Over For Another Time

Most of December 28 was spent relaxing by the pool, more eating, more drinking and more sun tanning. My alergic rash was improving and I enjoyed one more wonderful massage before dinner in the evening. We spent some time packing up our suitcases for the trip home, did some more reading and played a few games of dice.

Saturday the 29th was 'head-home' day. It had been an interesting vacation (somewhat different from the one we had in Cabo). The weather was beautiful the entire two weeks and it would be difficult to leave that behind. It would be nice to get back home though; now we can look forward to our next vacation!

Back to Las Caletas Beach Hideaway

Early December 27th we boarded the boat to return to Las Caletas Beach Hideaway (the same place we had attended Rhythms of the Night) for a day of activities at the beach. On the way over in the boat we saw some whales although didn't manage to get any real good pictures (a difficult task).

Las Caletas Beach Hideaway was once a private retreat for Hollywood's biggest stars. Today this tropical beach hideaway is exclusive to Vallarta Adventures. It is accessible only by boat.

There were many optional activities so we relaxed for a while on the beach, went Kayaking, I went to a Paella Cooking lesson (where we made Salsa & watched the chef make Paella) while George tanned on the sand, we had a wonderful lunch (which included the Paella from the cooking lesson) then took photos with the snake (George) parrots and monkeys. It was a great time (another first for me; kayaking) and we had fun there for the day.

When we returned from the day at the beach the rash on my neck was no better in fact it seemed to have spread around to the front of my neck, so a phone call directed us to the doctor. Seeing a doctor in Mexico is an experience all of its own (not bad just not anything we are accustomed to). The Doctor was located in an office on the street just off from the resort; it was signed 'Emergency Hospital'. We tried the door; it seemed to be locked; thinking we were at the wrong place, we continued down the street; soon the doctor poked his head out of the door and we went back; he had the door locked because it wouldn't stay closed.........hmmmmm. OK, into the office we go and the Doctor is there all by himself sitting behind his desk; invites us to sit; our consultation begins. After some questioning he examines my neck, writes a prescription, we pay the bill (700 Pesos) and we are on our way, George to find a drug store and I back to the room. We couldn't establish for certain what caused the rash but the Doctor seemed to have a suspicion it could have been from the beach towel I had been using (supplied by the resort). He said it was definitely an alergic reaction. After the lotion and pills for three days, which he prescribed, the rash was gone...........all's well that ends well...........another day in Mexico.

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas to all and to all a Good Night !

There were few celebrations going on at our resort; Santa came for the children in the afternoon; there was a Christmas Eve and Christmas Day special menu at the restaurants with dance and musical entertainment..........other than that it was business as usual right through the holiday season.

We braved the bus system again on the 26th and wandered the streets of Bucerias to take a closer look. We bought some vanilla, I bought a dress and George bought a belt then it was back to the resort for the evening.

During dinner that evening I noticed an irritation on the back of my neck; it became very red with welts and was really itchy; I thought I had eaten something that I was alergic to; we rubbed it with Lavender Oil and I took an antihistamine.........went to bed expecting it would be better in the morning. 

Relaxation and Entertainment

December 23, a day of extra special relaxation for me with a massage, a facial, a pedicure and a manicure..........now that's a day of very special treatment. That was part of my Christmas present from George. It felt wonderful!

The next day (which was Christmas Eve) we created some frustration for ourselves by trying again to get on line without success. We spent some time by the pool, relaxed, ate, drank (more of the usual).






In the evening we boarded a boat at the Marina and headed to the secluded cove of Las Caletas Beach Hideaway for the performance (in a mystical amphitheater) called 'Rhythms of the Night'. A clear evening complete with stars and bright moon was the perfect setting for this amazing performance. The dance performance illustrated how ancient religions and beliefs influenced the myths, legends and cultures of Mexico. Fabulous show with very talented performers.



Following the show, we enjoyed a wonderful candlelight dinner by the seaside; the bar was open and the wide selection of food was great. I would recommend this adventure to anyone..........you would not be disappointed (I would definitely see it again; a most entertaining and enjoyable evening).

He Will Just Zip On Over

First rate luxurious ride on this fabulous Mexican Limosine (as the driver called it) to the jungle and the Los Veranos Canopy Tour, where George went zipping through the trees, over the rivers, visiting the termites and generally having a pretty fun time on the zip-lines.....(December 22).

Zip-lining seemed like it would be just a bit too scary for me so I waited with a coffee and my reader in the little restaurant at the end of the zip-liners adventure trail. As it turned out and as George told me later, it really was no more scary that parasailing (which I enjoyed in Cobo). Oh well perhaps next time I will try it.

At the end of their 'zipping' we ate lunch at the restaurant beside the river which flowed over the rocks (love the sound of a river perhaps because I grew up beside one)........it was really a nice setting. Later discovery showed I had been the recipient of yet more 'bites' (great!) but it was a fun trip and George enjoyed the adventure.

Back to the hotel, relaxed, went to Mediterranean night and entertainment at the resort then up to our room for a bit of reading and bed time.

Still Here

Well now, December 21st came, went and the world didn't END......we are all still here..........but I guess I'm getting a bit ahead of myself.

Tried to get on line (finally got a password to use hotel WiFi) and it seemed to work ok.....little did we know this would be our first of only two successful attempts to get on line. Oh well......................(that certainly wouldn't be the end of the world either I guess).

Another walk today in the morning to the mall, just to have a look around at the shops. I really notice that public safety doesn't appear to be an important issue in Mexico.......the sidewalks are an obstacle course at best and can be quite precarious if you don't pay attention to the holes and broken cement, the obstacles sticking up right in the middle of the walk, the almost invisible wires strung across areas (I could go on and on....:)..........walking in the mall I was just gazing around when George alerted me to what could have caused a serious accident; the floor dropped off about a foot and a half in front of us without a hint of any warning signs...........whew! Interesting place, but the truth is that in Mexico people are actually responsible for their own actions and you would not be able to sue the city for example, for a skinned knee, after having tripped over a broken section of sidewalk. Not an entirely bad concept. If the same were true in Canada and US I could actually go into a restaurant and be served a HOT cup of coffee!

Anyway; back to the hotel, sat by the pool, relaxed, ate, drank and sat in the hot tub after dinner..........

........................AND the world did not END!

Fandango

Walking to WalMart provided a much needed bit of exercise (since we had been doing a lot of sitting, eating, drinking) and we bought some 'Lime' Cornchips which we have only been able to find in Mexico. On the same trip we searched out a Pharmacy to check out some prices, walked back to the hotel, sat by the pool, had a few more drinks and relaxed for the rest of the day.

That evening (December 20) we attended the theatre performance at the 'Teatro Vallarta y Galeria de Arte Colunga'........'Fandango'. Fandango is a performance of creative music and dance interpretations expressing values, culture and customs of Mexico. It was a most delightful show with many talented musicians and dancers; we thoroughly enjoyed the evening.

We had taken a taxi downtown to the theatre and arrived a bit early so went exploring and wandering along the streets. A dress jumped out and grabbed me (just shortly after the store merchant) so we did a bit of bargaining and it was soon in a bag and in my possession.

Sunset Sailing Cruise

At some time during the morning of December 19 we decided to take a walk to Starbucks to see if we could get WiFi since it wasn't free at out hotel (fact a bit mind boggling for 2012) so that we could check if we had any messages that required our attention.

After much frustration and trying to get the Playbook to do what we wanted........Success............we had a coffee, got on-line, retrieved a message from Eric and Robin about Mocha, sent a reply and we were off back to our hotel.

That evening we went on a Sunset Sailing Cruise. I had never been sailing before (George had so it wasn't new for him); I was quite looking forward to the adventure. The crew was very friendly, we got drinks, lunch and a nice relaxing time on the ocean in a sailboat. Although we didn't get to see a sunset (it happened to be too cloudy) it was a beautiful warm evening and an enchanting experience that we both enjoyed.

Arriving

December 15/12

We encountered an accident on the way to the airport; had to make a short detour but all was well and we were there in plenty of time.Arrived in Puerto Vallarta at 4:30 local time. The line of people to clear customs was such that I have never before seen (it was that long).

No sooner were we past the customs point and we were 'grabbed' (I mean that literally) by the timeshare fishermen (horrible experience from which there seems no escape except to agree to attend a presentation). This happens at the airport as well as at the hotel after check-in where they enhance the pressure with free drinks. Check-in proved a bit of a challenge; they had record of our reservation for the second week but not for the first.........hmm interesting; finally got that squared away; put in out time with the timeshare fisherman and were done at last. By the time we got to our room it was late; we were both tired and ready for a good sleep........but happy to have arrived. We were staying at the Villa del Palmar (downtown), an old but nice resort.

Christmas Away This Year

So..........we are off to Puerto Vallarta for Christmas this year via Westjet from Abbotsford December 15 leaving at 10:00 am.

Friday evening we drove to Mt. Vernon to take Mocha to Eric and Robin's; they have agreed to take care of her while we are in Mexico. I'm sure she will be happy with them. 'Sasha-the-cat' doesn't especially care for Mocha; they have their issues but usually manage to survive each other. Tesla on the other hand, loves to have Mocha around; she can feed and take care of her. We are happy to have a safe place for Mocha to be and hope thay enjoy having her around for a couple of weeks.