Day 8 - Feels Like the Phoenix Zoo

Does this have anything to do with it being the day after Presidents Day? Are some schools on break? Why are so many people travelling today?

Day 7 - I'd Like to Stay Longer

I am a very "old skool" Vallarta tourist. The all-inclusive mega resorts up the coast are the antipithy of what interests me. The other day we walked up to see the former rather modest homes of Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton. Here's the famous bridge walkway over the street that joined the two properties.



Today, we walked up the river near that area. The reason was to look at the location of some real estate I had seen online. The picture below shows houses I could never hope to afford. A half mile away, tucked behind the edge of a mountain, was my destination. I wouldn't mind spending part of my year in a hovel but unfortunately the price of a hovel in a tropical location doubles! The walk was nice near the so called, Gringo Gulch. I could do without a seaview if I were close to the river and a 20-minute walk to the malecon.

Day 6 - Day Trip to Yelapa

Last night's celebrations ended late but we slept well.  Jay had been having a bad cough that interrupted his previous night's sleep.  So, we weren't up early but felt rested enough to try making our way to Yelapa, Mexico.  There are no roads to the seaside town and no cars in town.  I think it was once known as a hippy drug spot in the 60's and 70's.  Electricity has been recently introduced.

The events of the trip went like this: After breakfast, we walked across Puerto Vallarta's 'second bridge' to the spot where busses leave to Mismaloya and Boca.  I like like the view of the enormous bay from crooked Highway 200 as it winds it's way along the coast to the south.  From Boca it heads inland but we got off and walked down the hill to the beach.  We had contemplated trying to walk for a bit of the journey, but as it was late morning,  we bought tickets on a water taxi that departed at noon. We were charged 60 Pesos.

The water taxi was quite fast with a 220 HP outboard.  The water was a little rough in places as the Pacific can often be.  There was a stop or two at other coastal coves and beaches having no road access.  We got into Yepala in about 40 minutes.  We jumped off at the beach stop and Jay nearly ended up under the boat.  We walked up the steep stairs and towards the town proper rather than towards the famous waterfall.  The streets are cement and stone and only about a meter and a half wide.  They wound through people's yards and property. We only crossed paths with pedestrians and horses. No signs helped with the directions.  It was quite interesting and very unique. 

It was getting late enough for lunch, so we stopped at Cafe Bahia.  The food was pricey-looking with a highend presentation.  That is not our usual type of fare but we had fresh local tuna on sushi rice and pickles.  I also ordered a mushroom soup.  That, with the drinks, came to $30 so didn't cost as much as it would have elsewhere.  We were right at the public dock, so leisurely finished and got on a 2:30 return boat to Boca. There's always a bus waiting for the 28 kilometer return to Puerto Vallarta.  Yawn. 

Only one full day left here?

Day 5 - Tequila Agave Plants

Today the weather has finally started to cooperate. I am sitting in the 4:45 pm sun on the balcony in front of the hotel room. This old style building has the traditional open courtyard. The pool and restaurant section is a bit away. The palm trees are a little in my line of sight. The sun is still warm and the breeze warmer. Why do people put up with life in cold, snowy places, this author wonders?

We didn't manage any journeys today. It was too late of a start to go far. Tonight, the Mardi Gras parade doesn't begin until 9:00 pm and ends at the start of tomorrow. Apparently that will make for another slow start tomorrow. I guess the bus / boat / hike to Yelapa won't occur until Monday! Hanging around for winters here would be so easy. As I stated on Twitter, "I think it would be optimum to spend November through February in a neighbourhood with a mango tree."

Day 4 - Please Feed the Animals

A good thing about taking a vacation in the Central Timezone and living on the Pacific is that it automatically means it is okay to stay up past midnight and get up after nine. This way there'll be no big change to get used to. We did get up late today and after breakfast we headed to the Mismaloya bus stop. We got off and walked the kilometer from the main road to the Puerto Vallarta Zoo. It was interesting and I'd recommend it if visiting here. The grounds themselves are up a canyon in the jungle. We each had to pay about $8.00 (100 Pesos) plus we bought a bag of specially-selected foods for the animals. It had carrots, bread, peanuts, pellets, and corn. On the outside all the favourites for each species was listed. The enclosures were designed so animal had easy access. I don't recall ever giving a carrot to a giraffe before. Let me suggest you use caution, they drool.

After, we walked down to the Mismaloya beach. The old movie set for the Night of the Iguana was in that bay. We ate a very late lunch of fish right at tables on the beach. The bus back to town was the standard 7 Pesos. Still the weather is a little cool and the sky overcast. The forecast shows it getting back to a more normal tomorrow. I hope it's nice for the 9:00 to midnight Mardi Gras Parade tomorrow night.

Day 3 - Living like Expats

There are literally thousands of Americans and Canadians who live here year round. Of course those ranks swell during the winter months when escapees from winter climates descend on the area as a temporary sanctuary for several months. Today we tried to act a bit like them. After walking the length of the new Malecon, we continued to the Romantic Zone in search of the old vegetable market. As well as fruit and vegies, we bought a half kilo of fish and a kilo of fresh chicken. Jay is whipping up lunch as I type. It is well beyond noon, so it's completely okay that I'm sipping on a Pacifico.

I vote for this lifestyle.

Day 2 - Just Around

Today we just got acclimated. The weather wasn't the greatest but we did see sun several times. We did more shopping for groceries as we plan to make a few meals right in the kitchenette at the hotel room. There was one huge downpour just as we were heading to meet up with friends for 5:00 cocktails. We watched the heavy rain for about 20 minutes under eves. Then just as quickly as it came it disappeared. The deluge ended up running down the streets and drain system into the sea. I've not seen such rain since Malaysia last fall. We again had dinner with Tim, Rita, and Cyrus. We walked around town. They're all off to their respective homes tomorrow. We have not really decided on any plans yet.

Day 1 - Late Dinner

The flights to Puerto Vallarta were uneventful which, as Martha Stewart used to say, is a good thing. We got to the Hotel Rio Malecon at about 6:15 (4:15 Vancouver time). We went grocery shopping for our big, hotel-room fridge and then met up with Tim and friends for dinner and cheap drinks.