We have landed at Posada Olivio, a small cabana located on a hillside between the small beach towns of Mazunte and San Augustinillo. Surrounded by native plants, the cabana and several other accommodations were created, crafted and built by two Italians, Marco and Rebecca, who immigrated to Mexico eight years ago.
The lush, terraced gardens on the property are abundant with local plants, flowers, trees, bees, birds and butterflies and graced with creative stonework, secluded sitting areas and pathways.
The colorful two room cabana contains an open-air main living area and kitchen sheltered with a massive, thatched roof, which is a common design in this hot, humid environment. The bedroom is enclosed with screened windows that open toward the sea to catch the breeze. A small bathroom/shower is attached, cool water only.
Life is more rustic here – All food must be stored in closed plastic bins or in the refrigerator to keep the critters away in our open- air kitchen. The resident iguana frequently stops by for a visit. A hammock is our favorite hanging out place in the main living area. A floor fan helps to circulate air in the heat of the day and is moved to the bedroom for night-time cooling. Sleeping within a mosquito net and only a sheet is like camping.
The main mode of transportation here is the moto and the moto garage is a busy place.
Once a week we take a bag of laundry to the local lavenderia and pick up clean and neatly folded clothes for 50 pesos ($2.50) in the afternoon.
Water delivery is frequent as the local water is not potable or used for brushing teeth. All produce must be washed in Microdyn and rinsed in clean water before use. Toilet paper goes only in the waste basket, not down the toilet ad water is conserved, so no frequent flushing. Organic kitchen waste is separated for compost.
Our days consist of coffee and breakfast at the cabana, a ten-minute walk to our favorite swimming and snorkeling cove for a morning swim, walking playa San Augustinillo and a second cooling swim before purchasing supplies and returning to the cabana for lunch and down time (reading, writing or a siesta) during the heat of the day.
A late afternoon swim, beach walk and stop for a cocktail or savory ceviche or a shrimp cocktail at one of the beach side palapas finishes the day before heading uphill to the cabana.
