Page 3 of tak1 Travel Blog Posts


North America » Mexico » Jalisco » Puerto Vallarta January 27th 2016

Peurto Vallarta Wednesday Breakfast was included at the Hostel Vallarta--5 fruit plate, banana bread, and coffee. A fruit new to us was included, the yabava, a small, yellow sphere, very sour, somewhat like a lemon. We then walked the residential area around the hostel. The stone steps went up and up, winding paths, almost like a forest with flowers everywhere. Very picturesque and a fantastic view from the top. We went down by the ocean, and passed the always present MacDonalds, Starbucks, and even a casino. We took a wrong turn along the way, so our hike turned out longer then expected, but we got back to the hotel in time for checkout. We hung out in the lounge until it was time for the taxi to take us to the airport. We found a corner ... read more
View of Cathedral from Hostel Roof
By the Cathedral
Residential Area Around the Hostel

North America » Mexico » Jalisco » Puerto Vallarta January 26th 2016

Puerto Vallarta Tuesday Went out to breakfast this morning becaise we ran out of coffee! Ended up at Esmeralda's in Obregon (a small town next to Melaque). It was a little walk, but worth it. Their presentation of waffles with strawberries was very creative. The strawberries were cut like a big flower, with kiwi slices for leaves. The place was very large, lots of customers. Since our bus to Puerto Vallarta didn't leave until 11:00, we had some hammock time, reading and bird watching. We saw a beautiful blue and yellow bird we haven't been able to identify. Bob says we take long hikes, and the best bird watching is from his hammock. We took a second class bus to PV, very comfortable with A/C and restroom. We took this bus because it was convenient to ... read more
Obregon
Top of Pavilion in Melaque Main Square
School Children in Melaque

North America » Mexico » Jalisco » Melaque January 25th 2016

Melaque Monday This morning we took off for a hike to try to find Playa (Beach) Cuastecomatito. Bob saw it on an online map, with a trail close to Melaque. We walked up to the highway and turned west toward the town of Cutastecomates. Before the highway turned right to this town, we took a left on to a road leading up the mountain. We passed a little shack where a guy was fixing his fishing net. He tried to tell to go to Cuatecomates to a beach, but we went left instead. He told us that this beach was gated and we couldn't get down there, but we decided to just check out the view. Apparently the land had been bought and closed off to visitors. The road we followed was good, a little rocky ... read more
View From the Mountain Road
Melaque From the Hilltop
Ocean View From the Cliffs

North America » Mexico » Jalisco » Melaque January 24th 2016

Melaque Sunday Spent the morning in Barra. Took a walk down by the pier. We talked to a guy down there and found out that the pier was severely damaged during Hurricane Patricia last year. They are building up the sides with big rocks to deter erosion, and will be rebuilding. We walked to the end of the current pier, past the big dredging equipment. Nice view inland from the end. Took a cab back to Melaque for two days, back to Hotel Hacienda Melaque. Stop signs are apparently optional. Saw a man riding down the middle of the highway with his wheelchair, which seemed a bit dangerous. Bob said he was looking forward to getting back to the hotel and "his" hammock. Our room was not quite ready when we arrived, so we stashed our ... read more
End of Pier
Rebuilding the Pier
Hotel Grounds

North America » Mexico » Jalisco » Melaque January 23rd 2016

Barra de Navidad Saturday We walked up north again to the marina area. Passed by the Crazy Cactus Realty, which had several homes and condos listed. We were surprised that some sold for over $300,000. But others were in the low $100,000s. The expats in this area were very friendly. One lady even asked if she could take our picture for us. Most are Canadians, but we did see a license plate from Iowa. A circular architecture seemed to be popular. There are a lot of gates, wrought iron fencing, and flowering trees and plants. One street was all torn up and filled with water, probably sewer problems. We continued our walk back through town, and down along the lagoon. We ran into the ice cream girl on the street and she recognized us. Behind a ... read more
Circular Architecture
Near the Marina Area
Hotel Sarabi

North America » Mexico » Jalisco » Melaque January 22nd 2016

Barra de Navidad Friday This morning we walked along the lagoon. We got many requests to rent a boat. When we were in Barra several years ago, there was a hotel along the lagoon with a display of birds. Couldn't find it this time. Out by the end of the Malecon we saw a couple of guys bringing in their catch of oysters. One was in the water in a wetsuit, carrying a net bag of their find. They will probably sell them to a restaurant. The seafood is very fresh here. The entire pier has disappeared. We think they may be dredging to make the entry deeper for bigger boats to come in, then rebuilding the pier. When it got really hot, we went back to the hotel lounge for a game of Scrabble. Very ... read more
Along the Lagoon
Restaurants by the Lagoon
Gathering Oysters

North America » Mexico » Jalisco » Melaque January 21st 2016

Barra de Navidad Thusday, 1-21-2016 Today we walked north and east of the central square, to the marina area. As we passed through town, we saw a guy putting a big fish in the back of his car. Many pet birds around here, some outdoors in cages, and sometimes you can hear chirping coming from the buildings. The marina area consists of three canals in from the ocean. Huge privately owned yachts and sailboats are moored here. Huge, elegant homes line the canals. This is definitely the wealthy part of Barra de Navidad. There is a big hotel, Casa Blanca, located in the area too. Looks like a big expat community lives in this area. Saw a big pickle ball court. Many properties were for sale. Thursday is market day in Barra. The next cross street ... read more
A Man and his Catch
Diverse Architecture
Nice Homes Along the Marina

North America » Mexico » Jalisco » Melaque January 20th 2016

Barra de Navidad Wednesday Spent a few hours by the hammocks, reading and bird watching. Saw the male painted bunting again, as well as a gila woodpecker. The area is full of squirrels. Fun watching the wildlife. A little later we caught a taxi to Barra de Navidad, where we have reservations for four days. The hotel is the Sarabi, a very clean, comfortable place with a small pool on the main floor. There is a nice lounge on the second floor, perfect for reading, blogging, and just hanging out. It also has an exchange library. Noticed the whole hotel is decorated in blue and yellow, the walls, drapes, bathroom fixtures, towels, the lounge, etc. You'd think we were in Sweden. The location is convenient, across from the main square. We got settled and then walked ... read more
Hotel Sarabi in Barra  de Navidad
Mexican Macaws
Sunset Over the Ocean in Barra

North America » Mexico » Jalisco » Melaque January 19th 2016

Melaque Tuesday Today was probably the warmest day we have had here in Melaque yet, high 80s. This morning we walked north along the beach. Big waves in this area, a few surfers. As you walk further north, one long hotel was completely empty, just a shell with walls and floors. It was either never finished or had just fallen into disrepair. Huge rocks at the northern end, so couldn't walk any further. One of the high rocks had a railed overlook on top, but it was closed off to visitors. Many boats in the area, lots of birds--pelicans, egrets, terns. Several RVs were parked in this area. They had a beautiful view of the ocean, with their hammocks and tents alongside. Spent part of the afternoon on the hammocks, reading and bird watching. One side ... read more
Fisherman on Northern Beach
Flowering Trees and RV Park by Beach
Northern End of Melaque Beach

North America » Mexico » Jalisco » Melaque January 18th 2016

Melaque Monday This morning we headed out to find a bakery. We asked directions and ended up at a big bread factory which supplies to the stores. We bought a small loaf, still warm, very good. After breakfast we decided to go to Manzanilla, a small beach town north of Melaque. The bus left at 9:45, was about a half hour ride, and cost less than $2 total. The bus was very crowded so we didn't have seats. A singer entertained us on the way. He was really quite good. We got off right on the road to the beach. Great beach for walking, very fine sand and no stones. We walked to the end, found a couple of chairs, ordered some drinks, and read our books. The waves were lapping in front of us, beautiful ... read more
Manzanilla Lagoon
Enjoying an Ocean View
Manzanilla Beach




Tot: 0.154s; Tpl: 0.008s; cc: 11; qc: 93; dbt: 0.113s; 1; m:domysql w:travelblog (10.17.0.13); sld: 1; ; mem: 1.2mb