadalupe...

 I'm officially INTERNATIONAL!

47 years old and I traveled outside of the US for the 1st time in my life!  And what better way to pop my out of the country cherry than to celebrate a milestone birthday of one of my dearest friends.  She put this whole thing together and called it "Viva 50!"  T wanted to share a favorite travel spot of hers with some of her closest ladies and a wonderful few days away on a wonderful adventure came to pass.

There was originally 9, but one had to back out last minute.  The trip was planned Fri through Tue.  Some leaving Monday, Julie and myself coming in on Saturday.  I couldn't have had a more perfect travel companion! 

A few months ago I got myself a Passport Card (didn't need the book since I can't fly), started a round of HEP shots, put the travel notification on my bank, called Verizon to make sure I was good, and bought myself some Baja Car Insurance for the days we were there.  I was all set!

Julie and I headed out around 7am on Saturday with way too much bottled water and had a rainy trip down.  Breezed into Mexico with no problems.  Was not surprised but always a bit jarring to see your 1st guard with an AR rifle as we drove through.  Then along the coast for a very pretty drive into the lovely Valle.

The air bnb we stayed at was super funky and interesting.  Lots of artwork and sculptures everywhere.  Built super trippy - lots of round structures.  And the view was gorgeous.  There are 3 places to stay on this property (and they're building a 4th) and we had them all.

Yeah that's a jacuzzi with a beautiful view!

So pretty!

Not a bad view right?!

Apparently the hostess had left us a couple bottles of wine and Patti made us all wine glasses so I was ready to get started on the vacation!

Aww thanks Patti!

Ready to go!

Saturday we headed out to a winery before the infamous Deckmans.  Now one thing I want to point out that was almost everywhere including driving to our air bnb - was you basically were off roading all the time.  It's a little unnerving if you're not prepared for it.  I was glad I was in my big truck.  Myself and Jaz did all the driving all weekend, and she had an SUV and struggled.  It was certainly something. So the winery we hit up was full so we landed at Xaroma.  Talk about a happy accident!  I must say one of my favorite meals all weekend was here.  We thought we'd do a wine tasting and have a snack before dinner.  The one thing I recognized on the menu was Cerviche so I ordered that.  What I got was not cerviche but something way friggin better!  So yum!!

Yeah, that's crickets in there they're eating...I couldn't do it

Jaz, Jenny, T, Patti, Julie, Me, Jill and Erika

My 1st purchase!

I have no idea what is happening here but it truly captures the essence of me and Jules!

Best Ceviche EVER!

After this was our fancy dinner at Deckmans.  T had been here before and the Chef has a Michelin Star!  We did what's called a tasting menu and it was a pre-fix of so many amazing courses! It was SO DAMN GOOD!

This was just the starter!

Oysters...OMG

Oh

My

GAWD

In

Heaven

This was my favorite - a Crudo with Goose Barnicles.  Seriously one of the best things I've ever eaten

Clams with Gooey Duck

Mussels (the only thing not so good) and a sea bass on an onion puree.  That onion puree was RIDICULOUS

Bone Marrow!  Never had it and it was yum!  The seasoning on the bread you put the marrow on was insane

Terri wastes no meat

Lamb.  Cooked perfectly

This dessert was a panna cotta custard thing with some kind of hazelnut delish inside and I wanted to die

Deckmans Cat!

Lavender was everywhere

The walk to the bathroom!  How pretty right?!

The wine was called Double D...you can imagine what Julie is doing

One of the courses was taking too long....

Sunday our day started at La Cocina de Dona Esthela which is one of the places that Anthony Bourdain says is the best in the World!  Lemme tell ya - it was hella good!

They just gave you this.  And that cheese is insane

Loved the coffee mugs!

Might be favorite picture

Loved the name carved in the table

Random farm outside

 Next up was Cuatros Cuatros where all but 2 of us were going zip lining.  Now - I so would have gone because I really think I could zip line and not get triggered, but the ride up you have to take and the suspension bridge knocked me out of the running - those are def two triggers so Patti and I spent oh about 3 hours or so just drinking wine and eating cheese which was just fine by me! This place was gorgeous and if I ever do go back I'd want to re-visit because there was a lot to see!  There's these really cool little room things that stick off the side of the mountain you can stay in - So want to do that!  There's a restaurant, winery and a bunch of stuff.  And it's super pretty! Lovely place to hang out for the afternoon catching up with Patti.

The bathroom sink was in a pond!

My kind of bathroom sign

I know where I'm going

Where Patti and I chilled all day

Um. Yes.

This was the zip lining crew.  So jealous!

On our way home we picked up LEGIT street tacos.  That was something I def wanted to do was to get street tacos in Mexico and they were seriously the best tacos I've ever had in my damn life!

Monday we had brunch at Cuarzo which was delish!

 

 

Bloody Mary

Mango Margarita

My breakfast - Prosciutto on Avocado toast with a perfectly poached egg

The prettiest Sangria I've ever seen

What's that between my feet?

Of course it's a dog

After that we said goodbye to the 4 girls heading out on Monday.  It was sad to see them go - along with our two spanish speakers!  But the remaining foursome off roaded to this stunning winery called Las Nubes that overlooked the Valle and was just stunning.  We ended up staying there the rest of the day.  Did two tastings, had some snacks and came back to our place with wine. Jorge was an absolute delight and put up with our shenanigans as we told us about the wines.  They even had a couple of winery dogs!

Sunbathing pooches

Our entire afternoon

Just gorgeous

His name was Shoe

We had to take a picture with Jorge

In between the above destinations we spent a lot of time just hanging out at the bnb - laughing, bonding, crying, eating, drinking and enjoying the trip.  One night Terri gave us the sweetest speech telling us how each of us represent a piece of her - like her Horcruxes.  We all cried and felt so special.  When she got to me she said not only did I represent this for her, but for probably all the girls there - and that I was her heart.  I of course burst into tears.  It was so touching and special.

Jill made us a fire one night

Always gotta get my coffee shot in

Jaz is the O.G.

Hi Patti!

This fish pic was perfect for a Pisces Trifecta shot!

Fishy friends forever!

The night of T's super touching speech

Jaz was taking Polaroids and leaving them around

Julie whipped this up with our leftovers on the last night - Um Yum!!!

On our last day we got up and headed out.  Sadly this was not the best part.  We sat at the border line for 3 1/2 hours!  Everytime someone came by trying to sell puppies I burst into tears.  I think I said "No gracias" a thousand times.  I did run from my truck at one point to pee in a slightly questionable area since my bladder was about to burst - so yea...did that.  LOL.  

Last morning!

My truck is so muddy!!!

Not Ok

But up until that last drive out, and maybe the constant off roading, oh and the fact that you can't put TP in the toliet (so weird and kind icky but their septic system is terrible) - I had a fantastic time!  I ate some truly amazing food, had some good wine and most of all spent precious moments and made some fantastic wonderful memories with the most amazing women!  Happy Birthday Terri!!