Day 8 - Checking Out and Going Home

After breakfast, we did a final walk around our hotel area. We had sufficient time because the hotel's check-out time was noon.

 

Just as we did when we arrived, we took a regular bus back to the airport. It is super easy and costs us each about US 0.59 one way.  We are old pros at using buses to get around Puerto Vallarta because we stayed here for five months once. It took around 40 minutes today.  We crossed over to the airport by the pedestrian bridge over the highway and proceeded right to the check-in counter. Although we'd checked in online yesterday, we had them print paper boarding passes for our direct flight back to Vancouver. 

      

It was an uneventful 4.5-hour flight (plus an hour for the time zone difference). I guess that is a good thing. Air Canada no longer serves cookies or pretzels. In fact, we didn't even get paper napkins today. I'm sure it won't be long before they'll just hand out a tiny bottle of water and call it quits unless one ponies up for their stale, overpriced snacks. We got into YVR after dark and decided to grab an Uber back to New Westminster. We got back at around 9:40 PM.

All good things must come to an end.

Day 7 - The Cuale River Island Cats

 

I'm definitely going to miss this view from the breakfast table in the morning! We have just one more because we'll be checking out of the hotel tomorrow at noon. We have been pleased with our stay, although the weather has been very hot and humid. The weather is going to persist after we leave.  The weather reports are suggesting continued heat warnings for next week.

   

Most of our stay has been to the south of the Cuale River. It divides Old Town from the Romantic Zone. Both these areas are the original village area when most residents were fishermen. 

The river has an island not far from where it empties into the Pacific Ocean. It does not have houses but sports the Cuale Cultural Center.  Arts and Musical programs take place in the park setting. 

As well, this area used to be filled with stray and feral cats. I'm sure people used to dump off unwanted kittens. People bring food but it's not the best situation for a feline. It seems as though programs to spay and neuter the population have been effective. We only saw a half dozen cats on our little walk today.

 

Oddly, we usually see iguanas from one of the two main bridges over the river.  Durning the whole week, we've seen none.  There are, however, dozens and dozens of pelicans now.  I don't know if these two developments are connected.

Day 6 - A Bus to Mismaloya

 

We've always liked the little town of Mismaloya.  It's a bay just a half hour south of Puerto Vallarta by bus.  We had to wait a bit as people were heading to beaches along the way on a Sunday.  The turn-off for the zoo is there too.  We didn't want to do that today although it has been a pleasant experience a couple of times.  We headed beside the river right towards the beach area.

 

We always walk past the Barcelo Resort and through the little fresh seafood restaurants.  Along the south of the bay is the location where Night of the Iguana (1963) was filmed.   At the time there was no highway from Puerto Vallarta.  Director John Huston had his cast including Richard Burton, Ava Gardener, and Deborah Kurr take a boat to the filming location.  Although easily accessible now, strangely the property has never been developed.  I'm not sure who owns the land but it is marked to prevent trespassing.  I noticed a plaque that was never there when we visited in the past.

Back at the hotel, we watched another sunset. I much prefer beaches where there's a sunset because who wants to get up earlier enough for a sunrise!

 

So another day ends in Puerto Vallarta!  Playa Los Archos Hotel and Resort has proven to be a great place to stay.

Day 5 - The Malecon and Entertainment

 

I haven't really mentioned just how hot it feels here. Although the highs reach 32° to 34°C, it is humid. This makes the hotel room seem very cool as the AC is good at keeping it at 23°. It was nice though and we hadn't really walked to the other end of the malecon. So we headed to Ley's Supermarket via a trip along the beachside pedestrian walkway.  We often shopped there during the winter of 2014-15.

 

We find we're spending a lot of time in the swimming pools too.  There's something neat about going to the poolside bar and getting a beer or a mojito, even if they come in a plastic cup for poolside safety.

This evening there was a Mexican dance group.  I think they are the same ones that perform during evenings at the park by Olas Atlas during the main tourist season.  I could definitely get used to this lifestyle.  I guess what makes it the best is its uniqueness though.

Day 4 - Jay's Birthday!

It was a fine day for breakfast by the beach.  I guess, it would always be a fine way to start the day but we're only here until Tuesday.  It was a fine day for Jay's birthday too.  

We had a surprise today too. There was a special sea turtle release right in front of the hotel.  Kids were able to line up and hold one turtle in a coconut shell.  They were all set free at the same time along with hundreds in a cooler sized container.

When we checked in back on Tuesday, we were given two certificates for a free dinner in a restaurant beside the usual buffet.  It made a perfect change for Jay's birthday. dinner  We had surf & turf.  Of course Jay had a slice of a special cake, even though it didn't have candles.  

Day 3 - More Puerto Vallarta

We continued getting reacquainted with Puerto Vallarta.  Things are pretty close but we put on about 12 kilometers walking.  Having our place to stay and all the food and drink we can hold is interesting.  I think this was a really good choice for Jay's birthday week.  He turns 69 tomorrow!

Day 2 - Exploring the Romantic Zone Again

 

It's great being back in town. We spent time exploring the hotel and the area in which we once lived for five months. We ate a lot and I sampled a lot of drinks as we're staying with the all-inclusive option. First we went to find the location of our first retirement winter.

 

The building had been rebuilt but the neighborhood hadn't changed. We walked around but staying on the south side of the River Cuale.  Well we went to the island but also revisited our old fruit and vegetable shop.  We saw a lot of new buildings but the character of the old part of town seemed familiar and welcoming.

 

It was a great day.

Day 1 - Getting to PV

 

An easy trip down on Air Canada 970. It departed exactly at 9:30 am. We got into the airport at 3:10 local time and into the hotel at around 5:00. We're an hour ahead of home.

 

We lived in this neighbourhood for the winter of 2014-15. However, we never spent any time in the Playa Los Archos Hotel. Of course, we'd walked by a million times. We spent New Year's Eve 2015 on the street party in front. 

It was easy to learn the ropes. I tried to make sure I was getting my share of the all-inclusive food and drink. We walked a bit of the Malecon last night and things seemed remarkably familiar after our 8 1/2-year absence. 

It's going to be a fun week.