Puerto Vallarta February 2013

Once again we find ourselves in Puerto Vallarta.   Love it and even though we think about trying a new Mexico location (Cancun??) we end up coming back here.

We arrived on Sunday, Feb 10^th and made our way via taxi to Playa Los Arcos in Old Town P.V.  This was our third time staying there and we love the location, the ambience, pool etc.  It’s older, could use some updating but it’s clean, the staff is wonderful and the price is right.

Of course I headed directly for the pool- something I had been looking forward to for a long time.  Having recently had surgery on my elbow I was a little apprehensive about overusing it but it wasn’t a problem. I don’t have full range of motion yet so I just relaxed and didn’t do too much. 

Later we headed for the Burro’s Bar which is right on the beach and close by.  The food is good although a little overpriced.  The peso/dollar exchange was about 12% in our favor so that helped.

We didn’t plan anything specific for the week so each day included breakfast or at least coffee and rolls, then pool time, then figuring out where to have dinner.  Since we seem to get stuck in the “what do you want to do”, “I don’t know, what do YOU want to do” cycle, I made a rule that we could not say that during our whole trip.  We agreed to state what we would like to do and invite each other to partake.  Or if we had a few options of likes we mentioned that too.  It helped cut out a lot of wasted time, hurt feelings, etc.  Why didn’t we do this sooner??  I am going to encourage it to be a rule going forward.

Monday there was a Mardi Gras celebration at Los Muertos Pier just south of our hotel.  This is a beautiful new pier that was completed since we were here last year. Everyone was encouraged to dress up, wear masks, etc.  Although we didn’t do that we were able to go onto the pier and watch others which turned out to be a fun experience.  People can be wild and creative with their costumes. 

On Tuesday for lunch we tried the little taco stand directly across from the internet café on the corner.   The tacos were great and it was fun to talk to the owner about the economy and business in general in PV.  It seemed to us that things were finally making a turn around.  The last couple years we had seen a lot of things that were closed or no longer in business, and far less tourists. 

Tuesday night we met up with Kimberly and Mike Altman for dinner.  Kim is a life coach and works out of their home in Puerto Vallarta.  They have lived now in PV year round for 2 ½ years and have gotten plugged in with other US and Canadian citizens that now live there (ExPats).  We ate dinner at Coco Tropical which is an Italian restaurant on the beach near our hotel.  The food was good and it was fun to talk to Kim and Mike about living in PV.  It is something we have talked about doing, if only for a couple months during the winter.   We have a few years to decide, but it is tempting.

During the day on Wednesday we took a bus and went up to the Hotel Zone to look at the Fiesta Americana, which at the time we thought was an option for a trade with our Mayan timeshare. We were thinking possibly exchanging time next year or staying longer.  When we got there we spoke with the concierge and he was helpful and encouraged us to look around.  We walked out to the pool area and looked around the hotel.  It was big, friendly, and clean and the pool area was inviting.  We had been having trouble with the internet at La Playa Los Arcos so Doug asked about that and was told that it was free and worked good.

That evening we went to Paradise Community Center to a concert called “in Love?”   The singers were Time to Play which was a group of folk singers that formed a folk type band in retirement.  Some of them were living full time in PV and some part time.    PCC is a non-profit which benefits the poor communities of Mexico.  They raise money through social events, Saturday Markets, etc.   They also have a few food stands so we went early and ate dinner.  Doug had fish and chips and I had chicken and potatoes.  Both meals were good, and the folk music was fun with a lot of songs that we grew up with.

In the morning we had a thought to look up the FiestaAmericana to see what the rates were for last minute rooms.  Normal rates for Studio King were $150 but they were $119 online.  We decided to move up there for the next 3 nights before we moved to the Marina to our timeshare at the Mayan Palace.  We checked with the front desk and let them know that due to the internet issues we would like to check out early.  They reluctantly agreed and didn’t charge us extra for checking out early.  We went to breakfast at Café de Olla, then around  1:00 pm we got a taxi and headed for the Fiesta Americana.  We checked in and had to wait for an hour or so for our room.  Once we got it we had a beautiful ocean view room on the 8^th floor.  The pool was calling so I headed down to enjoy the afternoon relaxing.  Dinner that evening was at the hotel restaurant L’isola which is Italian and the only one of the three restaurants that were open.  We hadn’t had time to explore the area and didn’t feel like heading downtown to eat. 

I spent the next few days catching up on reading, pool time and anything I could do to relax. Doug went for a walk a few times, worked on business things and came down to the pool in the afternoons.  On Friday we had breakfast at Chula Vista, another one of the hotel restaurants, then that evening we went back to town and had the all you can eat special and Joe Jack's Fish Shack, one of our favorite places.

On Saturday we walked north to Starbucks , then back to the hotel for swimming and down time.  That evening we decided to try a new restaurant on the Malecon called LaCerveceria Union.  The food was good, and the atmosphere was nice.  It is in the same location where the Hard Rock Café used to be, however it is remodeled and now has open sides. 

Sunday was our move to the Mayan Palace at the Marina.  Check out at FA was noon.  On our way out we stopped to talk with the concierge Jorge who had been so helpful when we first came to look at the hotel.  We had actually seen and chatted with him each day.  When he realized we were leaving and heading to the Mayan Palace he requested the hotel shuttle driver to take us.  That was a pleasant surprise and great service!

When we checked in at the Mayan we were told that our room (on the 2^nd floor) would not be ready for a couple hours. That gave us time to walk over to the Marina for a bite to eat.  After, we rode the bus to Walmart to pick up a few supplies for the week.

Once we checked in I headed to the pool. They have a great pool, actually 2 of them, with umbrellas for shade.  The furniture is getting old and could be replaced but the grounds are beautiful and the staff is wonderful.  The pools have not been heated for the last few years which has been frustrating but with the warm weather it wasn’t as bad as I anticipated. My understanding is that there is some warm water circulating so not completely cold.

That evening we headed back to the Marina and went to the D’s Rock and Roll Diner which we had been to before.  The food is Ok, not great, but it’s fun for something other than the traditional Mexican food.

My week at the Mayan consisted of coffee or breakfast at the Marina, back to the Mayan for pool time, break for lunch in the room, back to the pool for the afternoon.  Doug spent time working, walking and even headed back to town a couple times.  In the evening we went to the Marina for dinner most nights. Monday we went to Buenos Aires for dinner.  That was our first time and have to say that they portions were good and the ambiance is nice.  It’s a little more expensive than some of the other places but we enjoyed it.

 Wednesday we took a bus and went to Suyulita.  We have been several times and enjoy it.  It is a small surfing community in Nayarit north of Punta Mita.  We had lunch at Captain Pablo's  while we people watched.  After we got back to the hotel I spent some time by the pool, then we had dinner over at Tacos and Beer across from the hotel.  Thursday we had dinner at Los Mariachiles at the Marina.

On Friday went to the Marina to Vallarta Adventures and went on the Sierra Madre South tour.  On an earlier trip we had taken the Sierra Madre tour and had a great time. The guides are fun and informative and get the group really engaged in the adventure.   We left about 9 am and headed south to the town of El Tuita.  On the way we stopped at the  Puerto Vallarta Botanical Gardens.  Once we got to El Tuita we toured their town hall, stopped at a little market, then went to a tortilla making factory, and a cheese factory.  At each place we tasted the food.  The shop owner gave us a bag of what looked like cheese puffs. Our guide added fresh lime and seasoning.  We see these bags for sale on the Malecon – after tasting we’ll be sure to buy next time.   We tried the tortilla with pic sauce and guacamole.

Next we stopped at a  Hacienda el Divisadero raicilla distillery.  As we walked in we gave our guide our lunch request (chicken for me and beef for Doug) then headed to a little tour on the process of making raicilla.  Raicilla is made from the blue agave plant using the same process as making tequila.  By Mexican law all "tequila" is made in the state of Jalisco.  Others that use that process have to call their spirits "raicilla".  Of course we were offered a shot (tiny taste for me).  Afterward we were led to the dining area for a lunch of fajitas, beans, rice and salad.  Drinks included.  Lunch was great and it was a fun experience.  We headed from there to a little cemetery but we didn’t get out of the dune buggy for that.  I wish we had as I would have loved to go through it.  We could see that they had some beautiful headstones.  From there we stopped at a huge rock that had petroglyphs, then on to one more distillery and more shots of raicilla.  Once again, little sips was all I could take.

The distillery was our last stop. As we go out there I noticed that I no longer had my camera.  I had taken pictures at the rock and the this stop was 10-15 minutes after so I could not figure out where it had gone.  I had it in my pocket and the trip was very bumpy.  We were riding in the back on side benches  and I noticed that between the seat and the back of the seat there was an opening to the street below.  After searching everywhere on the dune buggy we determined it was gone.  Fortunately Doug had brought our good camera and this was just my little point and shoot but I had taken pictures for 12 days up until then.  We left our name and number at the office once we returned but I don’t expect to hear back.

Saturday, our last full day in PV.  Things are coming to an end.  We went down to old town and walked around the Saturday Market, (mostly expats selling to expats) then went to Joe Jacks one more time for lunch.  We were able to sit on the rooftop terrace and enjoy the weather and the view.  I could stay here forever!    But of course things are coming to an end.  Later we went back to the hotel  for the last pool time, then dinner over at Victor's at the Marina.  Of course Victor was there, sharing shots of tequila with everyone.  We got lost in the time and forgot that the gate to the marina closed at 9:30 so when we were ready to head back at 10:30 we had to walk ½ down the marina to the far exit.  The weather was still warm, but after a few drinks and full stomach it was the last thing that I wanted to do.

Sunday we checked out, left our bags and went over to the Marina for a leisurely last breakfast at Las Palomas.  Once again we have to leave… This time with no mishaps other than losing the camera, and burned lips.  Can’t wait to come back!

San Diego, October 2012

The annual MSPA conference was in San Diego this year.  We both love San Diego and decided to add a few days so we could visit with friends while we were there.

We flew into San Diego on Tuesday, October 16^th.  We were staying at the Westin in the Gaslamp area which is in the heart of everything.  We had an early flight so we knew we would not be able to check in so instead we rented a car at the airport and decided to do a little sightseeing before we went to the hotel.  

We drove to the Hillcrest area and went to Baja Betty’s for an early lunch.  Baja Betty’s is a client of Doug’s with an authentic Mexican flair and a fun, upbeat atmosphere.   The food was great and the staff were having fun with the customers (and each other) and it made for a fun adventure.

Later we parked our car at Horton Plaza which is next door to the hotel, then went to check in.  We got checked in and Doug wanted to work a little, so I went to check out the pool area. 

The Westin has a nice outdoor pool on the second level of the hotel.  It is secluded from the outside, and there are some shaded areas which is always nice.  They have a hot-tub also just indoors next to the pool.  The pool was heated and though we had nice weather it was really nice to swim in a heated pool.  Some places just rely on the weather which never seems to heat up the pool enough.

That evening we went to Phil’s BBQ for dinner which was another client of Doug’s.  Known for their great barbeque, there is always a line to get in.  They were efficient and in no time we were in and sitting at a table.  The food was ready quickly, large portions and friendly, upbeat staff that are always on the go.  Afterward we met with the general manager to discuss the account for a few minutes.  They have several locations and they are all doing well.

We turned the car in at a local location near the hotel rather than keep it at the hotel.  I wasn’t planning to use it while Doug was working anyway and we had things planned in the evenings.

On Wednesday Doug was busy all day and I spent my time relaxing, reading, swimming and otherwise doing the things I like to do to relax.  That evening we took a walk and had dinner at Maria’s Mexican Cocina, a local Mexican Restaurant with several other people from the conference.  Doug’s favorite cuisine - and I enjoyed it also.

Thursday was just for me..lots of relaxing while Doug was at his conference.  That evening they had an event that I was invited to also.  We went to a local establishment called The Shout House which had "dueling pianos".  The event was planned so we were a private party.  We sat right up front.  There was banquet style food, plenty of drinks and then of course the "dueling pianos".  Patrons were encouraged to turn in names of songs and the piano players played them together, and also had friendly competition over who played best.  After a while they split our group into teams and played a game of "name that tune".  They played a few notes and everyone wrote the name of the songs.  It was a lots of laughs and a good time.  Later, they again were taking song choices and people were throwing money to the piano players "not" to play a request.   Somewhere along the line Doug requested Brittney Spears (what was that about??)  then actually got up and started dancing!  Of course someone had to quickly throw up a tip to get him to stop, then someone else to get him to continue!  It was hilarious and it was fun to see him relaxed and having a good time.

Friday was Doug's last day for the conference so I checked out of the hotel and waited in the area for him to get done.  We had pre-arranged to have a rental car delivered to us so once he was done we rented the car and drove to Imperial Beach.   Doug had grown up in the area and still had friends living nearby.  We rented a room at the Sand Castle Inn across from the beach.  It wasn't fancy, no pool, but it was fine for the few days we were staying.  We had Thai food for dinner and the local restaurant.

During the day Saturday we took a drive and went up to La Jolla and went to the Cave Store.  When you walk in it looks like a tiny little store with souvenirs, shells, agates, etc.  However, there is a set of stairs that go down several feet to an underground cave.  The view is awesome as you look out onto the Pacific from inside the cave.  The water comes crashing in right near where you are standing.  It was fun to see and feels like a hidden treasure.  You wouldn’t know from the outside of the store that it was any more than a little store, not unlike all the other tourist stores.

That evening we met up with Doug’s friends Bart and Glen and Ian and his wife who were visiting with their daughter from England.   The guys had all gone to high school together.  We met at Ye Olde Plank Inn which is bar/restaurant right near the beach.  The guys had fun reminiscing and I enjoyed talking to and hearing about her life in England.

We flew home Sunday.  Back to the old grind, until next time.