Shirley Valentine's Puerto Vallarta Adventure

Yesterday was one of the first day's we saw any real evidence of Christmas here. The tree is up in the plaza (decorated with cows with wings) which is kind of weird but Gail thought it was cute. The supermarket was playing Christmas music- I recognized all the tunes but couldn't understand the words.
In the afternoon we met up with Robin and Serge at our favorite spot because there was a really good musician playing Neil Young music. The photo of me is with Paco the parrot at Cafe Roma. We had to leave early because we had tickets to see Shirley Valentine at the theater. We bought three tickets so we could take Marilu and she loved it. It was changed a bit- Shirley went to Mexico not Greece but it was very good and very funny.
Afterwards we went to a couple of bars/discos and had a great time. I love the picture of Gail (with a rose in her teeth) and Marilu on Olas Altas Street with the burro.
This morning was a late start because I had to hang around to buy tickets to the Bruce Springsteen concert in Vancouver in March. They went on sale this morning and I'm thrilled that we got four good seats. Janet and Gape are flying all the way from St. John's for four days just to see him!
Now we have just returned from the beach and our biggest problem here is trying to decide which of the numerous fabulous restaurants to dine in tonight. Life is tough!!

Surfing in Sayulita Baby!

Yesterday we met Ros and Ben for breakfast for one last visit before they head home, then went on to the beach as usual for a couple of hours. In the afternoon we power walked about 5km to the Mega Store where we were delighted to find folding travel beach chairs. They are surprisingly hard to find anywhere here. Then took the bus home and walked to the beach in the evening to see the sunset.

Today was much more active. Robin and Sergio picked us up just around the corner (they have a rental car) and we drove about 90 minutes up to the little surfing village of Sayulita. We packed food and beer for a picnic and had an awesome day in the sun and surf. Gail went boogie boarding and loved it. There were so many surfers there it seemed like Hawaii, and lots of them were young – maybe 10-12 years old with of course lots older too. There is a surf shop and instructors for lessons and they seemed to do a booming business. The water was very shallow quite far out but the waves were high so all in all I can see that it would be a perfect place to learn.

When we finally got home we all went out to dinner and came home fairly early. All that fresh air today has us very tired but HAPPY of course!

Family Day in Puerto Vallarta

Sunday is the day most of the locals have off from work. The beaches are crowded and it is very noisy and busy and fun. We went for a beach walk in the morning. Marilu, our neighbour, had asked us if we wanted to go to Sam’s Club in the afternoon. Sam’s club is a lot like Costco, a huge food and merchandise warehouse where you need a membership to enter. Of course we said yes, especially because we had a chance to ride in her brand new fire engine red VW (Jetta style).

On the way, she took a detour so we could stop to see her uncle. He lives in an old part of town in a very old little house. There is a huge lot next door, which Marilu owns and wants to use to build a little boutique hotel. The lot has lemon, apricot, banana, avocado and other unfamiliar fruit trees growing on it. Her very old uncle shuffled out into the yard to pick fruit for us! He is very sweet and doesn’t speak a word of English. He is a retired carpenter but keeps active building wooden toys and things to sell in the church. He gave us a little toy sling/lounge chair. It was such a nice way to spend an hour. My only regret was not taking my camera with me as I thought we were simply going grocery shopping! It was also nice having a drive around PV to see areas we had never visited.

After dinner, we walked to the Malacon to see all the festivities, booths with food like fried bananas and fruit, vendors selling balloons, huge trees of cotton candy, lots of trinkets for sale and street entertainment. Sunday night is terrific! There are thousands of people from infants to old folks walking, eating, laughing and having a great time. Across the street from the Malacon are tons of bars and restaurants all filled to capacity.

At the end of the Malacon is an outdoor amphitheatre with constant live entertainment. Lots of dancers and singers, and believe it or not, last night there were Irish folksingers and step dancers! It was surreal to hear Irish rebel songs outside on a warm night in Mexico in November! In the background of the picture is the nightly pirate ship cruise all lit up and full of partiers.

Fun in Paradise!

I just can't believe how much fun we are having here! We live on the south side of Vallarta- which is the oldest and trendiest place-cobblestone streets, lots of bars and restaurants and very lively. We are just over the Rio Cuale (river). There is a little island in the middle of the river which is filled with flea market type shops, little restaurants and a great place to walk. It is very lush and green and is a great place to spot iguanas climbing the trees.

You can get to the island by regular bridges, but our favorite way is via the swinging pedestrian bridges! The bridge onto the island is just a couple of blocks from here so it's a fast way to get to the other side where the malacon is. The locals call it the drunken bridge because that is exactly how you feel walking over it. It's very old, very rickety and sways a LOT especially when there are people passing each other. I am still amazed that I managed to get Gail to walk over it. She has potential to see the Grand Canyon after all!! Be sure to click on the photo of the bridge so it will enlarge and you can really see how bad it is.

So, after using the two bridges (one on and one off the island) we found our new haunting place Friday- Cafe Roma. It's just a fabulous bar/restaurant owned by Sr. Fox-from Winnipeg! Carol, Tim and Dale, he is living your dream of running a bar in Mexico. He has all Mexican staff of course but the place is usually packed, the beer is the coldest in town and only $1.50 for a Corona! All first timers get a free shot of excellent tequila!! Can't be beat! We've met some great people there from all over the world. I've included a photo of Robyn and Serge -who live in Tacoma- and who are going to do a house swap with us this spring! Serge is Mexican and Robyn is American. Lots of fun and it's great to hang out with a non gringo!

Lea and Dale, we met a fellow from Belfast last night who now lives in Richmond. His buddy bought the Brigadine pub in Maple Bay a couple of years ago!! Small world but I thought Dale would like to know that the place is in good hands!!

This morning we used the Skype computer phone for the first time and talked to family. It worked like a hot damn so we are very pleased we can keep in touch-especially for Gail as her Mom doesn't have/use a computer.

Carol, be prepared for a long fun day on Dec 13 when we meet up. Send me an email because I want to give you a few options about how and where to meet. It would be easier than trying to connect when you get to the DeCameron.

That's the latest, oh, other than it is 28C, sunny and PARADISE!

Revolution Parade

We were in Mexico last year for the revolution parade in Ajijic on November 20. It was much smaller there. Yesterday the parade lasted from 9:30am until noon! We didn't stay to watch it all because it was just too hot. Mostly, all the schools take part and the kids are dressed in their uniforms and look so sweet. There are also lots of little ones dressed in revolutionary era costumes, little boys with play rifles and bullets strapped around their chests and with painted mustaches on their faces.

We spend either mornings or afternoon at the beach, then the other part of the day exploring the city and neighborhood, with time at the pool thrown in somewhere as well. The beach is just a short five minute walk and is beautiful and the water is WARM. We bought a beach umbrella from a vendor which makes it easy to stay there for hours.

Sunday night Ros and Ben invited us for dinner at their condo. We had wonderful huge prawns and grilled dorado- the local white fish. It was excellent.

We found out from Marilu, our neighbor, that the beer truck makes weekly deliveries to this building for the residents. It's a lot easier than carrying it home from the market! We had a case of 24 Corona brought up to our unit by Miguel! They will return in a week to collect the empties and replace what is needed :) What a great country!!

We really love the area where we are staying. There are lots of small markets and vendors everywhere. I love the photo of the huge bags of lemons (we call them limes) that were lined up by the building next to us yesterday.

If you are enjoying reading my blog, send me an email or a comment. Gail and I would like to hear from you!

Getting to know the neighbors!

Wow, what a busy last couple of days we have had! We met Ros and Ben and two Dutch friends of theirs at the bar night before last. First thing yesterday morning we had to pack up all our stuff- which I was supposed to do the previous night but I was begging for bed when I got home. Bob helped us move upstairs to his place- which is very nice and homey.

Then he took us to a small boutique hotel just on the next block where the owner has offered us the use of their swimming pool. It is small and quiet and Gail is happy! We didn’t intend to spend most of the day with Bob but that’s what happened. He took us to a small hole in the wall shoe shop- where the sandals are all hand made in leather. I needed a pair and was shocked to find they actually had a few nice pairs that fit! At only $18.00 what a bargain!!

Then on to the downtown area (a mere three blocks away) where there are lots of hotels and they do not seem to mind if you use the pools- so we are all set. Finally, the three of us went to the beach and sat while the waiters brought us buckets of beer. An altogether fine morning and afternoon!

Later we had arranged to meet Ros and Ben at their hotel but we only stayed an hour or so, sat by their pool with them and headed home.

Bob and his neighbor Marilu (who lives just above us) came by for a visit around 6pm and stayed for hours visiting and telling great stories. At 10:30 they suggested we go to their favorite neighborhood cantina on the corner. It was quite an experience!! One of the owners is from Vancouver! Marilu has lived on this block since she was a child- only spent 10 years working in LA then back here- so she knows EVERYONE! The streets were crowded with people and every second or third person gave her a hug and kiss. The street vendors selling food, the people in the shops and in the cantina she was like a movie star! Even the street dogs adore her. One of them followed us into the cantina –because he knew she would ask him what he preferred to eat tonight. Next thing she was outside ordering food from the street vendor for Bob, herself and the dog! (We had already eaten.) We met lots of her neighbours, including Eduardo, who is a well-known artist around here. He is having a gallery exhibit next Wednesday and invited us to come. People are so incredibly friendly here. We didn’t get home until almost 2am.

We are just finishing breakfast then will hit the beach for a few hours. Another beautiful sunny blue-sky day awaits us!

Day 2

Oh it is sooooo easy to slow down in weather like this! We were real slugs today and didn't get going until about 11am. First thing we went looking for Los Arcos Suites where Ros and Ben are staying. They arrived in PV last night. Ros was Lauren's voice coach and Ben is her companion. Of course they had already left for the day but amazingly, as soon as we walked onto the beach they walked past us! It is really quite a small town. We had a nice meeting and arranged to meet tonight for drinks. We spent a few hours on the beach then went home for lunch, changed into our runners and took the bus to Walmart for groceries and essentials.
Taking the bus in Mexico is an adventure- all for the low cost of .50 cents! Buses are crowded, noisy, rickety, bumpy and FAST! You literally have to watch your heels boarding because the driver will close the doors and lurch away from the stop ready or not!!
Walmart here is one of the best places for groceries and especially produce. This amazes us because in the local and corner stores the produce is really terrible. We get great stuff from Mexico in Canada- seems like they don't keep any for themselves.
When we arrived home Bob was right behind us delivering a new stereo to replace the old one in the apartment. We really don't need it because we brought our ipod with us but it's nice to listen to the Mexican CD's here in the apartment.
We had a little down time then walked the four blocks to the bar to meet Ros and Ben for Happy Hour. It was fun and quite noisy and busy. We will probably go there a lot- right across from the beach and right in our neighborhood. Now we are home. The internet connection here is REALLY SPOTTY. I was not able to connect at all today and it was quite frustrating. So, I may not be able to post as often as I would like! If you don't hear from me for a few days be patient! You can be sure (knowing Karen) that I will NOT BE!!!!
ps. Sorry about the photo- it's quite dark- taken by the waiter at Apaches's bar.

Day one in Paradise!

Hola Everyone!!

We arrived in paradise yesterday around 5pm after a LONG day. We stayed in a hotel by the airport Monday night as we had to turn off everything in the house- hot water especially. So naturally we had a short night – we had to be at the airport by 4:30 am. By the time we arrived we were very tired. Took a taxi to our apartment and home for the next month. Bob, our landlord from Seattle was here to meet us and promptly gave us each a cold Corona. We really like Bob!!!

As soon as we settled in a bit we walked to the supermarket to by the essentials: Beer and tequila ole!! Actually we did buy a few groceries too.

We didn’t wake up until 9:30 this morning. It is hot and sunny here. I loved opening my laptop this morning and seeing my home page showing Victoria 3C and raining. Sorry but it makes me happy!!!

Today we mainly walked the neighborhood and the beach. We are about three short blocks- maybe five minutes- from Los Muertos beach. It is beautiful. Lots and lots of restaurants and bars and a lovely boardwalk all along it. We saw Bob sitting at a beachside bar so stopped and talked to him for about an hour. He gave us lots of tips about the area and things to see and do.

About ten minutes away is the start of the Malecon. The next street over from us is the best area for really good restaurants. Tonight we grabbed tacos and quesadillas from the five star street vendor on the next block. Awesome food and only $2.50 for both of us!!! We are really in the heart of old Vallarta. It is a bustling busy neighborhood but we really like it and feel like we are part of the real thing.

Gail says she can't beat the beer here (Timmy you would love it) 7 x 16 oz cans $4.76 Canadian for Sol!! She claims it has been better for her cough than aspirin with codeine!!