Once again we traveled to our favorite spot, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. It is our Paradise.This year, we invited family. Brad and Kaycie, with the littles, Hudson (6) and Grayson (4) as well as Lori and Andy. Andy has had a tough year and everyone thought it would be good for him to get some sunshine and relax and enjoy the beautiful sunsets, the great food, and the time with family that isn't stressed by all the hustle and bustle of everyday life back home. Between cancer treatments, and with DRs approval, it was just the medicine he needed.
On Saturday, February 8th, our flight from Seattle arrived about 2:30 pm, about two hours before their flight from Portland. We headed to our timeshare, the Sheraton Buganvilias Resort. We were able to get family a room several doors down from our room so we could help when needed. It also gave Andy a shorter distance to the lobby.
Speaking of lobby, last year when we came the lobby was closed off at the timeshare because they were remodeling it. This year, it was open and it was beautiful. There are now two restaurants, a fitness center and gift shop. They still don't have a coffee stand, which I really think would do a considerable amount of business. There is one at the hotel which is just a short distance.After settling in, I went down to the pool while Doug caught up on a few work things. Once the kids called to say they were on their way I went back so both Doug and I could meet them when they drove up.
That evening we took taxis to Senior Frogs which for the last few years has been our first night meal. It was great food, and a lot of fun. Afterward we walked along the malecon for a little while. Andy was not able to walk far with his walker, but he could stop and sit down when needed. We were all back to our rooms fairly early as it had been a long day for all of us.Each of our days were spent down at the pool, sometimes the timeshare one, other times the hotel pool. The kids both enjoyed the water and had fun swimming and playing with various pool toys. Andy would come down for awhile, have some breakfast and enjoy the sun, and the rest of us spent time in and out of the water. Andy usually went back to the room after lunch and rested until dinner.
Each night we went to a different place for dinner, and afterward we walked around for awhile before heading back. Sunday we went to the Marina and ate at Victor's, always a favorite with free tequila shots. The kids saw a crocodile as they were walking along the marina. 
Monday night we walked along the Malecon down to the spot we found last year, the family run taco stand Tacos el Bigotes just before the bridge heading to Old Town. Dinner was great, and cheap! On the way there we go to see the sunset which of course is always beautiful in paradise.Tuesday morning we went to Fredy's Toucan for breakfast then walked over to the glass store for souvenirs. Back to the hotel for pool time, rest time, etc. It was our 25th wedding anniversary so when we went back to our room to get ready for dinner, there was 25 silver ballots and foil streamers hanging in the doorways. That was a fun surprise from the family. The little kids even knew about it and hadn't said anything! Dinner that night was at el Barracuda.
Wednesday, Thursday and Friday during the day was spent by the pool until the afternoon, then downtown for dinner at Joe Jacks Fish Shack, la Dolce Vita for Italian and Cerveceria Union. Friday was Valentines Day and the Malecon had painted hearts that were fun. Saturday was the day that family was flying home. The week had gone so fast! Rather than go somewhere else for lunch we decided to try the new Pub 9-99 in the new lobby. The food was great with lots of choices. They had the typical pub fare (burgers, dips, onion rings, etc) but also other interesting things included fried grasshoppers. We didn't try those. After lunch it was time for family to head to the airport. Brad had a little bit of a stomach issue so he had a miserable flight home.
Saturday also was the day that we were moved to another room. For the first time we were given a room in the other building. Rather than our regular unit that had a bedroom two bathrooms and living room with a Murphy bed, we had a one bedroom, one bath with a large living room with couches, and a great balcony with a ocean view looking toward town. Beautiful sunsets too. We were able to arrange to get the room early so Andy could rest after they checked out but before they had to head to the airport. We were thankful that they worked with us on that. Saturday evening we just stayed in and enjoyed our room.Sunday I walked to the hotel for coffee then headed to the pool and Doug worked for awhile before heading down. I started to feel like I had a stomach bug so we decided to eat a light dinner at 9-99 Pub.
Monday night we had dinner at the Oasis Bay which is right on the Malecon, but we had never been there. The food was good even though I was still feeling like I had a little bug. As we walked around we saw that there was a celebration down by the amphitheater. The signage said it was Gala 2020. There were people dressed up in fancy clothes and most had face paint. We didn't quite get what it was about. It looked like it was some kind of dinner show.Tuesday we went back to the Marina and had dinner at PV Chan's. We had been there a couple years earlier but it was in a new, bigger location. Dinner was great and we will definitely go there again.
Wednesday we went to Joe Jacks again which is always a favorite, then Thursday we waited in line for about 1/2 hour for Cafe de Olla. There food is grilled and very good. I had a large piece of steak and Doug had ribs. We ordered the garlic mushrooms - oh so good.
Friday night we met up with Brenda and Carl Stace-Smith, who had flown in earlier that day and were staying at the hotel for 2 weeks. Since they had just gotten there we decided to eat at 9-99 again. It was our last night there and it was fun to give them some ideas of places to check out.Saturday it was time to head home... we got up and had breakfast at the hotel restaurant then just enjoyed our room as long as we could have it. Once again we reflected on the last two weeks and wondered if we should extend it in the future to three weeks. We love the weather, the food and most everything about it. We do want to try new places, but will always want to come back to our paradise.
