Punta Mita is a resort town on the Pacific coast of Nayarit, Mexico, a spear-shaped peninsula surrounded on three sides by white sand beaches, Pacific Ocean waters and lush tropical flora. This small village is home to many hotels, several golf courses, pristine surfing beaches, and a sleepy Mexican pueblo.

The word Mita is from the Quechua word mit'a which means work week to pay for state taxes that was part of the mandatory public service in the society of the Inca Empire. This system was modified and intensified by the Spanish colonial government, creating the encomienda system during the Spanish colonization of the Americas, whereby conquistadors were granted the towns of the indigenous people they conquered. The conquistadors, known as encomenderos, were able to tax these people and summon them for labor.

It was a rough night for me in this warm humid climate and the rain does not stop with the rising sun. It has been raining now ever since we finished planting the grass in Jocotepec and I plan to leave the coast today seeking the higher and cooler altitudes inland hoping that the rain will stop also.

However, a couple that I have met suggests that I drive to San Blas, Nayarit. So I will drive north along the coast before I turn east for the mountains. First before leaving Puenta Mita, I drive to the beach, stop at the Anclote restaurant for a cup of coffee.

Then, I walk about on the shore and take several photos of the seascape here. I see a couple sitting on their surfboards waiting for a wave to come in, but it does not look like the waves are obliging.

After an hour walking the shoreline and taking photographs, I return to the Anclote Restaurant and meet the couple who were out into the bay surfing.

I continue for a short time more before I go back into the restaurant for a meal, this time it is a plate of beans, rice, a salad, some strip steak and some tortillas. I use a lot of the tasty hot sauce and wash it down with a glass of scotch.