Blogs from Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico, North America - page 16

Well, there's no turning back now since the non-refundable plane tickets have been purchased, so now we move to the next piece of the travel puzzle which involves getting our "stuff" in order. Passports need to be re-newed, gear needs to be acquired, borrowed or purchased. The objective is to travel as lightly as possible, so just the essentials. It's a great feeling to know that after so much discussion, debate and whatnot, we have finalized a plan and can begin to focus more on the "doing" as opposed to the "wondering." Much of the fun of a trip of this nature is doing the research. As I view the variety of destinations, activities, and accommodations, it really gets me motivated to search for our best options. We are definitely interested in the whole ecolodge experience ... read more

Hey! I just joined this travelblog and plan on using it on the next adventure which is hopefully Ecuador in July. In the meantime, just thought I'd check in and say "Hi" from Puerto Vallarta, my home for the past 20 + years...(I'm originally from Oakville, Ontario.) Anyway, got hooked on travel and blogging and this seems to be the best way to share the experience. Have been to Peru and Columbia and now want to add Ecuador to the list. Hubby, the girls and I will be backpacking through the highlands visiting ecolodges and hosterias, meeting interesting people and acquiring cool experiences. Yay! Since I'm a teacher, the summer is the best time to see a lot and that's what I paln on doing. Stay tuned...... read more

For a few days now I have been searching for something traditionally Mexican, something with healing shamanistic kind of influences that I have read about for many years now, this is part of why I am travelling. I found a technique, Temazcalli Aztec sweat lodge, using all the Earth's elements, water, fire, earth and air, which have been practiced in Mexico since pre-Hispanic times. This is a timeless approach to spirituality and said to be similar to a Turkish steam bath but let me tell you it’s nothing like it; it’s earthier, religious and heat intensive. It is meant to symbolize a re-birthing ceremony. Perfecto! A small group of people from all over the world stood within a stone circle in alliance with our birth sign, facing into a central god-ish statue. I am Aquarius, which ... read more

I haven't written anything in a long time...but I have a good excuse..I swear! Well not really but I have been busy. We have had safety training for the last 2 weeks....sitting in the classroom learning emergency procedures, first aid, etc. We did get out of the classroom 2 days for practical lessons....one day we had to do a fire safety lesson with the firefighter onboard. We had to dress up in the gear and wear the oxygen masks with the big tanks on our backs....then we had to go into a staged smoke filled room (stage smoke was pumped into a room) and find our way around in the dark. It was pretty cool....I felt like an honorary fireman! Two days ago in Acapulco we had to jump off the ship with a life ... read more

There is another couple behind us with fifteen pieces of luggage, apart from them and us the entire bus is empty, what happens? This other couple decide to sit right in front of us and lower the reclining seats back to virtually horizontal position. It was tempting to give the thoughtless traveller a cranial head clamp. We moved to other seats and in mid journey more like mid cycle in a tumble dyer as the bus rocked hard from side to side. I was desperate for still ground, wishing & praying to my travel angels that when we reached our final destination that we could stay somewhere nice with many windows so we could see light and get back to feeling more human again. 12 hours, 2 long bus rides, a painful Mel Gibson DVD of ... read more