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.

Off to Edmonton

Cesar Millan in Abbotsford Nov 06............great show and send-off for my visit to Edmonton Nov 07.

Meet Rusty (I did)........I had heard lots about him before my visit; he really is a pretty cute little fella (much cuter I would say, than that alligatorish, lizardish fella they keep in the glass cage).

Just look........the height of innocence (he he), of course he is asleep...........the same cannot be said for this wonderful young man when he wakens. There might be any number of things happening around or beside him which have not the slightest thing to do with innocence, a few of which I have had personal knowledge and witness to. 

And then there was the whole (almost) clan; what can I say...........aren't they just the bestest grand kids anyone could wish for (inspite of the screwed up face on the centre one with hair of red - not to mention any names).

Well..............(just when I had bragged about the bestest grand kids) we find these two sillies playing in the dessert..........and we had to eat that dessert after they played in it......good grief....:)

So glad to have visited with everyone Nov 07-12, then sadly back home and to work again.