Our annual trip to Puerto Vallarta, aka Paradise, this year was February 4ththrough 20th. I was really looking forward to it. This was to be our last trip pre-retirement… We still intend to come next year if possible, but we will have the flexibility to stay longer, come at a different time if we decide, etc. We thought this time around we would see if we could make any decisions about next year while we’re in PV.
On vacations where the weather is hot I really look forward to the rest and relaxation of just hanging out by the pool, catching up on some reading or a few shows that I got behind on. Doug looks forward the laid back environment, time to sleep in, rest, and meander around the streets of Old Town. Maybe spend a couple hours in the afternoon at the pool. After several years going to PV we have done the tours, so rest and relaxation is on the top of our list.
We do like to try out new restaurants, and of course go to our all-time favorites. It’s fun to see the same wait staff at some of our favorite spots, and even though I’m sure they don’t know us by name, they recognize and acknowledge us.
So, for the most part I hung out at the pool… in order to make sure I had an umbrella I was up every day by 7am, down to the pool to put out the towels, then back to the room for a while. The “game” we all play, and we all hate.
Late afternoons we were back to the room for a while, then dinner somewhere about 7 or so. The only break from the routine this time was one day when we got up and went to Old Town and caught the bus to Mismaloya, which is about ½ hour or so south of town. We had lunch on the beach, and spent the afternoon people watching.
Money exchange – it was the best rate we have ever had in our favor, but unfortunately not good for the Mexican citizens. In the past the peso has a value of $1 = 11 pesos. This year it was $1 = 20-21 pesos. We went to Walmart and bought a bottle of tequila, big bag of chips, eggs, 2 boxes of juice, yogurt, fresh veggies and fruit and a few bakery items. $15 US. Overall, we spent about 2/3 our normal spend for 2 weeks.
New restaurants:
La
Traditional – down by the church, family owned, very good food. Would go again.
Cheeky Monkey – have seen this restaurant for
years and finally decided to try it.
Love the location, on the Malecon, midway, upstairs, has a balcony and
great sunset view if timed right. Sunday
special, lasagna, was very good.
Few Longs Chinese Food – nothing good to say –
don’t go
Our favorites:
Senior Frogs – On the Malecon, good food, price
is good, fun atmosphere. We had the
Victoria Chicken and Coconut Shrimp. Yum
Joe Jacks – Old Town, went twice, can’t go wrong
DJ’s – Marina, good food and music. 60’s Diner style
Derby Burgers, Old Town – lots of choices for
great burgers
Barracuda – North of Malecon on the water – great
food
Salsa Grill – a few blocks south of street to
Barracuda. Good food
Fredy’s Tucan – Old Town – great breakfast – I
went once but Doug went several times.
Victor’s – Marina, good food, try to go when
Victor’s there. First time we have been
when he wasn’t, in many, many visits.
Isabella- Boutique hotel on hill above and south
of the church – great atmosphere, and food.
Go for sunset.
100% Natural – across from Sheraton, great
breakfast. Went the morning of our last
day. Fresh juice
Books: A Long Way Home (aka Lion) by Saroo Brierley, and Cold Kill – The True Story of a Murderous Love by Jack Olsen
As I mentioned, we did a lot of speculating, planning and talking about next year. Do we want to stay 3 weeks? I am usually not ready to go home when the time comes after 15 days. But I believe that is because I know I have to get back to work when I get home. We both thought that if we stay three weeks we will need to break up the weeks and do something different at least one day a week. We may also want to plan on a few meals in rather than out every night. Since currently we are “trading in” to the place we stay (Sheraton Bougainvillea) there’s a possibility we can’t stay 3 weeks. Next year they intend to start a long awaited remodel of some of the rooms and it might limit how many non-owners they can have during high season. So, we have a few things to think about and decide. One way or another, we will be back to PV – not sure for how long, or where we stay, but we will be back.
