PV - Thursday, 28 Feb 2013

Left side of beach where most of the surf schools are located.

Enjoying lunch on the beach.

The 'Candy Man'. He pushes this wheelbarrow up and down the beach and does a booming business.

Right side of beach which is almost deserted.

There was a steady stream of surfers going from the rental shop to the best surf locations.

We had a brilliant day! We decided we would take the bus (the kinder, gentler one vice the 'crazy' bus) to Sayulita. It's a small town about 40 kms from Puerto Vallarta and well known for it's numerous surf schools and beautiful beach. Note to self: we picked up the Sayulita bus at Walmart and cost was 30 pesos ea). The bus cuts through the mountains going North and although it stops at every goat-path along the way, the hour's drive was fine.

The bus pulled in to the 'bus depot' which turned out to be a row of chairs under a sun shade and once we all departed the bus, the load of people going back to PV got on and it was about a 10 minute turn-around. We followed the crowd--there was really only one direction to go--and our first stop was at a juice stand where Wayne got a huge glass of fresh squeezed orange juice for 20 pesos or $1.60. I think the fellow squeezed 8-10 oranges to fill the glass. Can you buy that many oranges at home for $1.60? Don't think so.

We continued across the bridge to the sign that said 'Beach' and after a very short walk, stepped out into Utopia! It's part of  Banderas Bay and the smaller bay where Sayulita is situated makes for very good waves. There were lots and lots of surfers and a later walk down the beach revealed many surf schools. There is also a very long, less-developed beach in the opposite direction.

We rented a big umbrella and chairs from one of the restaurants and spent the better part of the day people watching, wandering, and fending off the beach peddlers. While we didn't get into 'town', I didn't see any big condo complexes or mega-resorts and Sayulita is still supposedly a diamond in the rough. It was a popular destination for the hippie/surf crowd in the 1960s and there's still a few old guys with 3-foot rat tails hanging down their backs and lots of dread-locks. There are more tattoos per capita than anywhere else I've ever been and I suspect some of these bodies display their owners complete life story.

The waiter who brought our lunch to the beach pointed out a small hotel on the beach, just around the bay, where rooms are still $50 per night. We've already decided we are going back on Sunday and will check out the hotel...and the price. I know I overheard someone on the bus saying his friend's in-laws rent a 2 bdrm place for $45 a night. We'll see. We didn't walk downtown, which is one street, but there are as many English signs there as Spanish so it may be worth a better look-see. I only had my point-and-shoot camera so I'm looking forward to going back with the heavy duty equipment and taking more photos.

I sure hope the worst of that f'n snow is gone and the temperature rises before next Sunday (10 Mar) when we get home. We are leaving here on the 9th and staying overnight in Chicago but any tour we take there may have to be in a heated bus if things don't change. Thanks for posting all those snow photos on facebook guys...we are even more grateful for these warm, sunny days!

We ended the day with our little restaurants Thursday special....BBQd spareribs. We always split an order as it's a full rack and far more than we can eat with all the other things on the plate. All in all, it was a memorable day which is always made special when you discover a new place. Hope everyone at home is well. Until next time, love and hugs to all. xx

PV - Saturday, 23 Feb 2012

The Vallarta Marina and a few of the 'tiny' yachts.



The boys carrying in one of the tunas.

They didn't waste much time loading the truck and rushing off to the fish market.

There's a job opening for a Translator at the Mexican Ministry of Communications!

There is something wonderful about getting up every morning and knowing, before you whip back the curtain, that the sun is shining. If there was some way I could convince all my family to sell everything they own, move down here and flog 'stuff' on the beach for a living, it would be total paradise!

Gail and Graham left yesterday and I'm sure it was difficult for them to say goodbye and go back to more snow. The 3 weeks they were here went quickly and I know they had as good a time as we did. We hated to see them go...it just reaffirms we only have 2 weeks left and no doubt the time will fly by just as it did when they were here.

I think I heard somebody call me 'the mummy' by the pool today...and they weren't referring to the maternal meaning. There is absolutely no humidity here so even though it may be 85 degrees in the sun, once you move into the shade it can be much cooler. Add the breeze coming off the ocean and it can be downright cool. I stretched out in my favourite lounger to read wearing long pants and my fleece jacket on and was quite comfortable. Once the sun came around and hit my feet, Wayne covered me with his towel and I went in to a deep sleep for an hour! I'm sure those people sitting in the sun and slathering lotion over themselves wondered what frigid planet I was from.

We decided we would take the bus down to the marina, gawk at the mega yachts, and have dinner. We ended up at a restaurant that serves seafood and while the food was ho-hum, the perks were GREAT! When the food came, the waiter also plunked a bottle of tequilla on the table with about 6 shots in it and that was all a freebee. We've decided that we really kind of, sort of, like tequilla and we sent the bottle back empty. When we complimented the waiter on the drink, he brought us another free shot each. Dinner got a whole lot better after that and when the free dessert arrived with a free chocolate/coffee liquor, we were downright giddy! We were wondering why there were so many people lined up to get in and now we know.

While we were eating a fishing boat pulled in and they started hauling off Yellow Fin Tuna. They had 6 of them and now that I've watched that tuna boat reality show on TV (and therefore almost an expert), I estimate they probably had about $10,000 worth of fish. I know they sure looked happy and were rushing off to the fish market to collect their money.

Tomorrow is Sunday and the day we like to go downtown and wander a bit. The fly in the ointment is that it's also the Daytona 500 so I expect I'll just order Pina Colada's delivered to the patio door while I'm glued to the TV. Some day...some day...I'm going to be in the stands to watch it. I'm a NASCAR junkie like my brother Corky and used to drive Wayne crazy to take me to the Carleton Raceway on Wed nights.

That's what been keeping us occupied. Hope everyone at home is well. My darling little Ty fell and broke his arm in 2 places so hockey season is finished for him. I can't believe my own 3 little devils got through their childhood without a broken bone. Until next time, love and hugs to all. xx

PV - Tuesday, 19 Feb 2013

Eduardo, owner of Don Lalin Tequilla Distillery, in front of the oven that bakes the Agave plant.

Cobbleston road repairs. The old fellow could hardly lift the axe.

Another police vehicle to add to my collection of travel photos.

Coffee beans drying in the sun.

The weather continues to be picture perfect and I'm just about at the point where more tan that what I have now won't be attractive! The past few days I've been content to sit the better part of the day in shade, reading and snoozing. I've never been one to lie for hours in the hot sun...usually can't do it...but that cool breeze off the ocean makes it so much easier--hence the amount of tan that I have.

We've been out for dinner a few times...went back to Blake's on Sunday for their t-bone steak special. It was 1 1/2 lbs each of steak with all the fixins' and I brought half of mine home. We reserved a spot there for Thursday (Xmas dinner) and that will be our farewell dinner with G2 as they leave for home on Friday afternoon.

We had a very special day today. After weeks of sitting most of the time (me), we decided to take a new tour to the small town of San Sebastian. It's about an hour's drive west of PV in the mountains and we took a small van tour with only six of us in the van which was so much nicer than a bus full of people.

San Sebastian was originally established by the Spanish in 1530 where silver and gold were mined. It's like something out of a movie: narrow cobblestone streets, old adobe brick houses and buildings, and bouganvilla bushs in vibrant colours. After the Mexican Revolution, the mines were closed and together with the fact that there was no real road (other than a large donkey path), San Sebastian became a ghost town. Seven years ago a road was put through after a couple of the mines were re-opened and families moved back. The government decided to give a huge grant to the town to restore many of the buildings and it has become most reliant on tourist dollars. The largest haciendas have been turned into hotels and restaurants with the emphasis on keeping everything as historically correct as possible. It was totally charming and we had a terrific lunch as well as lots of time to wander around. Our tour guide, Pedro, was extremely informative and we learned lots about local Mexican history.

We made two stops: one to a small tequilla distillery (yes, we got to sample and I loved it) and the second was to a small coffee plantation. Both operations are small, family owned and operated and we were lucky to have owners of both show and explain the process of each to us. The tequilla process is pretty straight forward...they make it moonshine style and the flavouring is done in oak barrels. The coffee process was most interesting for me as the coffee plants are grown in a relatively small grove interspersed with grapefruit, mango, orange, and sweet lime trees. Everything from picking the beans to spreading and drying is done by hand. The only mechanics involved is the machine to separate the coating from the bean, and grinding (after baking in a huge brick oven).

Pedro picked us up at Los Tulas as 10 am and dropped us off at 6 pm so it was a full day but each of us agreed it was well worth the $75 each we paid for the tour, which included lunch. The other couple with us, from Iowa, said they have taken a few tours with Pedro and he's the best...which we all agreed was true. It was a quick dinner at our little restaurant and then Wayne went off to challenge Gail to a game of cribbage.

Wayne and I are still catching up on Downton Abbey...I think we are nearly finished Season 2 and because we have all of Season 3 downloaded to watch, we'll know how it ends before the rest of you!!

That's what's been happening in our little world. Skyped with our little Ottawa girls..miss them so much.  Hope all is well at home and until next time, love and hugs to all. xx

PV - Friday, 15 Feb 2013

The days continue to speed by and we don't seem to have much difficulty filling our time.

We spent yesterday by the pool soaking up the sun and watching the whales cavort along the shoreline. They have been much closer to (our) shore this year than ever before but we were caught by surprise yesterday when one surface right in front of us as we sat in our chairs. Wayne and Graham spent more than an hour watching two of them waving their flippers and generally enjoying the freedom of having no jet skiis or boats trying to crawl on top of them. Having said that, I'm still hoping to get on one of the smaller boats to go whale watching before we leave and trying to get some photos.

Based on recommendations from others here, we went to Blake's for Valentine's dinner last night. It's a small sports bar about 15 minutes walking from us and while G2 had gone their for lunch last week, I'd never been there. It turned out that this little place, which is quite non-descript from the outside, is a real gem. It's owned by Susan and Michael Blake from Vancouver who have lived here and owned the restaurant for 7 years. She's a little firecracker who runs the place like a drill sergeant and he is the bartender and hockey-game guru. Susan has spent many years travelling around the world learning various forms of  cooking and it's clear she's good at it. Last night's menu was surf and turf...fillet mignon, shrimp in a tequilla sauce, and veggies which was preceeded by a soup to die for and a dessert of poached pears in a wonderful rum and 'something' sauce. We've already decided we'll be there next Friday for Christmas dinner!

Of course, Gail and I have done some shopping...surprise...and our beach vendor Hugo, is quite happy to see us. I normally do my business with him first and then let Gail at him to negotiate price. I suspect she gets better deals than I do but I don't have the skills that she does when it comes to dickering for price. Clearly, our Kim comes by it honestly and I will be getting her to buy my new furniture when the time comes. I'm such a panty-waist and don't seem to be able to stay in for the long haul when it comes to negotiations!

The weather has been great although we have cloudy periods some mornings or afternoons. We went to the Vallarta Marina to visit with Ellen and Gary, friends of G2, this week and enjoyed seeing their condo and amenities. It was gorgeous and certainly had lots to make it an attractive alternative to Los Tulas. Because it's not right on the ocean as we are, it is cheaper but only 2 years old so everything is very modern and new. We know deep down that being right on the beach drives the price up substantially and future holidays might mean having to give up that small luxury in order to stay longer or in a more modern location. As long as there is a pool, I really don't care but Wayne like that feeling of sand between his toes.

While I don't miss much about home, I sure am missing my little ones. I hope their parents are aware that the first week at home will not include the word 'no'...another things I'm not very good at in the best of times anyway, but the best part of being away is the going home and seeing them for the first time.

That's what's been going on in PV. Gail is excited to learn there is an active bridge club so will be joining the ex-pats next week for a few games. Wayne and Graham have been going to the gym (Gail also has gone) and I continue to keep my lounge chair occupied for long periods of time. It's a busy life we lead!

Take care, our love to all of you and until next time, hugs and kisses to you. xx

PV - Monday, 11 Feb 2013

On the Malacon. Noteworthy items: tan and silver earrings!

Edwardo was a waiter at the French restaurant we went to on our first, and subsequent trips to PV. He's changed places of employment over the years but we always end up eating where he works and get a big welcome from him.



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Breakfast at Freddy Toucan's...a 'must' in Puerto Vallarta.

Well, we've come up for air, got off our lounge chairs, and finally feel like doing something besides coughing and blowing our noses. Seriously, this winter has been the absolute worst for cold/flu, whatever the heck this is and I think we've taken every over-the-counter medication (Cdn and Mx) that's ever been developed.

Gail and Graham (G2) arrived 11 days go. Wayne was already coughing and filled up and Graham arrived in the same condition. I was in day 2 of misery and by day 3, Gail was in bed and the rest of us couldn't do much more than move from one place to sleep to another. We weren't alone...half of Los Tulas' population (which is over 65) was barking and coughing and we gave each other lots of sympathy, advice on medications, and more sympathy. I even got a chicken...did my Mother Theresa impression...and made chicken soup for ourselves and a couple of other sickies we've become friends with. I'm not sure if it worked but it tasted damn good and made us feel like we were doing something healthy.

Hugo the Beach Jeweller was ecstatic to see Gail! Between she and I, the university tuition for one of his kids has been paid. He's probably one of the most honest silver hawkers on the beach and very well known on Los Tules..he'll even custom-make pieces and has a beautiful selection. We had not been downtown to do any shopping so Hugo took the pressure off our need to get some silver jewellery until we were feeling better.

A few days of rest did the trick and while we all still have a bit of a barking cough, are certainly feeling much better. Wayne and Graham have gone to the gym a few times, we eaten at a couple of places downtown and both Gail and my suitcases will take lots of new shoes home.

The waves yesterday were enormous and were crashing on the beach and creating a huge surf. There were a couple of brave (crazy) souls who thought it was fun to be dragged across the sun and it was interesting watching them stand under the water tap trying to get the sand out of every orafice of their body...yuk! Being Sunday, we decided we'd head downtown to wander the new and improved Malacon and have dinner at the Blue Shrimp on the beach. Sunday is family day here and there are far more Mexicans downtown than 'us'. We watched the old folks dancing at the town square and agreed it was a fabulous day.

I'm starting to miss my Baby Honey Bees...the telltale sign is when I start looking at dresses and shoes in their size instead of mine.

Los Tulas is much quieter than I remember it being in the past and I'm sure the economy has a lot to do with that. However, the weekends are filled with Mexican families so there are lots of little kids in the pool and you hear more Spanish than English being spoken.

All in all, things are terrific and now that we are all feeling better we will make some plans for a side trip or two. Wayne downloaded the 3 seasons of Downton Abbey so every night we watch a couple of episodes and are totally hooked! Hope everyone is coping with the weather at home without too much flu or cold. Until next time, love and hugs to all. xx