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Published: March 13th 2014
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Monday, February 17
We were up early and Jorge drove us at 6 am to our pick up spot for Charter Club Tours. We were going to Puerto Vallarta for a few days.
It was a full bus and a long drive but I’m glad we chose to go by bus as the scenery was beautiful. We drove through the mountains on winding roads. As we made our way from the centre of Mexico to the coast, the terrain changed continually. We saw the mountains, deep ridges, fields of farmland and orchards. I found the mango orchards close to Puerto Vallarta very interesting. We are used to seeing apple, pear and other orchards in Canada and we are used to seeing Mango trees in the Caribbean growing randomly in yards and fields. In fact, we are very familiar with banana and cocoa plantations but we have never seen or imagined acres and acres of mangos trees.
The drive took six hours from Ajijic to Puerto Vallarta and that was with two rest stops along the way. The OXXO stores are the most common convenience stores in our area of Mexico. This is where the driver stopped each time.
The stores were quite large and clean. They had good coffee, sandwiches, snacks and very large clean washrooms.
When we arrived at the resort (Friendly Resort) it was too early to check into our rooms so we all headed into the buffet restaurant for lunch. We ended up killing time for about an hour before we could go to our rooms. It took no time to unpack and we changed and headed to the pool and beach.
Although we walked along the beach a little we chose to sit by the pool. Rick and I have been spoiled by many years in the Caribbean. The beach sand in Puerto Vallarta seemed very course and the beach itself very crowded. We are used to having soft powder sand beaches to ourselves with very few other people around.
We spent the afternoon lounging and reading our books under an umbrella while being served nice blender drinks from the bar.
Late in the afternoon a Mariachi band arrived and entertained everyone by the beach bar. The bar was set up to provide tequila tasting while the band played.
When we first arrived, Rick and I had made reservations
for tonight’s dinner at the gourmet restaurant. We are not normally a fan of buffet restaurants although we enjoyed our lunch earlier in the day. The gourmet restaurant states no shorts so we dressed for the evening. It wasn’t necessary as we watched numerous people arrive in sandals and shorts. We enjoyed our meal but wouldn’t rush to make reservations there again.
Tuesday, February 18
Our friends Dubi and Esti from Toronto arrived in Puerto Vallarta yesterday but couldn’t get a room in the same hotel as us, so they were staying in a little boutique hotel in the centre of town. We took a taxi into town and spent the day with them. It was great fun. We walked the streets in the centre of town, roamed the dress and souvenir shops, enjoyed some tequila tasting and then eventually made our way to the Malecon. The Malecon in Puerta Vallarta is huge and extremely busy with tourists and venders. There is so much going on that we really had to pay attention or we would miss some fun events. We bought a few souvenirs and decided to return in the evening for dinner at a restaurant that
Dubi and Esti had enjoyed the previous night.
Dinner was at Langosta Restaurant on the beach with a Ranchero band playing my favourite Mexican song for us, Fine, Fine, Fine. I ordered lobster and was not impressed, but we enjoyed the evening so much that the food really wasn’t all that important.
We returned to their hotel and took a taxi from there back to our hotel.
Wednesday, February 19
Rick and I spent the day by the pool. We enjoyed the infinity pool and the Jacuzzis but weren’t anxious to join in the games at the sports pool. It was nice and warm in the shade of our umbrella and a treat to be served and pampered all day.
We had reservations in the evening for a show called Rhythms of the Night. This was highly recommended by a friend from back home. We had hoped to be able to attend with Dubi and Esti but by the time they reserved, the Wednesday night was totally booked so they will see the show on Thursday.
We took a taxi to the Maritime terminal where we were to check in and board a catamaran
for an hour long trip across the bay to the location of the show. It was a beautiful night for a boat ride. The seas were flat and the sky provided a lovely sunset. The time went very quickly as the crew of the boat provided a fun, entertaining show.
When we arrived at the location for the Rhythms of the Night it was like stepping into another world. Little wooden bridges and torches lit the way to the many dining areas. There is no electricity. Along the way there are musicians providing music and people greeting us in costume. We arrived at our dining area and we were seated at a table just above the beach. Although it was dark, we could still see the waves washing ashore. The meals in each dining area were all the same and served buffet. As we were eating, musicians came to our table and played for us.
Eventually we were to head toward the show area. The walk there was confusing and interesting as it is such a large complex with more pathways and bridges lit with more torches. There are long benches for the seating area. When we arrived
we could see painted men hang way up in trees and a costumed man who entertained us before the show however he was a major player in the show as well. He had every one in stitches laughing with his antics. He spoke in a babble that was not quite English but with a few very clear English words that would jump out at you when he wanted you to get the message.
It was an extremely good show and we enjoyed every minute of it. The trip back to the mainland was just as much fun with more entertainment along the way. It was midnight by the time we returned to our hotel.
Thursday, February 20
This was our last full day at the resort so we decided to spend the day under a palapa hut on the beach. It was nice. We read and slept and went for the occasional swim in the pools.
There was a different crowd of people on the beach, many smokers, small groups playing cards, large groups of friends sitting and talking. Around the pool area there seemed to be more couples and families with young children.
It
was a nice relaxing day.
Friday, February 21
We had until 11 am when the bus was to pick us up for our return journey home. We didn’t do much other than eat, pack and check out of our room. It again was a long ride home but this time I slept most of the way.
We called Jorge when we arrived back in Ajijic and he quickly came and picked us up.
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