We arrived in
Manzanillo about 3:30pm on Sunday, Feb 6th. After getting our baggage and going through customs we got a taxi and took it to our hotel, the
Holiday Inn Express. It was about a 55 minute ride. Manzanillo is spread out with several different neighborhood areas. It is a port city so in the middle of the bay is the port so to go anywhere you need to go around the port. Our hotel was in the middle of the area, behind the port. We were a little disappointed at first to find that there is nothing near our hotel, no restaurants or any other tourist things. In fact, it really does not even cater to tourists. The staff at the front desk did not speak English, they had no maps or brochures, they know nothing about tours, etc. We didn’t see any Americans at the hotel. However, our room was nice and clean and the bed was comfortable. There was a nice pool, although it wasn’t heated. Breakfast was included and they had hot food as well as the usual fruit, cereal and juices. Once we arrived at the hotel I went swimming even though the pool was cold. The weather was sunny and in the 80’s so it still felt good. Doug caught up on a little work while I was at the pool.
Around 6pm pm we asked the front desk about a place to go to see the beach and eat dinner and they suggested we head down to the Salagua area which was north of where we were. El Centro was to the south but they shook their head and said that this was better. Since we didn’t have a car they indicated we needed to take a taxi, which was right out front. So off we went, but when we got to the area there was very little open, not easy access to the beach, etc. It really didn’t seem like what we expected.
There were lots of buses so we decided to take the one marked “El Centro”. We paid $1 for both and took about a 20 minute ride to
El Centro. Once we got there we found the plaza, the malecon (boardwalk) and lots of stores. There was music and a parade going on in honor of
Constitution Day which was Saturday, February 5th. On the malecon there was a plaza with a large fountain that had music with spouting water jets, synchronized to the music. Much smaller, but similar to the
fountain at the Bellagio in Vegas. We were looking forward to our first authentic Mexican dinner but we were unable to find a restaurant open so we ended up eating dinner at Ly Chee, a Chinese restaurant right on the water in El Centro. Not quite what either of expected to do our first night in Mexico, but the food was good. Afterward we walked across the street and got a taxi back to the hotel. On Monday morning we got up, ate breakfast at the hotel, then headed next door to the bank to exchange our money. The bank was closed and when we asked why we were told it was a federal holiday for employees. Instead we took a cab back down to the Salaqua area and found a money exchange. We actually enjoyed walking around the area today, more things were open and we even found a Starbucks. Later we took a bus back down to El Centro area. We found a little bar and had great guacamole and chips. Afterward we walked around the plaza and malecon before heading back to our hotel for another swim and some down time. That evening we took the bus back to the Salagua area and had a great taco dinner at the one of the little restaurants in the area. We had decided although we had planned to stay 3 nights in the area it was not what we expected so we were going to leave in the morning and go to Puerto Vallarta so this would be our last night here. We headed back to the hotel by taxi. On Tuesday we left Manzanillo with the feeling that it is really not yet a good tourist area, or else we just were unable to find the right places to go. The economy definitely has hit Mexico hard and without tourists some of the places will not be able to survive. We got up early and had breakfast at hotel then got a cab over to the bus station which was close. The bus to Puerto Vallarta leaves at 8am and cost approximately $28 each. It was a comfortable ride that went along the coast and stopped in
Barra de Navidad and
Malague then a few other towns along the way. Part of the way was through the mountains and windy roads. It got to the bus station in Puerto Vallarta about 2 pm where we took a taxi to our hotel in old town,
Playa Los Arcos. When we have come to
Puerto Vallarta in the past we have wanted to stay at this hotel. It is right on the beach and has a beautiful pool, although it is right off the lobby.
We got settled in our room on the 3rd floor which had a balcony overlooking the pool area, with an entrance on the street side so we could look over that area too. We walked down to the beach and had dinner at the
Burro Bar. The prices had gone up since last time we were here. $ 17 for a Mexican platter and $13 for fajitas! After dinner we walked up to the malecon from one end to the other then back to old town. It was fun to see some of the new businesses and buildings that weren’t there last time (3 years ago). Wednesday morning I walked up to the neighborhood café and got espresso. It used to be the only one with espresso in the area 3 years ago so we would come to it every morning. They also have internet service. I walked a little ways past the hotel and noticed 3 more coffee places in the next block! Lots of choices this time. Doug walked up to
Fredy Toucan’s for breakfast and I headed down to the pool.
I spent most of the morning just relaxing by the pool while Doug worked. There were a couple of iguanas that had taken up residency and were just sunning themselves on the roof by the pool. For lunch we headed to a little restaurant on the beach for lunch of mahi mahi on a stick and coconut shrimp. It was good and the price was much more reasonable, $16 including drinks. Afterward we walked south on the beach then back on the street to the hotel. We saw several of the same businesses thriving, and some new ones too. I headed back to the hotel and I went back to the pool for awhile while Doug worked, then headed to dinner at
Café de Olla which we have always enjoyed. Thursday morning we woke up to another sunny, beautiful day. Paradise! We walked down to Fredy Toucan’s for breakfast but first stopped at the store and bought some sugarfree syrup which none of the restaurants seem to ever have. After breakfast we stopped at the corner café and found that they had sugar free vanilla syrup for espresso drinks, so I headed back to the hotel and the pool with my iced mocha in hand. We had a late lunch of hamburgers at A Taste of Italy which is close to the hotel, then we took a nice walk around the area and back up to the malecon. We came back to the hotel and rested until dinner at the Cocina Mexicana which was just north of the hotel. Doug had chile rellenos and I had tortilla soup. Both were excellent. Friday, February 11th. Happy Anniversary! 16 years! Today we took a walk in the morning down the beach. I found the Cyber Smoothie, an internet café which also sold protein drinks so I had that for breakfast then headed back to the hotel for a swim. Doug took a walk further, got a little breakfast then worked for a little while. For dinner we went to the
Margarita Grill which was down Basilio Badillo, informally known as "Restaurant Row". Afterward we went to Andale’s which is a fun bar, but it was crowded and loud and hard to find a place to sit so we left shortly after. On Saturday I walked down once again and got a smoothie while Doug went over to Fredy's for breakfast. I ended up spending most of the day by the pool. This vacation is turning out to be one big RELAXING time, which is how I like it. I had a reflexology massage at the hotel, right down by the beach, which was so relaxing. Around 7pm we walked to the malecon and back, then went to Andale’s for dinner. Since we got there early we got a good place to sit so we ended up staying until 11pm. It was fun to watch everyone having a good time. The music is usually 60's and 70's and the crowd is in their 40's on up so we have always liked this place. Sunday morning we had breakfast on the beach at
Longostino’s. It was good although the service was slow. Afterward we came back to pack and get ready to move to the Marina for our next week. We really enjoyed Playa Los Arcos so we reserved it for the same week next year. They booked the same room and the same price.
We got to the
Marina Mayan Palace about 2pm. In the past we have always been told that we had to wait until 5pm to check in but we were given our room right away. It looks like there are not too many people here this year. Our room was on the 2nd floor overlooking the pool and the beach. After getting settled we walked over to the marina. It had really changed- with a lot of shops closed due to the economy. One of our favorite restaurants, Suzy Wong’s had closed.
Victor’s was still there but lots of shops were closed. We stopped at the little restaurant across the street from the hotel,
Tacos and Beer/ Pizza and Beer and had individual pizzas which were really good. After we got back to the hotel I went swimming for awhile. We had been told that the pool heater was broken but it wasn’t too cold to be uncomfortable. Later we went downstairs to the hotel restaurant and I had tortilla soup and Doug had the buffet meal. Monday, Valentine’s Day. We started out by taking a walk to Walmart (2 miles) and got several grocery items, then took a cab back. We spent the rest of the day relaxing around the hotel, the pool and the room. For dinner we went to
D’z Rock n' Roll Diner over at the marina. We had a huge meal which we could not finish, so we brought some back to our room. Tuesday I spent most of the day, relaxing and reading. Doug took a long walk, nearly to town (6 miles) and the bus back. Later we rode the bus to town and went to Pipi’s for dinner. Dinner was OK – it was a very noisy place but it was fun. It is mostly about the atmosphere. Wednesday we decided to ride the bus to
Punta de Mita. It is to the north, the beginning of the bay. We wanted to see the town and check out the Four Seasons hotel. The bus only went as far as the little Punta Mita neighborhood where the Marina is and a few little restaurants and shops. We were unable to see the Four Seasons, but we had a great lunch of fish tacos before coming back to the hotel about 3pm. We ate dinner at the hotel, which was ok. Thursday I rode the bus part way down to town then walk along the hotel zone, looking at the shops. After a relaxing walk, I crossed the street to catch the bus back to the Marina, however I got on the wrong bus. It took me up to a little town called Ramblases. It was interesting to go back into the local neighborhoods, but it gave me more of a glimpse of the poverty. I am still convinced there is not a middle class. On the way back I stopped at the Galeria’s shopping mall and had a great chicken salad for lunch and looked at a few of the shops. They had some designer stores like Prada as well as some of the regular Mall stores that we see in the states. For dinner we went to Vic’s at the Marina, which of course was very good. Victor stopped by our table with shots of tequila which he stayed and drank with us also. After we were finished with our meal, Victor asked Doug he would like to try some of his special “moonshine”. Of course Doug was not going to turn that down. I tasted it and it tasted terrible! After getting coffee at the Marina Friday morning we again spent most of the day relaxing. I can really get used to this! That evening we decided to go back to town for dinner in Old Town. We selected
Joe Jacks Fish Shack which was excellent. We both thought it was the best meal yet of our trip. On Saturday we rode the bus to town for the last time this trip. We picked up a few things to bring home and then came back to the hotel. For dinner we ordered pizza at the hotel, which was the special of the night. This was our last night of our 2 week vacation. I’m not ready to go home!
On Sunday we had breakfast, then checked out and walked over to the Marina for coffee one last time. We saw a crocodile in the water at the Marina which we have not seen before, although they have signs warning about them. Then it was time to leave. Once a year is just not enough! So, reluctantly we headed back to the hotel at 1:30 to get our taxi to the airport.
Click below to see more pictures from our trip.
After trying for more than a year to get tickets to see Oprah I finally got randomly selected to go to LA to the After Oscar Party Taping on February 28th. It was taping at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood, the same place the Oscars would be held the night before. The first round of selections was around the 4th of the month, then on the 14th I was sent an email that there were more tickets available. The deadline for the response was the 16th; however I didn’t see the email because I was in Puerto Vallarta. When I returned on the 22nd I saw that I had missed it. So I sent an email response on the 23rd, asking if there was any way I could still go and I got a response that we could go. So, on the 23rd we made quick airline, hotel and car reservations and started getting ready to go on Sunday the 27th, returning on Monday the 28th. We flew in on Sunday morning and got to LA about 10:30am. After getting our car we drove to Victorville to see Scott and Kattie and the kids. We got to their place about 1pm. Scott gave us a tour of their house which is new. It’s on a corner lot, has a large kitchen with island, a family room and formal living room, ½ bath and den on the main level and 4 bedrooms and two full baths upstairs. Doug’s dad had found last September and bought it with Scott. Scott will be refinancing the loan and paying him off in the next few months if possible. It’s hard to believe that they got this house for $109,000. We had a nice visit and stayed through dinner, leaving about 6:30pm to head back to LA. We watched a little of the Oscar’s while we were at Scott’s, but headed back before it was over. When we got to the hotel about 8:30pm it was already over. We expected to see some of the winners at the Oprah taping so we were anxious to hear who won. Monday morning we were at the Hollywood Bowl parking lot at 6am, waiting in line to check in. Shortly before 7am they had us get into 3 lines, based on the lead person’s last name. Once we got up to the check in table we were given yellow bracelets and directed to a particular bus. No-one knew for sure what the colors meant other than all the yellows would be seated together. But where? The Kodak Theatre holds 3400 people and has two balcony tiers as well as the main floor. 
After more waiting on the bus we were driven to the Kodak Theatre which was less than a mile away. We were directed into the building and there were signs directing us to the main lobby level. Several others were directed upstairs, so this was a good sign! We then formed another line in the lobby to wait for the doors to open. It was about 8:30am and the taping didn’t start until 10:00am so more waiting. Finally, about 9:10am or so the doors opened and we were allowed in. We saw immediately that we would be stage right on the main level with a good view of the stage. We ended up in Row L the 3rd and 4th seat from the middle aisle. All of the rows were elevated enough that it wasn’t a problem seeing over the person in front. The stage was magnificent with the Oscar motif from the night before. It was awesome to think that just last night this theatre held the biggest annual award ceremony for the actors and actresses. One of the Harpo Audience team members came out and warmed up the audience as they played music and several people got up on the stage to dance. Shortly before 10:00 Gayle King was escorted to a seat in the front row. She wasn’t introduced however several people called out to her and she turned and waved. 
Afterward we walked around the Hollywood area, watched as they were removing the things from the red carpet show the night before, looking at the sidewalk Stars, and Grauman’s Chinese Theatre. We walked back to our car at the Hollywood Bowl then drove to Burbank and had lunch at Bob’s Big Boy. A quick trip down to the Santa Monica Pier then we were off to the airport for our ride home.
